Teen-age Officials

[fonzzy07]

I am a current teenaged ref. I am doing the high level rec games and am doing my fair share of middleschool games ie 7th, 8th, and freshman patch games. I read one section of the rulebook a night. I have also found that my first year when I wasnt as exicted about reffing, the simplified and illustrated version of the rule book helped. Right now I am working as many games as possible, reading the rule and casebooks, talking to other officials, watching other officials, and I plan to attend a camp this summer. I know I'm weird for doing this at such a young age, but I am a ref so I guess it makes sense.

[refTN]

Originally Posted by fonzzy07

I am a current teenaged ref. I am doing the high level rec games and am doing my fair share of middleschool games ie 7th, 8th, and freshman patch games. I read one section of the rulebook a night. I have also found that my first year when I wasnt as exicted about reffing, the simplified and illustrated version of the rule book helped. Right now I am working as many games as possible, reading the rule and casebooks, talking to other officials, watching other officials, and I plan to attend a camp this summer. I know I'm weird for doing this at such a young age, but I am a ref so I guess it makes sense.

Not weird at all, I attended my first camp as a teenager, if you are doing this at that young of an age then you have a passion for it and there is no problem with getting seen at such a young age. It can only help you. Alot of people say that the first impression is a lasting one, but as a teenager in a profession where alot of guys are alot older than you, the evaluators are going to be saying to themselves that you have plenty of years to be molded since you are so young.

[fonzzy07]

On that how do I start to get looked at? what do I need to do know to get the big games down the road?

[refTN]

Originally Posted by fonzzy07

On that how do I start to get looked at? what do I need to do know to get the big games down the road?

Getting the big games involves time, seeing plays, and having a good feel for the game. It will just happen if you are good enough.

To be seen, just go to camp, listen, and work your butt off, hard work pays off.

[tjones1]

Most important to me is the will to want to be perfect, even though I understand that isn't possible.

Asking as many questions as possible, reading this forum with all the various situations that occur, watching the varsity guys -- seeing their call, do you agree, if not do you see where they are coming from, and of course working the games so you can make mistakes and learn from them. As an official, I'm not worried about making mistakes, but I am worried about making the same mistake repeatedly.

[Back In The Saddle]

Maybe I'm the wierd one, but when I was a teen I would take the rulebook too literally. It wasn't until I grew up that I could understand how the rulebook was more shades of gray than black and white. That actually helped me a lot.

[SMEngmann]

My only piece of advice is to not worry about judgement right away, it will only come with seeing plays at different levels and with experience. Make sure you know the rules and that you're in the right place and looking in the right place first. A lot of the acceptance of the call has to do with where you are when you blow your whistle and how confident you look, in other words, your believability. Judgement will come, but make sure your mechanics are good, you look the part and you hustle.

[fonzzy07]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

Maybe I'm the wierd one, but when I was a teen I would take the rulebook too literally. It wasn't until I grew up that I could understand how the rulebook was more shades of gray than black and white. That actually helped me a lot.

Thats why i recomend the simplified and illustrated version. It has little cartoons. Most kids unlike me dont want to read anything let alone a rule book, but love comics. Its not as good as the rule book but it is a start.