Getting Started
 

Once you get your mentor's old rulebook, I would go over Chapter 4 (Definitions) first and then continue with rules/chapters 1-3, 5-10. Once you get the definitions down, the other chapters build on Chapter 4. It is like the ABCs before building words. Like another official stated, start in the mirror in the bathroom or at a gym or dance theater. The more comfortable you are with yourself in the mirror, the better. Get as many games as you can so you can see the myriad of stuff that goes on in a game setting. Another important point in getting started is to get you some comfortable officiating shoes. Don't cheap with your feet regarding officiating. Basketball officiating is a moving avocation.

Michael

Here's another tip. To prepare yourself for dealing with coaches, I recommend the following.

Lock yourself in a closet and listen to eight hours of recorded howler monkeys screaming at full volume. If you can come out still sane, you are ready to ref.

An alternative to howler monkey recordings would be a Richard Simmons video. :p

But don't follow along if you watch the Richard Simmons video.