newer official, various topics
 

Brand new to this forum. Enjoy it alot. I'm looking for the best place online to order refereeing pants and I am also interested in the opinion of compression shorts vs. compression tights that a bunch of people wear.
Thanks for helping out a new guy.

Welcome to the forum! The purchase of gear will be based off the timeliness of the gear arriving to you and service provided. Pesonally, I purchase my gear from Honigs. Others will provide their preference. I wear both compression shorts (with shorts) and tights(with pants). They both provide comfort for me.

I most often purchased pants based on the quality of the pants, not just the service that I get unless I can buy the same pair of pants. I personally like the Sansabelt brand the best. Usually you can purchase these pants from just about any place that sells Referee gear. I personally buy from Gerry Davis for my pants. I like Sansabelt better than other pants, but I have bought the Cliff Keen version and those works well. I just think they are too thin and do not look as sharp. All of this is a personal choice and others could disagree with my point of on this.

I also always where Under Armor compression pants when I referee with long pants instead of shorts (regular season of course). I have not had any leg problems and they are very comfortable when working games. The Under Armor also keeps the sweat off of you very well and is not very hot either.

Peace

I wear Honig's pants and the McDavid compression shorts. I've had no problems with either. This is also the first pant style I tried. I've had no problems, therefore I haven't tried anything else. As the old saying goes; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Best of luck searching for your gear. If you are a new official, I recommend a Starter Package from a company that fits you (Honig's, Gerry Davis, Between The Lines, etc.).

Official's Apparel and Accessories
 

Look at +POS. Their website is www.pluspos.com. Also look at JC Penneys for SAnsabelt pants. Also don't be cheap when it comes to your officiating shoes. If your feet start to hurt or do hurt you won't able to do much officiating. Here is a list of stuff that possibly should go into your officials bag. I got it off a website some years ago and I have modified it to suit me but it gives an indication that are some "musts" prior to showing up for a game. This probably is for more advanced officials but as you advance you will have an idea of what others have in their bag.

WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK IN YOUR GAME BAG?

1. Clothing
A. Two pair of pants
1. In case the first pair rips
2. In case blood gets on the first pair
B. Black shorts
1. If your game pants rip, it should not be obvious to all
C. Black socks
D. Gym socks
E. Two striped shirts
F. Two T-shirts
1. Don't wear a t-shirt that has writing on it, as it can be seen
through your striped shirt
G. Shoes
H. Black belt, if your pants have belt loops
I. Black jacket
J. In reserve, you should always carry an extra pair of black and gym
socks, black shorts, and a t-shirt

2. Equipment
A. Store your game equipment in a secure container (i.e., Tupperware)
1. Minimum of two whistles of each variety (Fox 40 and Acme)
a. Should your partner not have a Fox 40, use the Acme)
2. Minimum of two lanyards
a. Keep the extra lanyard in your pocket with the extra
whistle
3. Rubber bands
a. If you use this for possession arrow
4. Inflation pin
a. In case the game ball has too much air
B. Pregame card and court diagram
C. Rule and case books
D. Date book
E. Bring contract for that game in case there is a problem

3. Miscellaneous
A. Shoe bag and shoe trees
B. Shoe laces
C. Shoe polish, brush, and cloth
1. Shape Up Military Style works very well
D. Towel
E. Soap and shampoo
F. Mouthwash and/or toothbrush and paste
G. Comb/brush
H. Hair spray
I. Shower slippers
1. When was the last time anyone cleaned the shower stall
J. Deodorant
K. Razor blades/Electric razor
L. Plastic bag for wet clothing



Michael

Where/how do you use/wear the rubber bands?

If you wear compression shorts or pants, you do not need a pair of shorts.

If you are into the game, you do not need anything for the possession arrow. This should already be in head which way you are going. Constantly moving around a rubber band or whistle looks silly. What are you going to do if you forget to switch one of these devices? Do you need a note pad to tell you who the shooter is after timeouts too? You should know this stuff on your own. If you need a tool like this, it will come back to bite you.

This is mostly a cultural and racial thing. I do not need hair spray and a lot of people that I know do not need hair spray. ;)

Peace

Oh you need hair spray.

For what?

Peace

Dan_ref doesn't need hairspray.

He needs hair.

I would say a minimum of 4 whistles. If your partner doesn't have a Fox40 (yikes!), offer one to him/her. Stick with the Fox40 regardless of what your partner does. If he/she declines your Fox40 offer, so be it, use your Fox40.

If you don't already do it, don't start doing it. Looks terrible on the court. Plus, whenever you make little Johnny take off his good luck rubber band, then he sees you with one, it doesn't set a very good example.

Agree...the FED issued a directive a while back about rubber bands. They're treated the same as jewelry; you can't play if you're wearing one. For officials, it's no different than wearing a watch. You just don't do it.

Man, it has been a long time since I posted, but I have been checking in recently. Anyway . . .

I wear pants from Official's Choice. I like the material, although you can't put them in the dryer. I get my shirts from them as well. The micro-mesh they have is the most comfortable fabric I have found.

I wear UA compression shorts, and UA baseball socks. I like the feel of the long socks.

I'm glad someone mentioned the whistles. Extra Fox 40's are a MUST. If you don't have one. . .get a dozen.

About the rubber bands, don't use them. If you MUST use something for the possession arrow, try an extra whistle in your pocket, and switch it accordingly. The best solution for the arrow is to do a good job of managing the game and monitoring the table, and it shouldn't be an issue. Of course, we all know the potential issues with volunteer table personnel, but a few mistakes now leads to valuable experience later.

The whistle in the pocket looks stupid too if you ask me. If you are into the game you will not need one. Do you need something to tell you when to tell you when bonus is taking place (other than the scoreboard)? If anything it looks like you are playing with yourself. It looks silly to keep pulling something out of your pocket and putting something in your pocket.

Peace

I agree with you 100%...no aids needed for remembering the arrow. Just know it or verify the table has it right after every AP throwin if you can't remember it.

I admit to being a gear junkie, but a dozen Fox 40s? Why? Do you bite through them? Tap dance on them? Frequently run over your gear bag in the driveway? I've never had one crack, split or break. They even go through the washer and dryer no worse for the wear. I will say that mine got rather full of gunk one game this summer (accumulated "mouth stuff" from a couple of years worth of use), but 2 minutes with a toothpick cleared that problem up. But I can see how a second whistle would be good there.

As for the partner without a Fox 40 (I'm guessing he doesn't have a single clue, let alone a second, back-up clue), carry a spare for him. Offer to trade him. When he hands over his Acme, crush it. Then smile and go on with your pre-game.

I also recommend carrying a Fox Pearl if you expect to work at any multi-court facilities. The sound is distinctive enough that the players on your floor will be able to tell your whistle from those on other courts.

Also, if you can't afford 2 pairs of everything, or the truck to haul it all in, pack a little sewing kit for emergency repairs.

I use the cushioned mouth guard version. They don't last as long because the cushion part gets all chewed up. I think I am going to go back to the regular ones this season. I had my first defective one this past week at a camp. It was a brand new Fox 40, and it sounded terrible. It was so bad, even the observer noticed. I had to switch it out at halftime. That is the only bad Fox 40 I have ever had.

I wear Sansabelt now, but I've heard good things about Honigs -- especially the athletic cut version (of which I have for football knickers). I will pick up a pair or two at our state meeting this fall.

Right now, I wear Underarmour heatgear long tights along with the v-neck tactical line of UA shirts. I will continue with the shirts, but am looking for tights that are a little more supportive (i.e., a little tighter. These tights do a great job of moisture management, but not as good on thigh support. I've never worn just compression shorts under my pants. For some reason it feels weird, as if my pants are falling down. Besides, if you pants rip at the knee area or below, with the leg tights, no one will notice. I've had a partner who's pants ripped in the calf area (how, I don't know) and I didn't even notice until after the game.

However, I did wear short tights under the UA tights at a recent camp. Still trying to get over a groin pull, but its getting a little better.

Yup, I do. I go through about two or three during the season, and another two or three during the spring, summer and fall. I've tried and tried to break the habit, but I just can't seem to stop. The CMG's are even worse than the regulars.

I like the idea of keeping a Pearl on hand for the multicourt facilities. great idea.

as long as fox 40's has come up, has anyone tried the new "dolphin" whistle available through Honig's?

I've been using the same Fox40 for 2+ seasons now and it's still in excellent condition. I do wash it with soap/water after every game to avoid the gunk build-up.

BTW, periodically I dream I'm officiating:) ...I blow my whistle, no sound comes out:( ...everyone looks at me:o ...I realize I'm naked and drowning and haven't done any homework all semester:eek: ...and then I...okay, too much info...take meds:cool: ...I'll be quiet now. ;)

http://forum.officiating.com/showthr...olphin+whistle
http://forum.officiating.com/showthr...olphin+whistle
http://forum.officiating.com/showthr...olphin+whistle

I tried it. It has more of a square shape for the mouth which I don't think fits comfortably and the sound is weird inside a gym. I will use it on a soccer lanyard, but not in basketball. Save your money... Stick with the original Fox 40.

Don't go looking back at the past postings.... these idiots on here think it is some type of electronic whistle, but it isn't. It just just another type of FOX40 pealess whistle product. FYI, this whistle is becoming more and more popular with FIBA refs.

Idiots?:confused:

Why come here if we're idiots?:confused:

Iow, take a hike.

Go away.

Shoo, shoo......

Which idiots would those be? The one who just graduated from George Washington University, and worked at the score table for their D1 basketball team all four of his years? The one who is one of the best writers to ever appear in the pages of the paid side of this site? The one who is assignor and interpreter for his local chapter? The ones who work D3 and D2 college ball? You need to be more specific.

The only reference to anyone thinking it's electronic is from someone who refers to a battery-operated thing, but that person clearly got the wrong site by mistake. No one else comes near to implying that.

How 'bout you hold the insults and be civil? You'd be surprised how much it doesn't have to hurt!

I wear compression shorts under shorts in the summer and the compression tights under the pants. I carry Static Guard because of static build up with the tights at times. I ordered my pants through SansabeltWorld.com. I had them within four days.

I used the Reebok knockoff until I went overseas. The Under Armor worked great in the desert under my uniform. The BX was constantly out of them. I figure if it works in 130 degrees, it'll work on the court.