Newbie and wish me luck

[Stinger]

Have my first ever HS games tomorrow and the next day. Needless to say I am very nervous as this is my rookie year. Any quick last minute advice for a newbie?

[Mark Dexter]

Get a good night's sleep.

Remember that the rules are the same as the junior high games you've been reffing.

Have a good pre-game. (This may be tough if your partner doesn't want to have one.)

Have fun.

[Back In The Saddle]

I totally agree about the good night's sleep. I hardly slept a wink the night before my first HS game, and I SUCKED. YMMV

Advice: Slow down. When you think you're going slowly enough, slow down some more.

Don't be afraid to talk to the players or the coaches. But do keep your replies to single syllable sentences.

The nerves will go away once the game starts. Once the toss goes up, it's just basketball (although likely to be a little better basketball than you've been seeing)

Have some fun

[Texas Aggie]

Act like you've been there before and realize nobody is really paying much attention to you.

Blow your whistle LOUD. That one thing makes most people think you know what you are doing.

[rainmaker]

stay in the moment. Don't get so busy trying to decide whether or not you did something right a minute ago, that you lose track of what's happening now.

Don't call anything you can't explain.

Have fun, or at least pretend like you're having fun.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Have fun, or at least pretend like you're having fun.

Spoken like a true wife.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Spoken like a true wife.

That's better than the other kind.

[mick]

Remember to pack your shoes.

[refnrev]

Congratulations! HS ball is faster and more skilled, which in some ways makes it easier to officiate because violations or fouls stand out more. Remember, your "jitters" can be used as a positive to remind you to do your best, stay in the game,etc. Focus on your area. Call your game. Know you have a partner or partners out there on the floor who will be helping every trip up and down the court. And remember, even the most seasoned official was a newbie once. Have fun and enjoy the excitement! Oh yeah, one more thing: Ignore the howler monkeys who are afflicted with stupidity and large vocal capacities.

PS: tjones1 would tell you to make your your pants are zipped!

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by refnrev

Oh yeah, one more thing: Ignore the howler monkeys who are afflicted with stupidity and large vocal capacities.

Certainly! I worked with a new official the other night who came to me to change a line call because the holler monkeys were yelling at him. No biggie, we had a little discussion after the game. He learned something that night. Learn from your mistakes, good luck, and have fun!

Report back to us.

[Scrapper1]

Good advice from everybody. Pre-game. Take a deep breath. Work hard!! Coaches can forgive a small mistake if they know you're running your butt off.

Good luck!!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by mick

Remember to pack your shoes.

Don't laugh......been there, done that.....more than once. I took to carrying 2 pair in my bag because of that....in case I forget to re-pack my shoes after I took them out to air and dry them post-game. Extra pants and a shirt are a good idea too.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Spoken like a true wife.

yours, maybe...

[SWMOzebra]

As a fellow newbie...all I can say is pre-game, pre-game, pre-game. And don't be afraid to ask for help from your partner on the floor if you need it. A well-timed glance in his/her direction can speak volumes

Good luck and have fun!

[Junker]

As I was told early on....pregame, call your area, make eye contact with your partner on every whistle, have fun...and don't take and sh*$ from the players and coaches. Make sure you let us know how it goes.