New poster

fiasco · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 11:52am

Okay, so I'm a new poster. I just ordered my NFHS rule books to begin studying for a spring qualification test so I can get some rec league/AAU games under my belt before next season starts.

I've been lurking for a week or so now and have come to learn certain things about being a part of the board:

1) If you don't know what you're talking about, you're gonna get trampled on, so know your stuff.
2) Jurassic Ref is always right. But when he's not, he still is. Just accept it and move on.
3) If you're not an official, you pretty much don't know what the he11 you're talking about when it comes to the rules and being a ref. (I would mostly agree with this one.)

Anyway, just wanted to say it's good to be here and I've learned a lot so far.

Here's my question:what are your TOP 5 pieces of advice you would give to a new guy starting out?

BEAREF · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 11:57am

Find a good mentor...
Read/study the rules and casebook...
Be willing to accept constructive criticism...
HAVE FUN...
Don't buy pants with belt loops

fiasco · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:01pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAREF

Don't buy pants with belt loops

Really? Never heard this one before...

JRutledge · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiasco

Really? Never heard this one before...

Yes really. Now some will agree but I equate officials wearing pants with belt loops as a football official and a baseball umpire wearing an adjustable hat. It makes you look like you cannot take the time to detail (IMO). If you cannot take the time to find pants that fit, you might not take the time for the many other things that requires a little extra time off the court.

Peace

fiasco · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It makes you look like you cannot take the time to detail (IMO). If you cannot take the time to find pants that fit, you might not take the time for the many other things that requires a little extra time off the court.

Interesting. So are ALL of your pants (officiating and otherwise) sans belt loops?

JRutledge · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiasco

Interesting. So are ALL of your pants (officiating and otherwise) sans belt loops?

Yes, all my pants are belt less. I have not worn belted pants since my first season. And half way through that season I bought a couple of pair of belt less pants.

Peace

fullor30 · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:13pm

Agreed...........good analogy. To tag on to that theme, the frayed belt never helps either.

tjones1 · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:16pm

Work as many games as possible
Ask any questions you may have
Find a mentor
Study Rules/Case Books & look the part (don't go dressed to games

)
Have fun

Rusty Gilbert · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 11:58am

Welcome. Sounds like you've arrived well prepared!

Don't over-officiate--trust your partners!
Always hustle--there's no substitute for being in the right spot at the right time and looking in the right direction.
Excel at working off ball, finding the angles, and refereeing the defense.
Treat everyone with respect, dignity, and courtesy.
Strive to be the wisest (rule-wise and common-sense wise) person in the game.

Jurassic Referee · #10 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:18pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiasco

Jurassic Ref is always right. But when he's not, he still is. Just accept it and move on.

When you've been here a while, you'll find out that Jurassic will be wrong every now and then, just like anyone else. And when Jurassic is wrong, he will admit it.

TimTaylor · #11 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:52pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

When you've been here a while, you'll find out that Jurassic will be wrong every now and then, just like anyone else. And when Jurassic is wrong, he will admit it.

Welcome to the Forum. Maybe.

And occasionally, he'll post a really funny picture of a rabbit with a pancake on his head!

SamIAm · #12 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiasco

Okay, so I'm a new poster. I just ordered my NFHS rule books to begin studying for a spring qualification test so I can get some rec league/AAU games under my belt before next season starts.

I've been lurking ...

Don't do mens/adult rec league games until you have a whole season of middle school games under your... I guess that won't work either as you are not supposed ot have a belt.

I will try again.

Youth rec league is fine, but don't officiate adult rec league games until you have officiated a full season of middle school games.

Dan_ref · #13 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 12:32pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiasco

Okay, so I'm a new poster. I just ordered my NFHS rule books to begin studying for a spring qualification test so I can get some rec league/AAU games under my belt before next season starts.

I've been lurking for a week or so now and have come to learn certain things about being a part of the board:

1) If you don't know what you're talking about, you're gonna get trampled on, so know your stuff.
2) Jurassic Ref is always right. But when he's not, he still is. Just accept it and move on.
3) If you're not an official, you pretty much don't know what the he11 you're talking about when it comes to the rules and being a ref. (I would mostly agree with this one.)

Anyway, just wanted to say it's good to be here and I've learned a lot so far.

Here's my question:what are your TOP 5 pieces of advice you would give to a new guy starting out?

Let's start with the top 1 advice.

Learn to keep your mouth shut. Really.

Good luck with your aau games, you're gonna have fun.

Vinski · #14 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 03:56pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Let's start with the top 1 advice.

Learn to keep your mouth shut. Really.

Good luck with your aau games, you're gonna have fun.

Looks like fiasco should have taken Dan_ref's advice.

Splute · #15 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 07, 2007, 05:34pm

I too am new to officiating. Volunteered to ref the Upwards league at our church. As with everything I do; its all or nothing. So after studying the Upwards rules and noticed they use NFHS rules (with some modifications), I bought several of the NFHS books and have begun studying. I am having a blast and would like to get certified. I think I would enjoy youth leagues and maybe, futher in the future some High school games. But what are the steps I need to take just to get certification? I have found my district and sent emails to the secretary, but no response yet. I would like to be able to teach the other volunteers proper mechanics and rules before next season and I believe certification would go along way in getting their participation. I would appreciate any help you can provide for TEXAS and I look forward to interesting rules discussions. I have already learned a lot just reading for the past several days.