New poster

[dblref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You must not have been married very long.

Peace

I agree with fiasco on this point. My wife and I have been married 39 years, and I definitely prefer going home to her rather than out to the bar. Keep in mind that she does grant me a "kitchen pass" on occasion, but I don't use it that often.

[Time2Ref]

Very interesting........VERY interesting.

Not one rule discussed here, yet many valuable things to learn about officiating.

What have we learned so far?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Time2Ref

Very interesting........VERY interesting.

Not one rule discussed here, yet many valuable things to learn about officiating.

What have we learned so far?

Officiating is not all about rules. Actually most of officiating has nothing to do with rules. But you knew that already right?

Peace

[archangel]

Fiasco, you've been given some good advice so far. The experienced ones here are giving you their viewpoint from a Varsity level, which is good.
Being a new ref means working grade/middle school ball (mostly), usually 2,3, or 4 games in a row at the same location, sometimes w/a veteran, usually with a newer guy. You can pick their brain before, halftime, and after about sichs. Ask for constructive advice.
In our area, we arrive dressed (well, I do change shoes) for non HS games, as the only place to change is usually in the boys restroom (no hooks, shelves ect-only non-sanitary floor)
Coaches at the lower levels (usually coach/dads) dont know the rules that well. Dont take abuse, but also dont take a coaches comments personally- act as a professional (minimal emotion).
Ignore the fans, oh, and also,- IGNORE THE FANS!
Reread the rules and casebook throughout the season.

[rockyroad]

I'm not really one of those people that "goes out" with the refs very often either...I like to get home to my wife and three sons and spend time with them...however, when I was younger and trying to "move up" I realized that the social aspect had a huge impact on my position within the association. So I made compromises with my wife and kids and sacrificed some time with them...at this point in my life/career I can look back and see both the positives and negatives to those compromises...would I do it again - yes. Because those sacrifices (which really in my case were only every other Friday evening after games) helped me get where I am...like it or not, there is a lot of "politics" in officiating, and to be successful, sometimes you have to play that game - I just like to think that I manipulated the game somewhat to my benefit.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

I'm not really one of those people that "goes out" with the refs very often either...I like to get home to my wife and three sons and spend time with them...however, when I was younger and trying to "move up" I realized that the social aspect had a huge impact on my position within the association. So I made compromises with my wife and kids and sacrificed some time with them...at this point in my life/career I can look back and see both the positives and negatives to those compromises...would I do it again - yes. Because those sacrifices (which really in my case were only every other Friday evening after games) helped me get where I am...like it or not, there is a lot of "politics" in officiating, and to be successful, sometimes you have to play that game - I just like to think that I manipulated the game somewhat to my benefit.

I want to make this clear (I am not picking you Rocky, just want to make a point). It is not a prerequisite to be a good official to go out. The point I was making earlier about this, was the fact that many things can and will be discussed after the game. There are people that will be at these "social events" you will not likely see during the season or talk to during the season. There might be someone at these events that can help you either directly or indirectly with a contact or an opportunity you might not have ordinarily received. It does not mean you cannot get to the same place without this help, but when someone can put a name with a face or look you in the eye, it is much better than having a cold conversation over the phone. We could take officiating completely out of this and talk about running a business or in a sales job. Many decisions are made out of the office or out of the board room. Many decisions are made on the golf course, at a banquet or at the bar. I know I tend to make contacts with others somewhere else than on that court or in the locker room. You do not have to go out at all and still be successful. You just might not be where people are to ask you first. Or to give you contact that will send your career soaring.

I will be at an association run social on Friday. Usually there are D1 Officials, State Final Officials, multiple playoff officials and a couple of assignors of either conferences or tournaments. Anyone attending is going to benefit if they simply introduce themselves to one of these individuals.

Peace

[Kostja]

Interesting discussion. I do agree that it helps a great deal to talk about situations, calls, etc. after games. But why is it not part of your regular routine to sit down with your partners for 15 or 20 minutes after every game and talk about the key moments in the game you just worked together? I like going out and I like to hang out with other referees, but to analyse a game the perfect place would be in the lockerroom right after the game, from my point of view. At least that's what we do in Europe (and no, it is not highschool ball ;-), and yes, we use Feeble rules)

Fiasco, one more thing ... keep track of your games, write a game journal. Writing down things you want to work on in your next games, things you did well, and everything else that might be helpful. Being able to see the progress you make as you get more experienced could be a great motivation, too.

[tomegun]

Wow, between being out of town and other things I just looked at this thread.

1. I want to say this first. You are getting hit in the mouth hard in this thread. IMO, if you think you can be a caring official, without being a jerk at times and handling business - stay home with your wife because this ain't for you. This is competitive stuff and that is one reason why this banter goes back and forth so much.
2. I like hanging with my wife too, but she knows I love this (officiating). IMO, it is a must that the spouse be on board. She asks me how my games went as I come through the door, she will video a game if I ask her to, she will chart calls if I ask her to and she understands. I just joked with her at lunch that she hasn't seen me officiate since 2005 and she was like, "What are you talking about, I just saw you a couple of weeks ago." The guys in Vegas always talked about a wife or girlfriend lasting two seasons without incident (jokingly) because we are so addicted to this.
2. This board and going out with the guys will accelerate your game IMO. I'm in the military and I have to move occasionally. Practically all of my friends in Vegas and the DC area are basketball officials and not people in the military. Even my good friend from Phoenix started officiating after we became friends. Don't cut off an opportunity to meet good people.
3. If you think you may want to do this thing and do it right, do things the right way from the start. That includes uniforms, rules, etc.

Welcome to the world of officiating. Unless you are a natural, which there are very few, you will get out what you put in.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by archangel

Fiasco, you've been given some good advice so far. The experienced ones here are giving you their viewpoint from a Varsity level, which is good.

This is not really true. Not everyone that gave advice is necessarily on the varsity level or above. My advice specifically had to do with any level of ball. What you wear, how you present yourself is not going to change that drastically from a grade school game to a college game.

Originally Posted by archangel

Being a new ref means working grade/middle school ball (mostly), usually 2,3, or 4 games in a row at the same location, sometimes w/a veteran, usually with a newer guy. You can pick their brain before, halftime, and after about sichs. Ask for constructive advice.

This also not completely true as well. Not all new officials start out at the grade/middle school ball. I know I had HS games before I had my license. I did happen to work middle school games, before my HS games my very first year, but the vast majority of my schedule was at the HS level and I worked middle school games to only get more experience. My experience where I live is not very different. Most brand spanking new officials work more HS ball.

Originally Posted by archangel

In our area, we arrive dressed (well, I do change shoes) for non HS games, as the only place to change is usually in the boys restroom (no hooks, shelves ect-only non-sanitary floor)

I also want to point out that this might be allowed in your area, but it is not allowed in mine. In my area and in most areas based on comments I have read on this site alone for years, it is considered unprofessional to come dressed to a game no matter the level. For one you need a room to yourself so that you will not come in readily contact with fans and other participants of the game. You cannot say this applies to everyone because it certainly does not apply to many areas. As a matter of fact, this is something your assignor or association should request.

Originally Posted by archangel

Coaches at the lower levels (usually coach/dads) dont know the rules that well. Dont take abuse, but also dont take a coaches comments personally- act as a professional (minimal emotion).
Ignore the fans, oh, and also,- IGNORE THE FANS!
Reread the rules and casebook throughout the season.

These are the only statements I can completely agree with.

Peace

[chartrusepengui]

From time to time I would go out and socialize after a game. I picked and chose those evenings out around the family schedule. Now that kids are older - every once in awhile we will socialize with the wives/necessary others following a game. This has really been a win-win situation.

We never go out and "socialize" when we have any distance to travel!!