New poster
 

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?

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:D

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

I understand your officiating pants are beltless. I'm asking about your everyday pants. Or do you wear your officiating pants to work, etc?

I only ask because I don't understand (probably because I've never owned a pair of officiating pants) why the standard belt loop pants are frowned upon. In modern society, belt-less pants are reserved for women and senior citizens.

Welcome!

1. Know the rules and don't be afraid to ask questions.
2. Find a mentor you respect who will help you become a better official.
3. Just like real estate...location, location, location - know where you're supposed to be on the court and how to move in relation the action for the best angle.
4. Work as many games as you can...there's no substitution for time on the court.
5. Remember, making mistakes is easy. Learning from the mistakes you make can be more difficult, but will make you a stronger official.

Good luck!

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.

Do you have a source for this information?

In officiating culture, there is a very real sense of style. It changes over time. For example, we used to wear shirts with a collar on them, like NFL refs. Now we wear V-neck shirts. We used to use lanyards that looped around the neck. Then we went to the Smitty lanyard almost exclusively. And now, the "noose" is coming back into style in some circles. And the style now, for most successful officials, is to wear beltless pants.

If you don't want to, you don't have to. But if you're going to strive to be a top official, you might as well start by looking the part.

Also part of the "look" is not to have facial hair or long hair. No jewelry or watch on the court either.

Welcome to the forum.

Frankly that is a weird question to me.

I do not wear knickers anytime in my regular life but that is what you wear during a football game if you are officiating.

This is not modern society we are talking about. Officiating in a particular sport is what we are actually discussing. You wear what is part of the uniform or looks like other officials at other levels. You do not see NBA Officials wearing a belt. You do not see NCAA officials wearing a belt. Frankly I cannot ever think of a single time when I have seen an football official or baseball umpire wear an adjustable hat, but you see people all the time wear baseball hats that are adjustable (I know I have a few in my closet).

You want to look like an official. You are not going out to work or what you wear when you are hanging out. I do not shine my shoes the same way in my regular life, but that is what is expected. So you do what is expected and what makes you look professional or you allow others to judge you negatively.

Peace

I can't believe no one mentioned the first rule of officiating:

Tuck your whistle in your jersey before you take a leak. :rolleyes:

I'm a senior citizen at age 37?? :eek: WOO HOO!! Discount for me at the local Shoney's buffet!! :D

Perfect. This is the clarification I was looking for. I try to pay attention to officials when I watched games, but I have to confess I've never paid attention to belts or lack thereof. Thus my confusion.

Thanks for clarifying and thanks for the warm welcome (most of you ;))

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

I don't think he likes you Scrappy.

We cannot compare the type of lanyard each official uses to what type of pants we wear. There has never been an abolition of wearing a neck lanyard to my knowledge ever. The reason people would wear the neck lanyard was because shirts had that little loop on them. Those are cool, but the loops have broken and ripped or the smitty lanyard for many became useless.

This is also not completely true. I have a mustache and have had one my entire career. I will say this, it seems like it is much more acceptable for African-Americans to wear mustaches rather than other races of people. There are several D1 and NBA Officials that happen to be African-American and wear a mustache. It is not acceptable in most circles to wear a full beard. Having said that, at the HS level and below, I see more facial hair than I ever do when working college or watching other high levels of basketball. Also it is acceptable to wear a wedding ring. But wearing a necklace that can be seen or a watch is not usually acceptable, but I do see officials wearing them from time to time. Funny thing is you usually do not see this from officials that are used to working deep in the post season or work any college ball.

Peace

A lot of this is personal preference. I don't wear any jewlery, no facial hair, and no tatoos showing (that one was coming soon). As a new official, look around at the good officials in the area. If they aren't doing some of these things, you might want to consider that a good model for you. Other than that, all advice so far has been sound. One nugget not mentioned is that as the new guy, always offer to buy the first round after the game.

And the crucial final equipment check before you leave the locker room.....Fly - Whistle - Patch :eek:

Crap. I don't think this bodes well for me as I'm kind of anti-social and just like getting in, doing my job, and going home to my wife. I'm not a big fraternizer.

Nor has there ever been an abolition on belted pants. The situation is exactly the same. It's a question of style. If 95% of D1 officials suddenly went back to belted pants next season, so would most of the rest of us. This is exactly what happened with pleats and the new wide-stripe shirt. The lanyard is exactly the same kind of situation. Pure style.

Agreed. But even more acceptable is not to have any facial hair at all.

FWIW I do have a goatee. I actually offerred to shave it (over my wife's objections) to two very respected assignors, when I first started out. They both told me there was no need.

As for fraternizing, thats a tough one and may vary from area to area. Around here, if you want to advance to the varsity level, you will need to be known. You will need Varsity guys to talk you up to the conference assignors. Unfortunately, there is some politics to it. While its not quite as required as having to bribe everyone with foamy adult beverages; you are entering a pretty special fraternity and need to let everyone see whether you pass the foxhole test...you know, will they let into their foxhole when the bullets start to fly. Going to the association banquet. Attending all the meetings. Going out those couple of times a year when everyone agrees to meet at Quaker Steak & Lube. I would encourage you to do that. If you never go out, it will be that much harder for you to earn the trust of the veterans.

You'll learn more after the game over a beer/diet coke(:rolleyes:) with the guys than you will at most meetings, especially if your partners are experienced, solid officials.

Well said. Before I worked varsity, I'd work my lower level game and go watch veterans I knew. After the game, on Friday nights we would go have a beverage or two and I'd sit in the corner, listen and ask questions. Its a great way to learn!

Sigh. I guess this is the part where I decide how serious about this I want to be. Not with regards to learning the rules of the game and becoming a good official, but with regards to advancing as far up as I can.

I know most guys are different, but I'd just much rather be at home with my wife than hanging out in a bar with some relative strangers. Perhaps that will change as I get more into it, though. I see your point.

Obviously family is more important. You will find that officiating is like anything. If you truely want to excel, it is going to take a time commitment.

I did not say there was an abolishment of anything. Actually you can wear anything you like and technically fit the uniform. There are just things that are much more standard and if you wear those standards, hardly anyone will ever complain about that item. Belt less pants fit are an acceptable standard.

Once again, that depends on who you are. I have had a mustache my entire career and I have never had anyone say anything about it. It has never appeared to hurt me work anything. I will just reference Danny Crawford (NB), Donny Gray (D1 and sometimes cuts his off), Gerald Boudreaux (SEC Supervisor of Official and Final Four Official during his career). Most African-American D1 Officials seem to wear a mustache and this includes the ones that work the Final Four and other NCAA Tournament games. My point is this is not a deal breaker issue.

Peace

You must not have been married very long. ;)

Peace

I find it oddly disturbing that this is the reaction I always get when I make a statement like that.

What can I say? I love my wife and she's smokin' hot.

Fiasco, it was a joke. And that fact that you said she is smoking hot tells us that you have not been married long at all (this is also a joke). :D (See the smiley face after the post. This usually means someone is joking, since you are new and all.)

Also some of the best teaching of officiating goes on after the game is over or at the local bar or restaurant. This does not mean every single night you work you must go out, but if you want to learn the ins and outs of officiating, I would not be so quick to dismiss this practice. Sometimes a recommendation or vital information will be given at on of these establishments. Remember, you did ask what you needed to know to become a good official.

Peace

That's fine. But you weren't listening.
A lot of knowledge is gleaned right after a game, while the numbers, faces and actions are still clear in many minds.

In the original post you asked for "advice you would give to a new guy starting out". It was offered.

• Bearef offered: Be willing to accept constructive criticism...
• SWMOzebra offered: Remember, making mistakes is easy. Learning from the mistakes you make can be more difficult, but will make you a stronger official.
• Dan ref offered: Learn to keep your mouth shut. Really.
• Junker offered: One nugget not mentioned is that as the new guy, always offer to buy the first round after the game.
• Ignats75 offered: Going out those couple of times a year when everyone agrees to meet at Quaker Steak & Lube. I would encourage you to do that. If you never go out, it will be that much harder for you to earn the trust of the veterans.
• Jurassic Referee offered: You'll learn more after the game over a beer/diet coke(:rolleyes:) with the guys than you will at most meetings, especially if your partners are experienced, solid officials.
• Junker added: After the game, on Friday nights we would go have a beverage or two and I'd sit in the corner, listen and ask questions. Its a great way to learn!
• Rut offered: Also some of the best teaching of officiating goes on after the game is over or at the local bar or restaurant. This does not mean every single night you work you must go out, but if you want to learn the ins and outs of officiating, I would not be so quick to dismiss this practice.

There it is. Believe it.<!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- / message -->

Thanks. I do understand this as it has been explained to me.

All I'm saying is that I'm not much of the going out and drinkin with the buds kind of guy. If that means I won't move up the ranks as fast, I'm either going to have to rectify that by going out now and then or being content with where I'm at. That's just a decision I'll have to make personally. I'm not trying to FIGHT what you're saying at all, and I trust your judgement, I'm just saying it might not be for me.

fiasco,
Do your game and go home to your wife. These guys are just messing with you. This board is filled with a lot of people with wierd senses of humor:eek: and a lot of people with no sense of humor at all! :mad: Good luck on the upcoming season and welcome to the fraternity of zebras.
Now, as for pants..... I have never been a fan of beltless pants, but will be wearing them next year for the varsity games. But, if you're just starting out and working all low level stuff it makes no difference... and truthfully doesn't even make any sense to go out spend 60 - 70 bucks on a pair of referee pants. See if you enjoy it first, then you can upgrade on the equipment. As for your comment about never noticing someone's pants, only a group of referees will. Worry more about rules and calls first. Then get you some good Cliff Keens, Sansablets, Honigs, or Smittys down the road.
But if you wear a size 36 waist tjones1 will have a deal for you on Honigs pants!

I have heard this directly from the mouth of a veteran D1 official. It is accepted for African-Americans to wear a mustache. I would say the same thing applies for African-American female officials having tightly wound corn-rows or braids (I know one who did this and I asked her if her supervisors objected), I doubt a White female official would be allowed to show up looking like Bo Derek in the move 10. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, I'm just saying that it is.

Being that I am half-Black/half-White, I don't know which set of rules apply to me. :D

A lot can be learned just listening to war stories.:cool:

I think you might be misunderstanding. It really isn't (or shouldn't be) the socializing that helps you move up the ladder. It is being good at what you do. The conversations that can be had with veteran officials will help you learn the game in a different way and often much faster than if you are just feeling your way on your own. If you're not the hanging out with the boys kind of guy, make sure you go to your association meetings (if there is one). If that doesn't work, find a mentor and take he and his wife out for dinner. There is no substitute for experience, but you can get through a lot of early pitfalls by drawing from others who have been there and done that.

No one said anything about "moving up fast." We told you that there are things that are discussed that will help you in the long run. Either way it goes you will have to spend some time away from your family if you decide to officiate. I know I work a lot less than many officials on and off this board and I am not married or have a family to worry about. But I do go out every now and then to officiating socials and I occasionally go out with some partners I work with. Usually this is less than 5 times the entire season and most of the times is when the post season is going on (there are more get togethers at that time). These events are never required and not everyone attends. But many advanced and unusual situations discussed and this is where you learn how to deal with those situations before you ever experience them yourself.

This conversation is the very reason why many veterans do not even bother anymore. The more you try to help, you get some rookie telling you, "Ya but...." :rolleyes:

Peace

O...M...F...G

Do you understand that I'm not disagreeing with you? I'm not. I'm taking some of your wisdom and trying to apply it to my personal situation. What don't you understand about that.

My attitude has never been "Ya, but..." It's been "Wow, I didn't realize that was the case. I guess I'll have to re-evaluate my personal cost-benefit situation."

Look, I get it. I'm a rookie. I'm green. I don't know as much as you do. You've been around the block more times than me. I get that. God, do I get that. Thanks for reminding me.

This conversation is the very reason why I don't talk with people who don't have an elementary level of reading comprehension.

No, I'm not messing with anybody....and no, the other guys aren't messing with anybody either.

If you want to learn about officiating, the best time is exactly when Junker said. You learn after the game by listening and asking question from good, experienced officials in a relaxed enviroment. And if you want to advance up the officiating ladder, you had also better learn real quick that there is politics involved also. You have to network and show that your are interested, just like any other job.

Nobody is saying that he won't learn or advance as an official if he doesn't do what we've been recommending. We are telling him that he will not learn and advance nearly as fast as if he was going out and meeting with the other officials after a game.

The choice is obviously up to each individual.

Sorry.

Obviously some of us who were trying to give you advice don't meet your standards. We won't bother you in the future.

Bye-bye.

Well said JR. Like with anything, you aren't going to advance if you aren't prepared to put in the time and effort. Learning from veterans, networking, training, these are part of any occupation. To achieve takes an investment of time and effort.

Thanks for the advice, JR.

CARTER!!!:eek: Bad Boy! Bad Carter!. Now go sit in the corner.:D

Actually, here's a very important piece of advice. Take Junker's advice and go out to dinner with your wife and a Mentor and his wife. Get your wife on board with your second career. If you have her buy into how much you want to do it. If she will come out with you once in a while and watch you work, you will have a valuable resource. Its one I wish I had cultivated more. But we have 6 kids (hey why do you think she kicked me out and sent me reffing?) so she can't come out that much. She cares about what happens, but without that perspective, its hard for her to comprehend what I mean when I describe that idiot HC from V!@$**$@! HS.

Junker's advice may be one of the best of this whole thread.

Geez, if I don't have elementary reading comprehension, I must have just wasted the last 50 minutes of reading class with my 5th graders. :D Maybe I should be at one of the smaller desks, of course there are times I wish I were.

What standards? All I ask is that my posts be taken for what they're worth and I not be labeled as some greenie who is telling the veterans they're full of ****. Why is that asking too much? Can YOU read?

Ignats - Now THERE'S the best suggestion I've seen all day.

Now that is certainly the most valuable bit of information on this thread!:D

fiasco, bottom-line is that if you plan on taking this avocation seriously you will have to add some referees to your social circle. You don't have to go to bars and strip clubs with them but you will have to, at some point, have some conversations with them away from the court.

Referees have cook-outs. Referee go to sit down restaurants. Referees mill around after association meetings and talk sh!t to each other.

You speak of associating with referees as if refs are some sort of alien species. Refs are people too. I bump into an NBA official regularly at PTA assemblies and have been to the same kiddie birthday parties as his wife and son. You can make friends with other officials without frequently the local sports bar.

OK, important bit of advice #2:

Learn to deal with people, especially strangers. No matter how stupid, misguided, wrong or even right their criticism might be learn to just ignore it.

Don't forget to buy a few fox40s................nothing worse than than sounding like a Lionel train as it circles the Christmas tree.

lol. Luckily I already have a few of those.

Nope, I'm like Jeff Rutledge, I guess. Obviously, I just don't have the necessary elementary level of reading comprehension either to carry on a proper conversation at your lofty level. So....I just won't try to in the future. Please ignore everything that I have written to date.

Good luck in your officiating endeavors.

WOW!

did anyone get the number of that freight train that just whacked me? :eek:


IM SORRY! :D

Good to know. Happy trails.

Listen Rookie, no one asked you how hot your wife was. No one asked you what a priority was. You asked for advice and people that have been around the block are giving you that advice. Just like any advice, you can take it or leave it. I have my games and opportunities, I do not need to give you anything. I just think you need to understand that you came here and wanted advice. You have had an outpouring of advice from people of all levels of veterans. There were even some people that that work college ball and have a state final in their resume.

I even teach a "New Official's Class" in one of my local associations. Everything that people have told you is pretty much right on and helpful. But frankly you are going to turn off the majority of those if every comment from you is a debate. Remember, you asked for advice for officiating. And before that you tried to throw a backhanded slap to someone that has been around here a lot longer than you have. If that offends you by the response you have received, then you will have a hard time officiating. Now we want you to stay and hopefully prosper as an official. But enough with what your wife looks like and what general society thinks about our uniform. We are telling you something to make you better in the long run. You do not have to take anything we say, but understand we have all been where you are right now and we are not trying to give you information so you fail.

Peace

That's just a longer way of saying, "yeah, but..."

And, that's my answer (advice) to your OP.

Looks like fiasco should have taken Dan_ref's advice.

Here is the best piece of advice I have been given on this board.

If you ask for help, or advice, or information on this board. Take what the people have to offer, evaluate it, decide whether that information is usefull in your situation. If so use it, if not dont. But always say thank you for people taking the time to post information in regards to your questions.

Yeah, but.

:) <font></font>

Another thing I suggest, don't comment on the OJ Mayo ejection to Jurassic:rolleyes:

Actually, that was the inspiration for my "things you need to know" #2.

Great advice here, I took this exact same approach getting my wife involved taking her to games.. It's free!!!; she enjoys the popcorn and the pay check!!

Yeah, don't tell JR that the ref flopped and then pretend like you didn't.

No need for either of you to worry. I've got no use or time for back-stabbing fanboys masquerading as an official or newbies who don't know squat, don't even own a rulebook yet, but think that they know everything. That description covers the both of you. It's a waste of time trying to discuss officiating with anyone like you two.

Get together and have a party. You're obviously two of a kind.

You're more than welcome to ignore me then, brother. I had thought you said you were going to, but you're doing a pretty crappy job of it so far.

To clarify, however, I actually don't know everything. In fact, I thought I used to know a lot about basketball rules till I started reading this forum. I've got a lot to learn.

Thanks to those who are trying to help.

We call them the "Dollar Store". :rolleyes:

and have a thick skin,
and be able to take constructive criticism,
and learn who NOT to listen to.

To clarify, you don't know <b>anything</b>. You never will know <b>anything</b> either because you're too busy running your yap instead of listening and trying to learn. You don't even own any rulebooks yet and you've never officiated an organized basketball game in your life. Little facts like that don't stop you from running your big wise-azz mouth though. Personally, I think that we'd all be better off if you just stayed home with your hot wife until you grew up enough to realize whatinthehell you're getting into.

It's obvious that you don't really want to learn. You're just here to troll.

New Too
 

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.

[QUOTE=Jurassic Referee]To clarify, you don't know <b>anything</b>. You never will know <b>anything</b> either because you're too busy running your yap instead of listening and trying to learn. You don't even own any rulebooks yet and you've never officiated an organized basketball game in your life. Little facts like that don't stop you from running your big wise-azz mouth though. Personally, I think that we'd all be better off if you just stayed home with your hot wife until you grew up enough to realize whatinthehell you're getting into.

It's obvious that you don't really want to learn. You're just here to troll.


GGRRRR!!

Ha, you guys are passionate about your biz. Thats great! Sorry I stepped into the middle of this one tho...

Fiasco -

I consider myself anti-social as well (also a newlywed). For what it's worth, I've socialized with officials that I do not already work with/am friends with a total of 3 times in 6 years (in 3 sports), and I've had no problem moving up through the ranks. I've been lucky enough to be in two associations where my performance speaks for itself while on the court/field, and games with/being watched by important veteran officials/assignors/board members has always carried most of the weight in getting my name out/up. So it depends largely, in my experience, what type of system is in place where you are going to be working.

That all being said - I do not act at all anti-social when I attend meetings, scrimmages, camps, games that I'm not working,etc. and games I am working. And I attend as many of those as possible (I attend every meeting and every optional scrimmage for every sport I work) - being seen often, once people start to learn your name, and having intelligent things come out of your mouth when being seen also goes along way. So keep enjoying your time with your wife. I do.

I use this forum and a select group of old friend/good officials via email to get my situational/discussion experience (and discussions at meetings).

And definitely beltless. And pleated. And welcome.:)

Observe Really Good Officials
 

Observe really good officials. I've been officiating for twenty-six years and I still try to attend as many league or conference playoffs or state tournament games as I can work around my schedule. The best officials on your local board, or in your state, are usually selected to work these games. Go and watch them. Luckily for me, my local IAABO board card gets me into league and conference playoffs for free, and my Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) card gets me into all state tournament games for free.

Thanks for sharing and for the information you've provided me. There are actually a lot of posters, including you, that I have learned a lot from. I've found your insights on several threads to be very enlightening.

Both are untrue. Sorry to disappoint you. Have a great day.

In Texas there is not really a certification process - to be a member in good standing with TASO (Texas Association of Sports Officials) you need to pass a rules test at the beginning of the season. Just read all the NFHS rulebooks, learn the mechanics (NFHS Official's Manual & I'd recommend going to a few HS games while you still can and watch the officials), and continue reading this forum, lots of goof stuff here.

www.taso.org has information if you want to contact your local chapter

You might start with your state high school association. The OHSAA has a link in their website called "So you want to be an official". In Ohio, you take a written test twice. When you get your Class 2 license (which allows you to work up to and including the JV level and again when you get your Class 1 license which allows you to work Varsity games. You might also consider finding out where the referee schools or classes are. Contact your local referee's association and I'm sure they can direct you t o one. Schools are the best way to go, because they will give you the background and foundation to build your avocation without all the bad habits that come about from refereeing in REC level and Church League type games.

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.:)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These are the only statements I can completely agree with. ;)

Peace

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!!
:)

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

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.

Great advice. Thanks, Kostja.

Where did you read where someone said they did not do this? Maybe I am speaking for myself, but many games I am taking a shower and getting dressed. That usually takes more than 20 minutes based on the locker room facilities. Who said not to do this or we did not do this already?

I do not know about you, but I do not want to spend an hour or 2 sitting in a locker room (especially HS locker rooms) talking about everything having to do with the game. In my experience much of what is discussed about officiating is not limited to the game you worked that night or anything that will not be a long drawn out conversation.

Peace

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.

Hanging with the wife
 

I can't imagine this avocation not affecting the wife in a very short time. I don't know many wives who aren't selfish about their husbands being out enjoying themselves (yes working can be fun) while they are stuck at home (their words not mine). I know just playing golf sets mine off. Perhaps there is a happy median between these two? :confused:

Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am!

Heavy sigh..... LOL

You are right. Nobody said anything like this.

You are right again. When I refereed a couple of games in HS in Canada I also didn't want to stay in these locker rooms longer than necessary ... Now, let me say "Yeah, but ..." Let's assume, that not all referees are as passionate about learning the game, talking to other officials, hear war stories, and so on, as you and I, and hence don't go out with other officials after their games ... Now, in order to analyze the game together, which I think helps a lot and at least on a "professional" level should be required(!), the referees should sit down in the locker room and go over the key moments of the game ... Agreed? For those of us who can't get enough of officiating and/or who are lucky enough to have family that gives us never ending support, great, go out have a beer or two and chat the night away :cool:

Let us not make this too complicated for some rookies. All any of us said is that on an occasion you might want to take advantage of talking to officials in a non-threatening, non-time consuming manner. If you like spending more time with your wife or children, that is OK. The fact is when people are sitting around in these environments, they tend to talk more openly about things that got them where they are or what it might take. Or they talk about stories of days gone by that might help someone learn from a good or bad experience. Sometimes you might just learn who the good and bad officials are and whom you have to watch out working with. It does not mean not knowing these things are the kiss of death to your career. Personally I did not think this issue was that big of a deal. It was just something that has made many of us here better and in many cases we have passed up people that only cared about the check they received for the game. Just like any advice, take it or leave it.

Peace

Talk about beating a dead horse...