How long to master?

[M&M Guy]

I think I probably speak for most when I say you never really master officiating. It is a lot more than simply knowing rules and mechanics. My feeling is it's a lot like playing an instrument. You or I might be able to play some chords and notes on a guitar, and we might play them using the proper mechanics, but I'll guarantee we won't sound anything like Eric Clapton.

It depends on what level you want to achieve, and how many games you do at that level. Each level is different, so as you move up the ladder you need to master the situations that occur at that level. The only way to do that is work more games. Sure, knowing the rules and mechanics is a very good starting point, but the good officials know how to apply them in the specific situation. I might know how to play an A sharp on a guitar, but only experience and practice can teach me how to play it at different points in the song.

So, practice, practice, practice...

[bgtg19]

FWIW, I thought I was a good official earlier than I was a good official. (Does this mean that, in the future, I'll look back on right now and realize that I wasn't a good official right now when I think that I am?) It doesn't take long to master rules and mechanics, if you're diligent about the preparation. It's the other stuff -- working with coaches, game management, handling unusual situations with aplomb -- that takes longer. It only comes with experience. Rather than "years," you might measure your progress in the number of games you've worked.

Anyway, I think I became a really good official about my sixth year. I then spent two years "at the top of my game." Confident, knowledgeable, etc. And I got lazy. I thought I knew the rules cold. But after I reached the top (my top, not THE top!) I didn't stick my nose in the book as often as I previously did. I thought I didn't need to. And I didn't need to ... until it turns out that I did. In my eighth year, I had a couple of experiences which really humbled me and from that point on I've committed to studying as hard now as I did when I was starting. It turns out that it's really helpful!

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by bgtg19

Rather than "years," you might measure your progress in the number of games you've worked.

I agree with this but for alot of people, they measure it in years. This will be my 5th year of working any kind of ball and I have reffed around 700 games (maybe more) and yet people think I am still new to the game because I just started reffing regular season HS games and college games. What do years have to do with it? You gain experience by working games, therefore I am with bgtg19 and think people should base your experience in games reffed not in years you have been working.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by btaylor64

I agree with this but for alot of people, they measure it in years. This will be my 5th year of working any kind of ball and I have reffed around 700 games (maybe more) and yet people think I am still new to the game because I just started reffing regular season HS games and college games. What do years have to do with it? You gain experience by working games, therefore I am with bgtg19 and think people should base your experience in games reffed not in years you have been working.

Working games alone is not what makes you good or gives you experience. I personally think it is the kind of games you work that mean more. Working a Men's league for example is not what makes you a better official if you are trying to gain experience at the HS varsity or college ranks. Not to say you cannot learn something from any game, but working a Men's league is not the same as a HS game with a packed house and playoffs, jobs and memories and school legacy is on the line (with the whole town watching). Another reason you cannot compare all levels of games, is because you are not necessarily required to go through all the motions of a regular game. You might deal with making calls, but you might not have the same clock concerns and rules situations that are created during a regular game. I do a lot of summer ball HS leagues and there is nothing similar about those games as the regular season.

Peace

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Working games alone is not what makes you good or gives you experience.

Old School has posted that he has officiated over 10,000 games in his 16 years.

'Nuff said!

[Kostja]

I have been refereeing since I was 17 years old. Now I'm 28 and I don't think I have mastered refereeing, even though I referee on a professional level in my country.

As many before me said, it is a never ending learning process. As you advance you will discover a new world in every league you set your foot into. It really is like that. Then, as you grow older, you will every now and then feel like something you thought you were doing really well in the past doesn't suit you anymore because your personality changes with time. And the behavioral patterns and solutions we discuss here are not always for everyone .

Regarding rules, this is the easiest part by far. You can master the rules in less then six months. If you can spend as much time as you say on reading the rule book, case book, interpretations, the discussions on this forum, old rules tests, and so on, you will gain excellent rules knowledge pretty soon. Applying the rules in a game situation is different though, because before you can apply a rule you have to be in the right position, see what you are supposed to see, and then make a judgment call. And what you see on the court is rarely as black and white as the text in the rule book.

Mechanics are a bit harder to master. That's because it doesn't help at all if you can recite what's written in the book. You have to get your body to do what you know you should do. And where can you practice this? Yeah right, in games only, there is no computer simulation to replace this experience. So, you either have to referee a lot of games to learn the mechanics quickly, or you can go and watch a lot of games. Another difficulty with mechanics is that it is impossible to write (and find) a book that tells you about the perfect mechanics for every possible situation. So, you will rely on what you hear from more experienced referees and on your own analysis of game situations where you were (not) in great position to make a call, were (un)able to communicate effectively with players/coaches/partners/table, and so on. Still, to master the basics is relatively easy, just referee as much as you can focusing on mechanics first (in scrimmages etc.).

I think that it is a great idea to go to camp after 6 months of refereeing and reading a lot because in camp you will get more and more competent feedback in a couple of days than probably during those 6 months altogether. So, you will be able to put to a test everything you have learned so far. Some things will get approval from observers, others won't. And they will offer you a lot of new stuff, often little things, from the large buffet that is know as officiating ... Go for it, enjoy it!

[Big2Cat]

I have been officiating since I was 19 and am now 38. There are always things to learn. However, I love officiating because of all the guys I work with. They are such good friends, and the camaraderie on the court makes all the crap from coaches worthwhile.

What is really funny, you will find, is that a lot of officials don't even know all the rules. They know the main ones, but when a tricky situation comes along they might get themselves in trouble. What is even scarier is that they consider me the "rules" guy. Then I come in here and realize all the things I still don't know. And you will find that as good as you get--in judgment, rules, mechanics, dealing with coaches--there is always somebody better. Aspire to be that guy in each area.

But more than that, have integrity, do what you say, call your partners and see how their lives are going, take an interest in their kids, be there when they need help outside the game. It is an awesome path that we have chosen and the people we meet along the way keep it fun. Don't forget all the other guys we meet along the way--some won't become your friends, but they still make it a great experience.

Anyhow, I digress. I am probably taking the next year (or years off) and I am finding that I won't miss the long drives, or the long nights, or the time away from home--but I will miss the guys I spend most of my nights and weekends with tooting the whistle and having a good time.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I think I probably speak for most when I say you never really master officiating.

That's because they change the ****ing rules every year!!

It is a lot more than simply knowing rules and mechanics. My feeling is it's a lot like playing an instrument. You or I might be able to play some chords and notes on a guitar, and we might play them using the proper mechanics, but I'll guarantee we won't sound anything like Eric Clapton.

Those who are gracefully aging might also think Wes Montgomery or George Benson but we...or they...get the idea. btw, did you know that both Roy Clark and Glenn Campbell were truly great guitarists? it's true, it's true...

So, practice, practice, practice...

Sounds like the answer to a riddle you might tell your daughter...

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

That's because they change the ****ing rules every year!! Those who are gracefully aging might also think Wes Montgomery or George Benson but we...or they...get the idea. btw, did you know that both Roy Clark and Glenn Campbell were truly great guitarists? it's true, it's true...

Sounds like the answer to a riddle you might tell your daughter...

Jose Feliciano, Chet Atkins, Andres Segovia...

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Andres Segovia...

Ahh...I knew he must've had a first name.

[Terrapins Fan]

It took me 2 months to Master the Art of Officiating, but I am a slow learner....

I am in my 7th year....I get a 50/50 mix of Varsity and JV. If I were Gods Gift to Officiating, I would be getting 100% Varsity and they would be calling me to do DI games, but they are not.

I learn something new every night. The best thing I ever learned, was to love it and have fun.

My partners used to have " Have Fun" I thought " Are they nuts? FUN????" If you ain't having fun, you're doing something wrong.

Have fun.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Jose Feliciano, Chet Atkins, Andres Segovia...

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Aww...looks like someone else needs a Valentine today. So:

A guy walks into a post office one day to see a middle-aged,
balding man standing at the counter methodically placing
"Love" stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over
them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying
scent all over them.


His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the
balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says
"I'm sending out 1,000 Valentine cards signed, 'Guess who?'"


"But why?" asks the man.


"I'm a divorce lawyer," the man replies.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

That's because they change the ****ing rules every year!!

How else can they justify the expense of getting the committee together every year without changing something.

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Those who are gracefully aging (i.e.:getting old) might also think Wes Montgomery or George Benson but we...or they...get the idea. btw, did you know that both Roy Clark and Glenn Campbell were truly great guitarists? it's true, it's true...

Heck, even Buck Owens was pretty good in his time.
I suppose I could've said B.B. King, or perhaps Segovia. I was going for mainstream...

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Sounds like the answer to a riddle you might tell your daughter...

And she's finally understanding that answer.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Heck, even Buck Owens was pretty good in his time.
I suppose I could've said B.B. King, or perhaps Segovia. I was going for mainstream...

Ya know, if you like BB King you need to check out Duane Allman. Before he was a famous dead rock star he was an outstanding sideman. There's an anthology album, check it out.