How long to master?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Splute

how long does it take to master officiating? or do you ever really get there? What are realistic goals to set for one's self regarding knowledge of the rules, mechanics, etc?

My own opinion is that it takes at least 5 years before you really have a good handle on what you're supposed to be doing. Then it gets harder.

The rules and the game are constantly evolving. As an official, you have to evolve with them. Your evolution only stops if you let it.

[JRutledge]

You never master it. Officiating is an evolving process. Every year something changes whether it is rules, philosophy or mechanics. It takes time to master even the most little things and even then you make mistakes.

If you think it takes only a few months, you have a lot more to learn based on some previous posts.

Peace

[Splute]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

If you think it takes only a few months, you have a lot more to learn based on some previous posts.

Peace

No, I have no rose colored glasses on that. I wanted to know how prepared those in the know would say I would be in three months if I really worked hard. I do not want to waste the instructors or other participants time. If I needed to wait longer and attend other classes then that is what I would do.

Thanks for all the responses guys.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Splute

No, I have no rose colored glasses on that. I wanted to know how prepared those in the know would say I would be in three months if I really worked hard. I do not want to waste the instructors or other participants time. If I needed to wait longer and attend other classes then that is what I would do.

Thanks for all the responses guys.

Going to camps is a great idea. Just make sure the camp you're looking at caters to your level. If you're just starting out, you don't necessarily want the NBA tryouts. But there are many camps geared towards beginners; that's the place to talk to the instructors and other participants.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Splute

No, I have no rose colored glasses on that. I wanted to know how prepared those in the know would say I would be in three months if I really worked hard. I do not want to waste the instructors or other participants time. If I needed to wait longer and attend other classes then that is what I would do.

Thanks for all the responses guys.

Let me put it this way. I have been doing this for a decade now. I there are things I do excellent. There are things I can do a lot better. This year I have just felt good about how I deal with coaches. There are still mechanics that I could get a lot better at. There are judgment calls that I can be a lot more consistent on. Either way it goes, I have to work hard every single night to work decent games. Some might say I am doing a good job, but I am only as good as my last game. I rarely walk away completely happy with the job I do. I am far away from mastering the game of basketball from the whistle side of the game.

Peace

[Splute]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Let me put it this way. I have been doing this for a decade now. I there are things I do excellent. There are things I can do a lot better. This year I have just felt good about how I deal with coaches. There are still mechanics that I could get a lot better at. There are judgment calls that I can be a lot more consistent on. Either way it goes, I have to work hard every single night to work decent games. Some might say I am doing a good job, but I am only as good as my last game. I rarely walk away completely happy with the job I do. I am far away from mastering the game of basketball from the whistle side of the game.

Peace

In my short time of officiating I have to agree that I walk away thinking I could have done better. When you are on the sidelines it seems like you can see everything, but when you are on the court and have a split second to make a call or the game passes you by.... then you recall not all contact is a violation.... and the 1000 other rules the fans and parents dont know... I never dreamed it would be so hard, but that is what makes it exciting to me. I can not imagine what the pressure of a HS V game would be. Blowing a rule in Rec play; no biggie. Blowing a rule in HS V; get a rope... As you implied, I think setting goals for the season is a great idea. How else can you improve? Works for Tiger, right?

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Splute

No, I have no rose colored glasses on that. I wanted to know how prepared those in the know would say I would be in three months if I really worked hard. I do not want to waste the instructors or other participants time. If I needed to wait longer and attend other classes then that is what I would do.

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I am sure you have soaked in a lot of knowledge this past year. Learning everything you can is certainly important - learning how to officiate will take a long, long time. Going to camps can certainly help that. I hope you aren't going to a D1 camp or anything that will overwhelm you. Who knows though, you may be a prodigy! No one can say "when" you "get" it - it just happens through years of hard work and study. After you "get" it - that's when you realize that you don't know JACK about officiating! Like someone said earlier, I try to learn new stuff all the time. Don't loose the ability to learn and never think you are better than you really are - if you are patient, you'll become a good official - good luck.

[Larks]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

My own opinion is that it takes at least 5 years before you really have a good handle on what you're supposed to be doing. Then it gets harder.

To that point - You have to also realize that you climb to the top of one level, then move up and its like starting all over. You are at the bottom and the climb begins again. Another whole set of challenges, politics, expectations, responsibilities.

Just when you really think you know whats going on - wait two years after you make varsity and look back. I promise you really had no idea yet.

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

My own opinion is that it takes at least 5 years before you really have a good handle on what you're supposed to be doing. Then it gets harder.

The rules and the game are constantly evolving. As an official, you have to evolve with them. Your evolution only stops if you let it.

I agree with the at least 5 years theory. I called rec ball before I joined a high school association 5 years ago, and I realized I didn't know much and that every game is a learning experience. Last year was my first year doing the GHSA state tournament, and I am currently calling in it this year.

With that said, I jumped in on this board last week or so just to read and keep my mind on basketball (rules, case plays, etc.) I still have mentors and I still go to their games to sit in on pregames and learn and watch. Going to camp EVERY year has also been in invaluable tool and I would recommend it. I say all this to say the best advice I was given was to be SPONGE. Absorb and learn as much as you can. Make every game a learning experience, and be able to receive constructive criticsm when needed.

[refnrev]

Every game out I am impressed by how much I have learned and how much I know. Every game out I am even more humbled by what still need to learn and what I do not know. When this stops happening, it will probably be time for me to get out. It is my less than humble opinion that the biggest obstacle tobeing great at anything is being good at it. Too often we settle for good instead of reaching to be great! Not an original idea, but one that I espouse.