How long to master?

[Splute]

Okay it seems we have everyone from babyspanking new to gracefully aging on this forum; 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? I know I learn something new everyday on this forum. Is 3 to 6 months realistic to have firm knowledge of the rules? the same for mechanics?

[REFVA]

I've been officiating for 7 years and I learn one thing every game I do. It's a constant learning profession.

[Zoochy]

Originally Posted by Splute

Okay it seems we have everyone from babyspanking new to gracefully aging on this forum; 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? I know I learn something new everyday on this forum. Is 3 to 6 months realistic to have firm knowledge of the rules? the same for mechanics?

3 to 6 months??? You're joking, right? I played way back in High School. I thought I knew rules. Yea right. So, I became an Official. I am not sure how many classes or the hours of each class, but we read EVERY rule and discussed each rule. Then a few more classes on Mechanics and On Court movement. Now I'm ready! NOT!!!
You need many years of court experience. Read every rule every year. When you are not working, then go watch a good game. Watch the officials.
Talk with officials about strange plays. Ask them what they saw and why they made the call. Group discussions are very healthy.
If you have been reading these posts all season, you will notice that some of these situations stump a lot of officials.
Good Luck

[Splute]

Originally Posted by Zoochy

If you have been reading these posts all season, you will notice that some of these situations stump a lot of officials.
Good Luck

You are dead on. Those stumps have been great to read! I will be going to camp in three months so I was curious how prepared I would be if I continue to read the books every night, watch games, read this forum and then repeat.... repeat... repeat...

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Splute

Okay it seems we have everyone from babyspanking new to gracefully aging on this forum; 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? I know I learn something new everyday on this forum. Is 3 to 6 months realistic to have firm knowledge of the rules? the same for mechanics?

You may get a lot of opinions here and each one is going to depend on the individual.

I've done Rec games for several yrs, but just started doing MS, JV, HS games this yr. Like you, I learn something new every game and watch my senior partners closely. My mechanics have gotten a lot better, but my knowledge of the game has a long way to go. Every time I come to this Board, I find out just how much I DON'T know. While I feel 100% better about my game than I did when the season started, until I can feel really confident in my case and rule knowledge and game management, which could be a while, I won't consider myself "there." I worked with an official the other night who managed the game very well. I watched her closely and strive to be as calm, cool, and confident as her. Good luck.

[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!

[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...