New official

[Bearfanmike20]

Hey guys... I'm a new official.... Just starting out.

I got a guy I work with who has been in the games for 30 years.. he's gonna be my mentor...

Any tips you guys have for a newbie??...

Thanks in advance.

[Splute]

Welcom Bearfanmike20.... you came to the right place to further your knowledge of the game. There is no substitute for on the floor learning or camps, but when it comes to the rules; this is the place.

[M&M Guy]

Listen.

Ask questions, then listen some more.

Have fun! (I know, sometimes it's hard to remember this part when coaches are screaming at you, but it's important.)

[Mark Dexter]

Every time you post an answer to a (rules-related) question, look it up in the rulebook and give a rule reference.

[Mark Padgett]

Please note that some of the posts are humorous (or, at least attempts at being so). After a while, you'll catch on when someone is just kidding.

Except, of course, when discussing overtimes.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Please note that some of the posts are humorous (or, at least attempts at being so). After a while, you'll catch on when someone is just kidding.

Except, of course, when discussing overtimes.

or tucking in your whistle.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Please note that some of the posts are humorous (or, at least attempts at being so). After a while, you'll catch on when someone is just kidding.

Except, of course, when discussing overtimes.

Here's a hint: any posts by "Mark Padgett" will be lacking in humor.

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Hey guys... I'm a new official.... Just starting out.

Any tips you guys have for a newbie??...

Thanks in advance.

Welcome!! I remember when I first got started it seemed like yesterday.

I would suggest you get a notebook and identify things you would like to work on.

Do an AAR (After Action Review). What I mean by this is identify:

a. three things you did well
b. three things you did not do well on
c. three things you would like to work on in the future

Again welcome.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Any tips you guys have for a newbie??...

Don't be afraid to blow the whistle late. You see a travel. You hesitate. A coach or fan yells, "Traveling!" This makes you freeze. You think it's too late. It's not. Make the call. Get it right. This sequence did not take as long as it seemed.

A friend one described her own efforts at officiating: "It's like I'm deer hunting. I'm aiming the gun. I'm aiming the gun. I'm aiming the gun. By the time I figure out what I wanted to shoot at, the deer is already gone."

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by just another ref

A friend one described her own efforts at officiating: "It's like I'm deer hunting. I'm aiming the gun. I'm aiming the gun. I'm aiming the gun. By the time I figure out what I wanted to shoot at, the deer is already gone."

I love that description... LOL

Thanks for all the advice. I'll post again after my first game.