Found myself watching last night. (or not watching)

[Y2Koach]

as I tell my helpside defenders, "See everything in front of you, look but don't stare"... that might apply to this also.

[Dan_ref]

Having trouble watching? Maybe try this guy's glasses



Oh wait...you said you only wanted helpful comments. Whether the ball handler is being really pressured by the defense or it's just sort of token pressure then I'll focus on that alone typically. That's where the action is, if you divert your attention you just might miss something big that everyone else sees.

So the question back to you is why do you feel the need to wander away from where the action is?

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Having trouble watching? Maybe try this guy's glasses

You know, you should consider donating your specs to the local Lions Club for some worthy individual. They're obviously not doing much for you...

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

So the question back to you is why do you feel the need to wander away from where the action is?

I was once closely watching a dribbler/defender matchup; I had the perfect angle to see between them, I was watching for illegal hand checks, I had the pivot foot noted, man, was I set. The dribbler starts to take off, and all of a sudden, POW! the defender gets leveled by an illegal screen. Both the defender and screener hit the floor, and I hit the whistle. I was ready to report that foul.

Except...

It was a teammate of the defender that set the "illegal" screen. I look down, mutter a few choice words under my breath, tell everyone I have an inadvertant whistle and giave the ball back to the offense.

Moral: You have to see more than just the initial matchup. Maybe it's a matter of stepping back a little to see more. Granted, I agree the matchup should be your primary focus, but it shouldn't be your only focus. The only way I found to get better at that was to practice - during my own games and while watching other games. I think it is a skill, and like any other, it takes a little practice.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Moral: You have to see more than just the initial matchup. Maybe it's a matter of stepping back a little to see more.

Like the color of the jerseys of nearby players??

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Like the color of the jerseys of nearby players??

What?!? There were other players?!? They were wearing jerseys?!?

Exactly.

And, btw...oh, you know.

[SmokeEater]

I was given some advice regarding something similar to this. My situation was watching a matchup in the paint, I was starting to focus only on the posts when they were my responsibility. Another official told me that when I found myself in this postion (narrow focus) I could take a couple of steps backward, either away from the baseline if room, or out toward the 3 point line. Thus it broadens your field of view. I know it may sound wrong to actually move away from the play but it works. Then when you have something close down on the call.

[Y2Koach]

Originally Posted by SmokeEater

I was given some advice regarding something similar to this. My situation was watching a matchup in the paint, I was starting to focus only on the posts when they were my responsibility. Another official told me that when I found myself in this postion (narrow focus) I could take a couple of steps backward, either away from the baseline if room, or out toward the 3 point line. Thus it broadens your field of view. I know it may sound wrong to actually move away from the play but it works. Then when you have something close down on the call.

It's called perspective. Ever notice how you see every call in the stands or on TV but when you are 8 feet away, you miss things? you see more with a broader angle. When I used to ref, the first thing my instructor told me was to be close enough to see their hands, but be far enough to see what might happen on the next pass (i.e. screens, cutters). But that was a long time ago...

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I was once closely watching a dribbler/defender matchup; I had the perfect angle to see between them, I was watching for illegal hand checks, I had the pivot foot noted, man, was I set. The dribbler starts to take off, and all of a sudden, POW! the defender gets leveled by an illegal screen. Both the defender and screener hit the floor, and I hit the whistle. I was ready to report that foul.

Except...

It was a teammate of the defender that set the "illegal" screen. I look down, mutter a few choice words under my breath, tell everyone I have an inadvertant whistle and giave the ball back to the offense.

Moral: You have to see more than just the initial matchup. Maybe it's a matter of stepping back a little to see more. Granted, I agree the matchup should be your primary focus, but it shouldn't be your only focus. The only way I found to get better at that was to practice - during my own games and while watching other games. I think it is a skill, and like any other, it takes a little practice.

Heh. OK, good point, maybe I went a bit too far (but really...who cares what you think anyway)

But it was a good picture, wasn't it?

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Heh. OK, good point, maybe I went a bit too far (but really...who cares what you think anyway)

But it was a good picture, wasn't it?

Well, this is where I get confused - do I tell you to STFU, call you a certain delicate spring flower, thank you for the picture (it did bring a smile to my face), or something else?

This PC stuff really confuses the heck outta me.

Maybe I just need to take a couple of big bites of turkey and cranberry sauce.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Well, this is where I get confused - do I tell you to STFU, call you a certain delicate spring flower, thank you for the picture (it did bring a smile to my face), or something else?

This PC stuff really confuses the heck outta me.

Yeah me too, but what I really don't get is why you would call me a Bearded Iris...?

Maybe I just need to take a couple of big bites of turkey and cranberry sauce.

Sounds good. I'm a leg man myself, although I'll never turn down a nice plump breast.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Yeah me too, but what I really don't get is why you would call me a Bearded Iris...?

Me neither, that's why I'm confused.

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Sounds good. I'm a leg man myself, although I'll never turn down a nice plump breast.

Either one, where you can just lick off the cranberry sauce...

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Well, this is where I get confused - do I tell you to STFU, call you a certain delicate spring flower, thank you for the picture (it did bring a smile to my face), or something else?

This PC stuff really confuses the heck outta me.

Lemme help....PC is my middle name.....

The correct sequence is "Thank you for the picture, Dan. Now STFU, you pansy."

An alternate sequence which would also be correct is "Thank you for the picture, Dan. Now STFU, you bald-headed, furry-nadded beaver."

Points will be given for both correct answers.

[jsblanton]

I thought the title may draw some attention.

[cdaref]

jsb-

That is a great thing to focus on. Staying aware of more than just the ball, the player with it and his or her defender is going to help you improve and move up.

I suggest talking yourself through things while you watch the ballhandler and defender, "screen coming, keep an eye out for that", those sorts of things. I found talking myself through things really helped. I do that in lots of situations--in fact just Monday night I was working with a newer ref about talking through free throw situations in a scrimmage we were working: Talk yourself through the situation to set it in your mind. For instance, as you are about to administer the free throw, say to yourself: "Blue is shooting, so if white violates it is a held whistle call, if blue violates kill it." I find that really helpful. Just try not to talk outloud

Once you start making off ball calls in your primary you will really start to feel like you are officiating And the senior guys will notice. If you get a good illegal screen call off-ball, any senior official will see that and realize that means you are improving.

If you played ball, it is the same kind of court awareness from being a player. You are sizing up the D on you but staying aware of your cutting teammate. Same thing. You are watching the ballhandler and defender but thinking to yourself that a screen is likely coming, etc. They say "referee the defense, think like the offense." Part of that is anticipating what the offensive player will do and what the offensive teammates will do--screens, cuts, etc. Dont anticipate calls, but anticipate where the play might go so that you can be ready to make any calls.

Good luck and I hope that helps! Its a good question to ask.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by cdaref

Dont anticipate calls

I anticipate calls all the time. When I see certain coaches come into the gym, I anticipate that I will have a T or two before long. Usually it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.