HS Varsity

[Chess Ref]

I am in a Metro area.
We have about 110 schools we do.
I have my first ever officially assigned Varsity game tomorrow night.
I am at the beginning of my 4 th year.

[DonInKansas]

I live in a very rural area with lots of small schools (150-200 kids in a 7-12 grade building), and am in my first year of HS ball. I took an officiating basketball class and did some rec ball tied into that 6 years ago, but I am for all intents and purposes a rookie. That being said, they're so hard up for officials out here that I was called for a Varsity gig the other night. I turned it down, telling them that I was not state certified. I had heard that i would get calls like this, and frankly did not get certified this year so there would be no temptation to take a Varsity game. Sub-V I'm okay with, but I'm not willing to put myself or the teams through the brtuality that is a rookie ref learning the ropes. At least, not with me anyways.

[BktBallRef]

Don, you're a wise man. Don't put yourself in a position where you might fail until you're confident you can handle it.

I worked rec leagues for several years before signing up with the state association. My first year, I worked middle school and JV games. Then, I got a varsity doubleheader on the last Firday night of season. It was a result of making 100 on the NFHS exam, making somegood impressions, and staying out of trouble all year. The next year, I got a full varsity schedule and have ever since.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

It was a result of making 100 on the NFHS exam, making somegood impressions, and staying out of trouble all year. The next year, I got a full varsity schedule and have ever since.

The building blocks for success in officiating. Though I haven't gotten 100 on my tests yet, I did get 99 this year, which is about 1 above my average.

I'm a grinder in this officiating deal. I just keep plugging away. And now I'm getting better games.

[grunewar]

Similar to Don, I am in my 6th yr of officiating (rec), but my second with certification (HS). I live in a metro area with lots of opportunity.

I have done one regular season V game (private school) and several scrimmages. While several of my evaluators have said "with two senior partners I could do a V game," I am content to continue to learn from sr officials, become more competent and confident, and wait my time..... at least for a little longer anyhow.

[rainmaker]

I got my first assigned V games in my 4th year, and had a full V schedule in my fifth year. That's early for my association. Most don't get any V games until 5 or 6 and don't get more than 3-6 V games until 6 or even after. But I won't get any play-off games for another few years. There is a lot of competition here (Portland, OR metro area) for the best games, and I 'm nowhere near ready. This season would be my 8th, but I"m taking a leave of absence, although I may do a little rec just to keep my whistle from getting rusty.

[zebraman]

My story is real similar to BktBallRef

Worked some summer rec leagues for a parks department while in college. One of the guys who helped us ref was a certified official and he talked me into joining our local association a few years later.

My first year, I worked middle school and JV games. Then, they gave me a couple small-school varsity games (with strong partners) towards the end of the year after our assignor received some calls from veterans in regards to my progress.

The next year, I got a full varsity schedule with our smaller schools and then our a "big school" varsity schedule the year after that.

Our association covers an area that is both urban and suburban. We have enough officials, but not a surplus so opportunity to get some varsity games in your 2nd or 3rd year is there if you have some talent and work hard.