OK.. first highschool tonight.
 

Freshmen... 2 games... I cant wait.

Goals for tonight.

1. Keep my head up.
2. Make the right call even if it means correcting myself.
3. Anticipate better.

Nuh-huh.

Never, ever anticipate anything. Wait....and call what <b>happens</b>.

What are you anticipating, Fouls or plays?

A senior official told me that you should anticipate clean play that way if see somthing that is not clean you can call it.

ex. You are lead. A1 drives to the basket. You see A2 coming over to set a pick. If you anticipate a clean pick, then when you see a moving screen or anything other then a clean pick, or if you see a clean pick but B1 bulls right through it you are more prepared to call the foul instead of just blankly staring at what you are seeing.

Does that make sense??

Anticipate the action and get into a good position to observe it. Then make a nice deliberate decision. Have patience and let it unfold in front of you.

It makes very good sense. An official who worked in the elite 8 this past season told me the same thing at camp this summer only the example that he used was making a clean block on a shot attempt.

It has to do with your frame of mind when officiating. If you recognize what action is taking place, you can make better decisions. You also won't be apt to penalize something that isn't there.

Yep, makes sense. Never anticipate fouls.

All the best of luck tonight. I remember my first high school game: on the drive there my palms were sweating and I had butterflies. I couldn't believe how nervous I was, as i am not usually the anxious type.

Give yourself plenty of time to get there early, being too early is better than the alternative.
Pick a violation/foul your not 100% about and re-read the book/casebook, then discuss it pre-game with partner, ask questions.
Tell your partner your a rookie and want feedback on your game, were always learning. Thank your parnter(s) post game for helping a rookie in his first hs game, they'll appreciate it. If it was positive partnering tell them you look forward to working with them again.

Its a beautiful game (apologies to soccer) so have fun.

Disagree.

When you mention anticipate, you mentioned call. I take that as calling violations and fouls. There are many more things to be aware of than violations and fouls.

I anticipate all the way - especially when a more skilled defender is guarding a weaker opponent. I know that a steal might be coming. Or if I see a missed switch by the defense, I know they'll be an offensive cutter into the key and an entry pass.

Another example: coach B is getting drained from the get-go. Losing 8-0. You're the new L after A's 4th basket. What do I do? I'm looking right at B coach for a second. I know the TO request is coming. IMHO, a quality official will grab that TO request before the pass is released from B's endline.

In addition, anticipating clean play is a very good suggestion, in my opinion. I use that same approach in football.

It's about officiating smarter, not harder.

Another example is when the big man is being fronted in the low post. Anticipate the lob pass, right? What might happen? Big man might push off to catch the pass. Secondary defender might flash across to help with backside defense.

Very simple example: 2-on-1 fast break. You better anticipate a block/charge situation and REFEREE THE DEFENDER. If you wait for the contact to make your decision, you'll be guessing.

Anticipate the play, not the call.

Mike -- on your list of goals you forgot the most important one:

Have Fun!

Funny you should mention that cause my partner in my last game kept saying that I dont look like I'm having fun.

Thats not the case. I just am sooooo focused that I look very serious.

So how did it go?

Yup. That's okay. First HAVE FUN, and eventually it'll show.

Or try this: grip your whistle with your teeth and keep your lips parted untill you need to blow the whistle. That way it gives a little more of a smile look. (Although it's hard on the whistle)

Also, look at your partner more -- more eye contact. That also gives your face a more open look.

uh, kb, it's only been an hour and a half since he posted it! When he said tonight, he meant, wait for it.....

Tonight!!