Tips for starting sharp?

[Kostja]

Originally Posted by kbilla

Any tips for what you do to get a "mental warm-up", so when these relatively unusual things happen right at the start you are prepared for them?

What's your typical pre-game routine?

Here is what we do:

• 90 minutes before tip-off - meet partners, change into referee uniform, small talk
• 80 minutes before tip-off - pre-game conference, at the end each crew member mentions 3 points of emphasis to remind everybody of them, e.g. goaltending, 3 seconds, travelling ...
• 50 minutes before tip-off - physical warm-up, stretching
• 25 minutes before tip-off - meditation, mental preparation - first relax (control breath, think about something positive), then use imagery to prepare for clutch calls, e.g. block-charge, goal-tending, violations during or right after tipp-off ...
• 15 minutes before tip-off - enter gym, say hello to coaches, assistants, and everybody at the scorers table
• 12 minutes before tip-off - stand opposite table, continue mental preparation - maybe I will stretch some more; I always imagine myself standing on the spot, where I will be standing during the opening tip, and all the situations that might occur during or right after the jump (game going either way, violations during or after the tip, e.g. backcourt, tipping the ball on its way up, and so on); during players introduction I will close my eyes and soak in the atmosphere in the gym, that gets me energized and ready to go!
• 3 minutes before tip-off - activation - before taking off our jackets 1:30 before tipp-off and going to work I might run 2 or 3 sprints along the sideline or do some ankle jumps and then a short series of tuck jumps (it always looks good )
• 1:30 before tipp-off - sending teams back to their bench areas, walking over to the table, taking off our jackets
• 1 minute before tip-off - teams are in the huddle before entering the court, and so are we. crew chief (referee) sums up what we were talking about during pre-game and says something like "let's go out, be ready for everything and have fun".

And there we go ...

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Kostja

What's your typical pre-game routine?

Here is what we do:

• 90 minutes before tip-off - meet partners, change into referee uniform, small talk
• 80 minutes before tip-off - pre-game conference, at the end each crew member mentions 3 points of emphasis to remind everybody of them, e.g. goaltending, 3 seconds, travelling ...
• 50 minutes before tip-off - physical warm-up, stretching
• 25 minutes before tip-off - meditation, mental preparation - first relax (control breath, think about something positive), then use imagery to prepare for clutch calls, e.g. block-charge, goal-tending, violations during or right after tipp-off ...
• 15 minutes before tip-off - enter gym, say hello to coaches, assistants, and everybody at the scorers table
• 12 minutes before tip-off - stand opposite table, continue mental preparation - maybe I will stretch some more; I always imagine myself standing on the spot, where I will be standing during the opening tip, and all the situations that might occur during or right after the jump (game going either way, violations during or after the tip, e.g. backcourt, tipping the ball on its way up, and so on); during players introduction I will close my eyes and soak in the atmosphere in the gym, that gets me energized and ready to go!
• 3 minutes before tip-off - activation - before taking off our jackets 1:30 before tipp-off and going to work I might run 2 or 3 sprints along the sideline or do some ankle jumps and then a short series of tuck jumps (it always looks good )
• 1:30 before tipp-off - sending teams back to their bench areas, walking over to the table, taking off our jackets
• 1 minute before tip-off - teams are in the huddle before entering the court, and so are we. crew chief (referee) sums up what we were talking about during pre-game and says something like "let's go out, be ready for everything and have fun".

And there we go ...

All this for a 4th grade park district game?

Seriously..........College?

Our state frowns on any stretching/excercising once we've entered the court, which I agree on.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by Kostja

What's your typical pre-game routine?

Here is what we do:

• 90 minutes before tip-off - meet partners, change into referee uniform, small talk
• 80 minutes before tip-off - pre-game conference, at the end each crew member mentions 3 points of emphasis to remind everybody of them, e.g. goaltending, 3 seconds, travelling ...
• 50 minutes before tip-off - physical warm-up, stretching
• 25 minutes before tip-off - meditation, mental preparation - first relax (control breath, think about something positive), then use imagery to prepare for clutch calls, e.g. block-charge, goal-tending, violations during or right after tipp-off ...
• 15 minutes before tip-off - enter gym, say hello to coaches, assistants, and everybody at the scorers table
• 12 minutes before tip-off - stand opposite table, continue mental preparation - maybe I will stretch some more; I always imagine myself standing on the spot, where I will be standing during the opening tip, and all the situations that might occur during or right after the jump (game going either way, violations during or after the tip, e.g. backcourt, tipping the ball on its way up, and so on); during players introduction I will close my eyes and soak in the atmosphere in the gym, that gets me energized and ready to go!
• 3 minutes before tip-off - activation - before taking off our jackets 1:30 before tipp-off and going to work I might run 2 or 3 sprints along the sideline or do some ankle jumps and then a short series of tuck jumps (it always looks good )
• 1:30 before tipp-off - sending teams back to their bench areas, walking over to the table, taking off our jackets
• 1 minute before tip-off - teams are in the huddle before entering the court, and so are we. crew chief (referee) sums up what we were talking about during pre-game and says something like "let's go out, be ready for everything and have fun".

And there we go ...

Is this a joke? Meditation? Activation? All this precision?
I would hate to see what would happen in case of a schedule change - you would be thrown off your schedule. I'm of the opinion that every game is an individual event. I have to check on my mind, body and the comfort of the crew to decide on what I will do.

[chartrusepengui]

Here is what we do:
90 minutes before tip-off - meet partners, change into referee uniform, small talk
80 minutes before tip-off - pre-game conference, at the end each crew member mentions 3 points of emphasis to remind everybody of them, e.g. goaltending, 3 seconds, travelling ...
50 minutes before tip-off - physical warm-up, stretching
25 minutes before tip-off - meditation, mental preparation - first relax (control breath, think about something positive), then use imagery to prepare for clutch calls, e.g. block-charge, goal-tending, violations during or right after tipp-off ...
15 minutes before tip-off - enter gym, say hello to coaches, assistants, and everybody at the scorers table
12 minutes before tip-off - stand opposite table, continue mental preparation - maybe I will stretch some more; I always imagine myself standing on the spot, where I will be standing during the opening tip, and all the situations that might occur during or right after the jump (game going either way, violations during or after the tip, e.g. backcourt, tipping the ball on its way up, and so on); during players introduction I will close my eyes and soak in the atmosphere in the gym, that gets me energized and ready to go!
3 minutes before tip-off - activation - before taking off our jackets 1:30 before tipp-off and going to work I might run 2 or 3 sprints along the sideline or do some ankle jumps and then a short series of tuck jumps (it always looks good )
1:30 before tipp-off - sending teams back to their bench areas, walking over to the table, taking off our jackets
1 minute before tip-off - teams are in the huddle before entering the court, and so are we. crew chief (referee) sums up what we were talking about during pre-game and says something like "let's go out, be ready for everything and have fun".
And there we go ...

Wow glad it works for you - I think just keeping on this schedule would be exhausting and stressful

[stripes]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Is this a joke? Meditation? Activation? All this precision?
I would hate to see what would happen in case of a schedule change - you would be thrown off your schedule. I'm of the opinion that every game is an individual event. I have to check on my mind, body and the comfort of the crew to decide on what I will do.

I don't find this list to be out of the norm. In fact I find it to be a useful tool. It is like most things, if you are not used to it, it is hard to do, but if it is your routine, there is nothing to it. We all have our routines that we do before a game, this is just one you are not used to.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by stripes

I don't find this list to be out of the norm. In fact I find it to be a useful tool. It is like most things, if you are not used to it, it is hard to do, but if it is your routine, there is nothing to it. We all have our routines that we do before a game, this is just one you are not used to.

OK, if that is what you think. I would be interested to watch a crew that went through all that and see how the game went. I would be very interested.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Kostja

What's your typical pre-game routine?

Here is what we do:

• 90 minutes before tip-off - meet partners, change into referee uniform, small talk
• 80 minutes before tip-off - pre-game conference, at the end each crew member mentions 3 points of emphasis to remind everybody of them, e.g. goaltending, 3 seconds, travelling ...
• 50 minutes before tip-off - physical warm-up, stretching
• 25 minutes before tip-off - meditation, mental preparation - first relax (control breath, think about something positive), then use imagery to prepare for clutch calls, e.g. block-charge, goal-tending, violations during or right after tipp-off ...
• 15 minutes before tip-off - enter gym, say hello to coaches, assistants, and everybody at the scorers table
• 12 minutes before tip-off - stand opposite table, continue mental preparation - maybe I will stretch some more; I always imagine myself standing on the spot, where I will be standing during the opening tip, and all the situations that might occur during or right after the jump (game going either way, violations during or after the tip, e.g. backcourt, tipping the ball on its way up, and so on); during players introduction I will close my eyes and soak in the atmosphere in the gym, that gets me energized and ready to go!
• 3 minutes before tip-off - activation - before taking off our jackets 1:30 before tipp-off and going to work I might run 2 or 3 sprints along the sideline or do some ankle jumps and then a short series of tuck jumps (it always looks good )
• 1:30 before tipp-off - sending teams back to their bench areas, walking over to the table, taking off our jackets
• 1 minute before tip-off - teams are in the huddle before entering the court, and so are we. crew chief (referee) sums up what we were talking about during pre-game and says something like "let's go out, be ready for everything and have fun".

And there we go ...

90 minutes? Like I'm going to show up that early to all my high school games.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Kostja

90 minutes before tip-off - meet partners, change into referee uniform, small talk

You put on your uniform 90 minutes before game time? I'm assuming this list is for a college game. First of all, for a high school game, I get to the gym 60 minutes before tip. 90 is overkill unless you're there to observe the JV guys (which you don't do, because it's not on your list).

Second, even for a college game, I'm not getting dressed 90 minutes before game time. Who wants to sit around in polyester for an hour an a half? Especially with all the stretching that you've got built in there. You want to do all your stretching while you're in uniform?

3 minutes before tip-off - activation - before taking off our jackets 1:30 before tipp-off and going to work I might run 2 or 3 sprints along the sideline or do some ankle jumps and then a short series of tuck jumps (it always looks good )

I'm sorry if this is too blunt, but it NEVER looks good to do that crap on the court. I work with a few guys who do it and frankly, I think it looks really bush league. I realize that we're standing out there for a half hour (NCAAM) or 15 minutes (NFHS) and you might tighten up a little. So do a couple inconspicuous stretches at the table. But don't run around and jump up and down like a freakin' rabbit.

[Jay R]

Kostja I believe is European. Maybe he works in a professional league (or a high level) where 90 minutes would be normal. That might also explain the 3:00 and 1:30 references that is the FIBA pregame protocol.

Anyway, I'd rather work with someone who is there early and has a routine rather than "Mr. I'll Be There Before The Tip".

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Jay R

Kostja I believe is European. Maybe he works in a professional league (or a high level) where 90 minutes would be normal.

Good point, Jay. 90 minutes is probably right for a pro Euroleague. The sprints and bunny hops are still a bad idea, though.

[Kostja]

Originally Posted by Jay R

Kostja I believe is European. Maybe he works in a professional league (or a high level) where 90 minutes would be normal. That might also explain the 3:00 and 1:30 references that is the FIBA pregame protocol.

Anyway, I'd rather work with someone who is there early and has a routine rather than "Mr. I'll Be There Before The Tip".

Thanks, Jay, you are right. I am European and I work in a professional league over here. I understand that showing up 90 minutes before a highschool game might be overkill, yet I think it is important to develop a personal pregame routine that you can use before every single game.

So, everybody else, please take my list just as one example of such a routine. It isn't the norm here either.

Cheers,
Kostja

[tomegun]

I'm sorry if this is to blunt. To a certain extent, if an athlete - or at least an athletic person - is warming up for an athletic competition there is nothing wrong with it. However, if someone who is shall we say "non-athletic" is warming up like they are about to do something everyone in the building knows they aren't, that is bush league.
We have never met so I'm not necessarily directing this at you - just your comments. If someone is really warming up like they are about to run a marathon it could be overkill, but otherwise I don't see where this makes a difference. I don't think warming up works the same way for everybody.

[stripes]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I'm sorry if this is too blunt, but it NEVER looks good to do that crap on the court. I work with a few guys who do it and frankly, I think it looks really bush league. I realize that we're standing out there for a half hour (NCAAM) or 15 minutes (NFHS) and you might tighten up a little. So do a couple inconspicuous stretches at the table. But don't run around and jump up and down like a freakin' rabbit.

I agree that the streching, running, etc. doesn't look good, but honestly, who notices the rerferees before the game excpt for other referees? I don't do any of this on the floor because it is not permitted, but I wish that we could. I have standing on the court doing nothing and tightening up. It is a stupid rule, IMO.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by stripes

I agree that the streching, running, etc. doesn't look good, but honestly, who notices the rerferees before the game excpt for other referees?

One sure way to change that is a nice workout regimen right in front of the scorer's table. Nothing screams "Look at me!" like a nice jogging/heel tuck regimen.

[stripes]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

One sure way to change that is a nice workout regimen right in front of the scorer's table. Nothing screams "Look at me!" like a nice jogging/heel tuck regimen.

The NBA has done it for years and no one (other than guys like us) seems to notice them.