Tips for starting sharp?

[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.

[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.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Nothing screams "Look at me!" like a nice jogging/heel tuck regimen.

That's exactly the purpose of the guys that put on a fitness clinic before the game. "Look at me, look at me. I are an athlete."

Pre-game stretching is fine. Putting on a show while doing so isn't.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by kbilla

Where can I score some of those?

Just email me your debit card number and PIN.

[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