Hello,
I'm interested in becoming a basketball official, and need to get in better shape. What kind of exercises do you guys suggest? Is lifting weights beneficial?

RUNNING!!!!

I am a short guy, but I've been blessed by the fact that I generally don't have to watch what I eat. So if you're asking about losing weight, I'm not sure I can really help.

But if you're just rusty and looking to "tune up", then I'd suggest a modest exercise routine, like you'd do at a basketball practice. Sit-ups, pull-ups, jogging and running.

And then work all the basketball games you can. That'll get you in shape, and improve your officiating at the same time :)

Honestly, I don't think working with weights will be of any help to you at all as an official. Unless you're working a prison league, which I know some guys do. :eek:

Chuck

Did someone mention RUNNING? http://www.runnersworld.com has some beginers work-out plans. They also provide advice for common problems like which shoe to wear. Check with your doctor if you have any doubts about exercise. Try this link: http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,2-60-63,00.html
If the link doesn't work, it's in the "getting Started" section (and it's a little slow.)

Work on getting in shape this spring and summer. It won't happen overnight. Seek a local basketball officials' association. They may have an inside scoop on some rec leagues and what you need to do for next season.

Mark a run 30 yards long for wind sprints and run it over and over and over again.

Sit ups are good. Push ups are good. Endurance (running/
jogging/wind sprints, jumping jacks, squat thrusts) is
good. Pull ups are very difficult, most "out of shape"
people can barely manage 1, which is frustrating. Most "in
shape" people have a tough time managing 10, or even 5.
Make sure you stretch your legs for at east 5 to 10 minutes
before starting: quads, hamstrings/butt, calf, inner
thighs. If you have access to weights or a machine do
that, but don't go too heavy, at least for a while. Good
luck, and don't forget your push backs! As in "push back"
away from the table. ;)

Thanks guys. I'll give those sprints a try. I'm not sure I'm ready for pull-ups yet though. Someone told me to lifting leg weights would help, but I figured that running would build up my leg muscles enough.

Workout?
 

Why the hell do we need to workout?

What we need to do is work on our test skills and not worry about those love handles. Remember those love handles are not looked upon as critically as if we got a 70% on that Part 1. I think you are putting your eggs in the wrong basket. Just work on quoting the rulebook, that is the key to success. ;)

Peace

I exercise only my thumb on the remote. Usually it's hitting the mute button whenever Doug Collins is speaking. Works for me. :)

Mark -- I'm not sure your shape is the one he's working for!!

utex -- the best way to get into shape is to do Jr. Hi games, then Freshman games, then JV. It's a lot easier because it's not boring, and you are working the exact muscles you'll need for Varsity. If you have some soreness, consult a physical trainer. Besides, working out costs, such as a gym membership or buying equipment or weights or whatever. When you work games, YOU GET PAID!! It's not much, but the bottom line looks a lot better when it's income instead of outflow. Spouses are much more favorable to this, too.

Geez, Juulie. At least give me a winky face here.

The reason my assigner always gives for staying in shape is; If you are not known by the coaches and crowd and there is a close call, who do you think they are going to believe, the fat guy in the soiled uniform who can hardly get up and down the floor, or the trim dude with the polished shoes. First appearance is so important.

Okay, I'll try, ;)


but my smilies never seem to turn out right. In any case , I would allow you to retaliate with the razz-berry one.