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I've been toying with the idea of joining the officials' ranks most of my life. As a young child, I wanted to be an umpire more than anything. Now, basketball is the sport I have a passion for. I work with a women's basketball team and have gotten a great understanding of the rules and concepts. Here's my question for you all:
I'm starting from scratch. Where do I find comprehensive, not-to-hard-to-understand rule books? Officials Manuals? I'm a book worm and if I can get my hands on some good manuals, it will do a great deal to prepare me to go out and join an association and prepare for the examination and all those other steps. What other things are there for a 100% novice to do? I'm currently running everyday to work off my big ol' gut. While I'm still hefty-looking, I am having a great deal of success running and am gaining more stamina and endurance daily. Thanks in advance! |
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I've said it before, but here it is again. Get a tape recorder. Go down to the zoo and record an hour of screeching from the howler monkey cage. Go home, lock yourself in a closet, play the tape at full volume on a continuous loop for two hours while running in place.
If, after that, you still want to be a basketball official, get a prescription for Valium - then take it! |
How about the NFHS vidoes?
Can any one comment on the three NFHS videos related to basketball rules? I've been pushing my local youth sports association to purchase them to help raise the level of volunteer officiating within our leagues.
Also, taping or Tivo-ing college ball, and then replaying, is a great learning tool for officials and coaches. EG |
The NCAA has all their rules/mechanics/interpretations
and bulletins on line, check it out for reading material. As for refereeing, contact any kids rec league, tell them you want some games and go do it. That's the only way to learn. Have fun. |
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a) Learn the rules
There's nothing like getting the information from the horse's mouth. There are three typical publications most officials use to prepare for public school, recreation league, and most private school contests. They are published by the National Federation of State High School Associations ((NFHS) See BBREF's post for the link. The site is down this morning...) NFHS Rules Book NFHS Case Book NFHS Official's Manual Read the Rules Book cover to cover then read it again. Memorize the correctable errors, then memorize the rest of the book. OK, memorize is too strong a word. Be very familiar with it but memorize the correctable errors. b)Learn body mechanics Somewhere in the back of the rules book, there is a page showing the exact body and arm positions and movement when calling various violations and fouls. Get a Fox40 mini whistle ($5), some hearing protection, a big mirror, and a little privacy. Practice the pictures EXACTLY trying to mimic angle of arms down to finger placement. Get used to blowing the whistle one short, very LOUD "tweet" then do the arm mechanics. This is what people see - not the mental part. Practice here will keep some of the pressure off while you learn what to do on the court. c) Learn two man mechanics Get an idea of how two referees cover the court. The court is divided into different areas of responsibility. Each referee has his area to officiate. The official's manual does a good job explaining where you are supposed to be and what areas you have responsibility. d) Most importantly and many will echo this idea, get on the floor! Texas has loads of basketball. Contact that association you mentioned and have them turn you on to a rec league. If you are in a metro area, your city rec department may have youth and adult leagues and may even be willing to help you get started. The most they can do is yell at you and make you feel about 2" tall but that will pass. Once you get past the initial shock of starting out, you will learn to love it as much as we do. As for publications, I haven't seen an "Officiating for Dummies" book. Maybe MP here will get working on that for us. You can bet there will be a howler monkey on the cover! :) BTW - I can't say whether the videos will help. The ones I saw several years ago would not have been of much use to a beginner. |
Contact Steven Ellinger, Interpreter and Secretary/Treasurer, IAABO's Houston Bd. 205 at [email protected]. Steve can and will get you started in the right direction to become a basketball official. Please feel free to use my name, I belong to IAABO Bd. 55 and serve on several IAABO national committees with Steve.
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Re: How about the NFHS vidoes?
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I am not to hot on the idea of a rookie taping a college game. As we have seen on this board, there is a different mindset in college. Also NEVER tape the sound of the program because of the bad calls by the announcers. |
Yes, spend the money and get them. Giving someone a rules book is fine and good but until they see the situation it is generally not all that clear.
(Whew!) Also spend the money on casebooks. Again something that gives substance to the dry words. As a coach, I've been buying the NFHS rules and case book, each year. It's been my experience and I'm sure the same for others, that the rules alone can be misinterpreted. The case book helps to provide a second view. There also used to be another book. I think it was a simplified rules book. I found this book to be extremely confusing. |
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Also, find an experienced ref that you can work with and learn everything you can from him/her. If you are willing to learn and have a teachable demeanor, the veterans will help you tremendously. |
tharbert,
are you mentioning the hearing protection for use in front of the mirror Ron |
in addition to all of that great information, go to games, talk with more expierenced officials (maybe even sit for some of their pre-game conferences), get a mentor, and when working on mechanics, practice them in the mirror! Also, attend a camp! Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of officiating!
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HM: "Call it both ways" English: "Call it my way" I'm now working on the "Cliff's Notes Version of The Idiots Guide to Coaching For Dummies". Of course, the "big print" version with lots of pictures will probably sell the best. And yes - there will be a centerfold of the Howler Monkey Emperor, Bobby Knight, in a Speedo. Feel free to use it as a dartboard. Use big darts. |
TxBBallref,
Email me and I will give you all the info you need, including the phone number of the chapter secretary here, where there are summer camps for beginners, and which subvarsity assignors you will need to work with next season. Depending on where you are, they may be some summer league games that you could cut your teeth on. |
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Chuck |
I don't know Chuck...
How many new guys have you told "put some air in that whistle!" Or they blow it for far too long (no pun intended.) During a game, you want a very strong, short blast. It's very loud in an enclosed space like a bedroom but just right in a gym. Using protection allows you to "tweet" away without discomfort. Other things about whistles you won't read in the book: Listen very carefully to the "tweet" you here in the nba or nc2ab games on the TV. Short! Sharp! Sweet! Go for the same strong tone and length every time. During the game, avoid blowing the whistle right in someone's ear. That's why you will see many referees turn their head or hold a hand over their whistle when in a crowd. Don't toss the ball to start a game with a whistle in your mouth. Blow it, drop it, then step in for the toss. Always have a spare along with an extra lanyard or smitty. Don't use a football whistle on the basketball court - EVER! Sounds bad, looks bad, is bad! Basketball requires a "peerless" whistle that does not use a pea in the barrel. Ask your local sports store about the difference! (I know this is long winded again but it's for the new guy!) |
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Chuck |
I meant unmatched, unrivaled, first class - Peerless :)
(you're right Chuck) |
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My advice: 1. Get into a class In Ohio there are classes that start late summer / early fall. If your state has one, get in there. Do some searches on the internet for officials associations in your state....call them NOW and find out when the class is. Even better if you can get into a camp over the summer for beginners. Be careful...make sure the camp is for beginnners. 2. Know this going in....just because you pass your class and get certified doesnt mean you will get high school games. The High School level is loaded with guys who eat up assignments. Bottom line, its tough to break in. When you learn who the assignors are....and you will....call them and ask to be put on their sub list. Then, dont bug them but keep in touch with them. Send them a calendar with dates you are available. Also, it's very likely that the schedules for the upcoming year will be filled when you get out of class so in reality, you will struggle to build a Jr. High or high school schedule your first and maybe your second year. To close this point...Ask the assignors when they will be scheduling for the next season. Make sure you get them your availability in time for them to consider it. Example....On Febuary 10th of 2002, I got my schedule from a JV assignor. He asked me to hold Feb 8th....of 2003! See why it's so hard to break in! 3. Find "rec" aka kids leagues you can work. In Ohio there are tons. The key is to find out who is who. I suggest calling the ADs of the grade schools (public and private)in your area and ask them who schedules officials for their games. You'll learn quickly who is who and you should be able to find games at this level. If you do ok, you'll find that you get a call every week or in some cases, get a set schedule. These games are usually played on Saturdays and Sundays. My advice...first year...Load up. These will help because it gets you games in front of people. A lot of these schools play in band boxes so the 75 people in there will sound like 3000. 4. Don't turn down games from the important assignors unless you absolutely have to. Once you get a permit, I would keep a uniform in the car so you can sub with a few hours notice. 5. Find a mentor. A rec league I work in had a class before the season started this year. The assignor brought in a guest speaker who is a Varsity and sm college official in my state to give a talk. He offered at the end of class that if anyone had any questions, take his card and call. My adivce...dont be shy. Call a guy like that and ask him who he would call to help you get assignments if he were in your shoes. 6. Join the local assocaition. You'll be required anyway. 7. Did you notice that the majority of my points are learning who is who and making contact with them? The old adage about the squeeky wheel holds true here. Network yourself to the hilt. 8. When you work with the Old Guys Errr Senior Officials (See, I'm learning JR!!), ASK for feedback. Questions like "any feedback for me?" after the game shows you are interested in improving. They will answer and it will likely be constructive. I've picked up on a few things I was missing or doing wrong this way. 9. Read and re-read the books. 10. Once you get started....when you have questions or situations that happen, bring them to this board and ask. You will get all kinds of feedback...some good...some bad. You have to sort through that but I've found it's nice to come home and while a sitch is fresh in my mind be able to post a question. Ask for references to the specific rule or page in the books when you ask questions here. It will help you go back and read up. 11. Call what you saw...not what you see. Give plays time to develop. This isnt my line but it's a darn good one. 12. Call your lines, fouls and violations. The other guy will call his. (Once you get in to this, you'll understand what I mean) 13. Hustle. 14. There is no law that says you have to move up. If you try the higher levels and dont like the pressure...but you enjoy the kids....then stay with the kids. I've met at least 10 guys this year who have been officiating for 5-10 years. They love working the kids so thats what they do. there is nothing wrong with that. 15. If you are serious about moving up, look the part. Get the pants, shoes and V-neck shirts. If you get to high school where a jacket is required for pregame, get it. Even if you work a 3rd grade game, you have no idea who is watching. The other thing I've noticed is that by wearing the correct uniform, I think the coaches take you more serious. You'll see guys in warm up pants, white shoes and collared shirts. Dont do it! Spend the money. 16. Have fun. Take it serious but if you feel in anyway that it's "WORK", you are probably not going to last. Will people yell at you?....probably every game....Will you miss something or blow a call...probably every game. The key is to try to learn and improve. I've learned that officiating is a marathon, not a sprint. There are no short cuts to High School or College. It's all about networking, experience and talent. Good Luck and God's Speed! Larks - Veteran In Training |
Larks,excellent post,excellent advise!Keep after 'em,big guy!
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