First D3 camp...advice

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by blwall1416

Yeah, one of the evaluators is my association's supervisor. I've emailed Roger Ayers some, who is also working this camp. My main focus going in is mechanics. I'm more concerned with improving those than I am with "trying out" for college officiating. Don't get me wrong, if it happens, I'll be very happy..but my mindset going in is personal improvement. That is, unless some of these veterans tell me otherwise..

That is also my objective. I am just trying to improve. I finished my third season, and was able to move up a partial V level (8 games). I want to continue to get better, and the moving up will take care of itself. Doing college is also not on mind. I just want to improve my mechanics, my judgement, and my game management skills.

[truerookie]

Question(s):

When you say improve your mechanic, are you talking about?
(a) Signals

if so you can do that in the confines of your couch watching March Madness. I had someone tell me that when I first started officiating. Do what they do but do it crispier.

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by truerookie

Question(s):

When you say improve your mechanic, are you talking about?
(a) Signals

if so you can do that in the confines of your couch watching March Madness. I had someone tell me that when I first started officiating. Do what they do but do it crispier.

That's part of it, yes. Mechanics includes the individual part (i.e. - the signals) and the group part (i.e. - the 2 or 3 whistle duties). Can one learn from watching games from the couch? Yes certainly, but be aware that there are differences between the rules and the mechanics from NFHS to NCAA-W to NCAA-M. But, by far the best way to improve is to go a camp and work live games under the watchful eyes of qualified observers.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Lcubed48

That's part of it, yes. Mechanics includes the individual part (i.e. - the signals) and the group part (i.e. - the 2 or 3 whistle duties). Can one learn from watching games from the couch? Yes certainly, but be aware that there are differences between the rules and the mechanics from NFHS to NCAA-W to NCAA-M. But, by far the best way to improve is to go a camp and work live games under the watchful eyes of qualified observers.

This is absolutely true. While you're sitting on your couch, working on signals, you're not seeing yourself. How will you know if you're forming a good habit, or reinforcing a bad one? Also, the mechanics used by the big dogs who work the tourney are not necessarily ideal for emulation. They get away with lots of stuff that us lesser mortals could not.

So if you're going to work on signals, spend at least some of your practice time in front of a mirror. And take any opportunity to get qualified feedback, like from camp evaluators. They can add more to your package than just whether or not the thing you are doing looks good or not. They can help you understand what you're not doing that you should, what you are doing that you shouldn't, and where you've just missed the boat entirely.