Help me ...I'm wrestling with myself...

[Coltdoggs]

The summer ball topic got me thinking a bit more....

I've posted on here for awhile...will be starting my 8th year of calling games in the fall. I've been open about the levels I work which is mainly Jr High, Freshman and AAU stuff. I was once state licensed but did not do any HS games. I've worked some JV and Varsity level games during summer but not really had the desire to work regular season HS for whatever reasons(read on). I coach my young kids and I'm very active in our community rec leagues both as a board member and ref and I really love the game and care about it regardless of which hat I'm wearing....

Officiating....I take whatever games I'm doing seriously regardless of level and I work hard to be in position and am always willing to listen to a more experienced official....After 7+ years and lots of summer ball the past two years...That's usually a guy who works HS ball.

I get complimented on my officiating from these guys but I am really struggling with the upper level games I'm officiating in summer particularly 16U and 17U level and to an extent some of the 15U teams but more so the JV/V level. I've been both praised by coaches and railed on (I take it all with a grain of salt)

I have talked with several guys and I have told them I really think I let a lot of contact go....I think I'm a pretty loose.... My Ps tell me I'm fine but sometimes I just question myself...there will be contact but I'm just not convinced it affected the shooter and I let it go. Of course this is sometimes to my detriment...I try to look at it from the standpoint of "if I were playing, would I expect that called for me".

One of my assignors at our multi court facility (lots of AAU tourneys and summer HS league stuff) he will assign me anytime I want and we have a good relationship...I talked with him about it and he told me with the upper level to protect my shooters but with the bigger kids they'll play through more of the contact that might create adv/disadv on say a 7th grader who is smaller.

Outside of asking my assignor to evaluate me on a couple games...what can I do to overcome this mental block? I feel I am at a point where I might be close to overcoming any fears I have of doing regular season games at the HS level...but this is my one hangups.

[JRutledge]

I do not work wrestling, so I have no idea what the ruling would be on such a move.

Peace

[Dan_ref]

Not really clear what the question is but it sounds like you're lacking confidence in your calls. I suppose letting a lot of stuff go is OK, as long as you are consistent from call to call and more importantly with what your partner is calling. Usually I have found at the HS level coaches are more tolerant of too many fouls than they are of not enough fouls assuming it's going both ways and especially if the game is getting rough. So maybe the thing to work on is to try to be a little less loose in what contact you will let go & mimic what your partner is calling (assuming it's worth mimicing of course), especially on shooting fouls. May also be worth having a decent pregame (I know, tough to do in summer ball) to go over what the crew will allow and not allow. This gets you both on the same page right off the bat & if you're calling the same game it's easier to be confident in your own calls. I'm not sure if that will help.

[rockyroad]

Video, video, video...get someone (wife, child, friend, etc) to come and video the games you are working and then watch yourself - break down the tape. What calls did you make, what did you miss? Were you consistent or not...evaluating yourself at this point in your career will be much more valuable than asking the assignor at an AAU tournament.

[TheOracle]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Video, video, video...get someone (wife, child, friend, etc) to come and video the games you are working and then watch yourself - break down the tape. What calls did you make, what did you miss? Were you consistent or not...evaluating yourself at this point in your career will be much more valuable than asking the assignor at an AAU tournament.

That is superlative advice. Also, if you can have a mentor or peer watch the film with you and discuss it, that's even better.

[wanja]

Attend an official's camp that includes video tape review, has an emphasis on instruction, includes a high level of play and preferably services a team (rather than individual) camp. If you can, talk to someone who has attended the camp before signing up.

Besides more physical play, the speed of the game and the intensity of players and coaches are the factors that I need to adjust to most at higher levels. This is usually offset by better skill. If you can handle the speed and intensity then here are some tips that help me with physicality:

1. referee the defense first

I know this has become a cliche, but it works. If you cannot specifically identify what the defense has done wrong then don't penalize the defense because there was contact.

2. reward good defense

If borderline contact occurs after a good defensive effort (e.g. clean blocked shot), let it go.


3. penalize bad defense

If borderline contact occurs after bad defense (e.g reaching across offenders body for a block) nail it unless doing so would take an advantage away from the offensive player.


4. If legitimately calling a foul is likely to decrease later fouls and improve the game, get it.

5. Observe how other officials handle physical play, e.g. focus exclusively on post play for a few trips.

6. Set the tone early by not passing on early fouls. Most times players will adjust for the rest of the game. If your officiating team finds that you are calling too tight, it is easier to loosen up rather than tighten up.

7. If you are questioning calling a foul and there has been clear displacement, call it.

8. Look for opportunites to penalize over aggressive play against both teams early and within a short time frame.

I continue to struggle with handling physical play, so if anyone else wants to share tips, bring 'em on.

Who's winning?


Seriously, if your partners say you're fine then you're most likely, fine. I don't think all of them would tell you the same lies.

I don't know if you utilize the single most effective way to better yourself... VIDEO REVIEW. But that would be a great way to go back & see if your no-calls were indeed good ones to pass on OR if you were in the wrong position & it was something you should've gotten.

Considering your years of experience (even though it's mostly summer & youth) it seems as though you should have more confidence in yourself

Dangit rockyroad got me by 2 minutes

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

Dangit rockyroad got me by 2 minutes

Not your fault, it's because he's unemployed.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Not your fault, it's because he's unemployed.

Not until next Tuesday...then I get my 10 week vacation!!

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Not until next Tuesday...then I get my 10 week vacation!!

I hope you get a bad case of poison ivy... and a sunburn

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Not your fault, it's because he's unemployed.

Hmmm if that's the case, I must be that close to unemployment myself
Let me get back to work!

Originally Posted by Tio

Unfortunately, the best way to prepare you is to actually work the higher level games.

Originally Posted by Ch1town

the single most effective way to better yourself... VIDEO REVIEW

Preparing one self & getting better are different, kinda sorta in a way. If you worked higher levels but don't know what you look like while working how can you get better?
Partners could tell you, mentors & assignors could tell you, but seeing is believing!

As a matter of fact, I heard from a highly respected NBA guy that one could gain 4 games worth of experience for every 1 game that was broken down properly within 48 hrs.

Originally Posted by Tio

Monty McCutcheon says "We are expected to be excellent, not perfect."

With the Monty quote that you dropped, it seems as though we have the same point of reference...

[Tio]

With the Monty quote that you dropped, it seems as though we have the same point of reference...[/QUOTE]

Monty is one of my favorite officials. He wrote a piece for referee magazine a while ago that really inspired me. I'm sure many of you have read the same article.

I am a steadfast believer in the benefits of tape. However, I think for Colt Doggs' purpose or any other official aspiring to move up and work higher levels or better basketball, you just have to get out there and experience by working. It is obvious that other officials and assignors would give him the games if he was willing, so I don't think its a talent question.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not work wrestling, so I have no idea what the ruling would be on such a move.

Peace

Not bad, Rut. I give it a six.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Not bad, Rut. I give it a six.

A 6? Try an upside down 6. Good one, Rut.

As for the OP, I'm in the video boat. Video is an amazing teaching tool. The proof lies with the pros - they look at video all the time.

But I also see the benefit from doing a game where you have to stretch yourself. Like if you're the rook in a V game with 2 other senior guys. Tio's point is good, too.