Great paraphrasing of the 1st rule of officiating.

BTW - keep an AK47 in your bag in case the coach won't leave when you toss him. :eek:

[QUOTE=Brad;548612]I have never done this in 13 years and have never felt the need to.


/QUOTE]

I started carrying a needle several years ago and I am one of the few around my area who does this, but I use it all of the time and several of the "old timers" who know I carry one ask me to use it quite a bit (maybe 40%) of my games. Is it necessary? No. You can play with the ball they give you just fine. Does it help me to get the ball just the way we want it? You bet. Will I keep taking it on the court? Yes.

Physically hustle at all times. Get to the positions you need to in order to see what you need to see, especially when the ball is in your area. Don't park at half-court, on the same spot on the baseline, or against the sidelines as the T or C.

Be humble when challenged respectfully on a dubious call. Admit mistakes, learn from them, and move on.

1. Use the Search function of this board to go back and find other threads with a similar theme. There's been lots of good advice over the years.

2. Get someone to show up at a game with a real digital camera and tape you. It's amazing what you can learn just by watching.

3. If you're female, tucking in your whistle before you pee isn't really very important.

participate
 

Many of the things said are outstanding suggestions I can only add a couple of things - find a group of more experienced officials that are willing to help you get better, to mentor you, and participate with them. Watch them work, have them watch you work. Learn to break down game tapes.

learn to take constructive critisisim, and grow from it.
be quite and listen when the more experienced guys are talking, ask if you don't know or are unsure, don't fake it.

The last thing I learned that helped me advance was, learn to be the "R" on the court always be stong, offer your opinion in situations that require it if you have something to add, if your crew is kicking a situation and you know it step up and help out. just because the schedule has you as the U2 doesn't mean you can relax and not participate in the game. I'll take a court with 3"R"'s that can work together any day over being the U1 with a weak R and sleeping U2. That can be trouble waiting to happen.

Good luck have a safe year and don't be a stranger to places like this. they can be a great tool!

:D

(Btw, welcome back!)

THIS. Seriously.

Get the cell numbers of the ADs of the schools you will be working. If you have a problem enroute you usually will never get an answer on the school phone. Having that cell number can be vitally important to let the school know you are going to be late or a no-show.