Practical Advice

[M&M Guy]

I just want to add to everyone's advice:

Have fun.

If you're doing this to make money, it will quickly become a chore. You can, however, make new friendships with your partners; you can get out of the house for some exercise; you can stand out on the floor during a game and think to yourself, "Wow, this really IS the best seat in the house!". Whatever it takes to allow yourself to enjoy the whole process, will help you not only get past some of the short-term bumps (bad games, bad partners, bad coaches), but help contribute to making officiating a lifetime avocation.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BLS

- Tuck your whistle in your shirt when not on the court ....... ensures that your whistle doesn't get splatter when standing at the urinal.

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.

[stripes]

Originally Posted by BLS

Any of you veterans out there have any practical advice for a rookie? These may seem obvious for veterans, but not so obvious for a new guy.

For example, a couple things I picked up already:

- Have a needle with you for pregame in case you need to let air out of the game ball.

[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.

[TheOracle]

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.

[Juulie Downs]

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.

[OHBBREF]

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!

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

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

(Btw, welcome back!)