Practical Advice

[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!)