Begin Officiating at 50?

[sj]

Not to old at all. Make sure that you get yourself in shape. Especially stretching. Even if you've been active doing other things your body will be doing things they haven't done in years. Workout doing things that you might be doing on a court so you get used to doing those things under controlled circumstances. Start by going easy doing starts, stops cuts etc. The biggest bummer there could be is that you get some kind of an injury right out of the box. Start slow. Also consider putting in arch supports into your shoes. That will help you avoid plantar fasciitis a real common injury among officials. Just a couple of cents worth.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by sj

Also consider putting in arch supports into your shoes. That will help you avoid plantar fasciitis a real common injury among officials.

Amen. I wish someone had given my arches that advice midway last season.

[beachbum]

I am in my second year and i started when I was 58. I am a life long runner, so being inshape was not an issue. The starting, stopping and constant change of direction was harder to accomplish.

I wear a pair of running shoes(New Balance 858) and that helps for the cushioning.

Get as many mid school games as possible, so you can hone your skill faster. I did about 55 games my first year and am ontrack for at least that many this year.

You don't have as much time to learn as a guy starting in their 30's + most associations are going to cater to the younger guys as they will be around for many more years.

life is a challenge, make this one of them.

[ranjo]

I was very close to 50 when I joined the local board and started to ref high school ball, so I feel very qualified to speak.

1. 50 is not too old to start as long as you are in good physical shape or can get there with reasonable effort.

2. There are many things I love about being out on the court, but just running up and down the floor and being a part of the game when many people my age are finding it hard to just get off the couch is rewarding in itself.

3. The thing I dislike most is not being able to stop the game and educate folks who do not understand the application of the rules.

4. How long before I become proficient? Maybe never (LOL), but I do enjoy trying to make every game a little better. Some folks move up quickly because of many different reasons (some of which you can control and some that you can't). I was allowed to develop at my own speed (slowly) and was never thrust into a game over my head. I became a "rules person" as I continued to develop my floor skills, and now do a mixed bag of JV and V games.

Don't be afraid to give it a try. Officiating any sport at any level offers challenges that keep the brain and body active. My only regret is that I didn't start sooner.

It takes most folks a while to get comfortable on the floor, but once you work enough games and start to relax it gets better and better. Learning to officiate (like raising children) can be the most flustrating and most rewarding thing you do in your life.

[dbking]

1. 50 too old to start?

Age is only a mindset. Be in shape, find a mentor. Be prepared to watch as many games as you work. Ask short concise questions and then ask. Not everyone will help you. You will learn quickly who will and who will not.

2. What one thing makes you love being a referee (or is official the preferred term?)

I love the game and want to give back. I grew up in a basketball crazy state, Indiana and developed a great passion for it. I do not play much anymore and love staying involved. It is all about FUN for all.

3. What one thing do you hate?

8th grade parents are the worst. I have come to believe that there is a gradient that increases until eight grade. After that time, the parents seem to get wiser and quieter. Maybe it is just because there are more people in the audience. Try to block them and thier lack of knowledge and big mouths out. Their child will not be the next Michael Jordan as they believe.

4. How long until you became proficient?

You will always learn. Proficient is a mindset. Learn the rules and their application. The biggest thing to learn and is not in any book is game management. Everyone is different and needs to be handled different. You will have to find what works for you. You will get told lots of stuff. Listen intently. Disgest what you were just told. Understand it and then try to apply what works for you. 80% of what you are told is good stuff, some of it will work. That which will not, say thanks and discard. Some of it you will not be ready for. It will come with time and games. Watch a lot of games and understand what they call but also understand what they do not call. What is not called is just as important as what you do call. Find some local camps this summer and go to them. You will lessen your learning curve greatly.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ranjo

The thing I dislike most is not being able to stop the game and educate folks who do not understand the application of the rules.

That's why we have the Mythbusters.

[ranjo]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

That's why we have the Mythbusters.

You should be pleased to note that I keep a copy in my pre-game notebook along with the top reasons to give and not to give a T.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by ranjo

You should be pleased to note that I keep a copy in my pre-game notebook along with the top reasons to give and not to give a T.

There's reasons not to?

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

There's reasons not to?

If a game could go into OT if you call a T.

That is a good reason, n'est pas?