New referee experiences...

[shishstripes]

I have been officiating basketball for 10 years now and there are still certain plays that I kicked that still "haunt" me. I think about what I would do differently to handle the situation better if and when it should present itself again. It would be easy to say "Don't let those plays eat you up," but they will, just try to learn from them.

Things will get better. Keep working at it. Listen to and watch veteran officials. Build on your strengths and work on your weaknesses. I have found that if the more experienced officials know you are willing to listen and learn, they are more than willing to work with you. Don't burn those bridges.

Your lower level games can be tougher games to work as the kids are still learning to play and have as much to learn as you do.

[Back In The Saddle]

One thing I've found helpful is to start a game journal. Get a notebook. After every game, or set of games, spend a few minutes reviewing the game. In mine I try to note:

• Things that went particularly well
• Things that didn't go well
• Unusual things that happened, including looking up rules, etc. and noting them
• Things I'm working on that game, and how they went
• I keep a running list of things to work on

The game journal has a lot of positives to it: self-accountability, the opportunity to reflect on plays and situations and think about how to handle them next time, a valuable memory jog (if you briefly review your most recent notes before your next game). And perhaps most valuable of all, I find that if I can "bleed" all the ugliness out onto paper, I don't spend nearly so much time reliving all the horrors that night.

[bc7]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

One thing I've found helpful is to start a game journal. Get a notebook. After every game, or set of games, spend a few minutes reviewing the game. In mine I try to note:

• Things that went particularly well
• Things that didn't go well
• Unusual things that happened, including looking up rules, etc. and noting them
• Things I'm working on that game, and how they went
• I keep a running list of things to work on

The game journal has a lot of positives to it: self-accountability, the opportunity to reflect on plays and situations and think about how to handle them next time, a valuable memory jog (if you briefly review your most recent notes before your next game). And perhaps most valuable of all, I find that if I can "bleed" all the ugliness out onto paper, I don't spend nearly so much time reliving all the horrors that night.

While I also am a first year official, I will tell you that keeping a journal is a great way to "not take the game home with you". After games I will usually ice down my knees, and while that is taking place I keep a "journal" in my BlackBerry. I like to keep track of things that went well, and things that didn't as well as how the coaches, players, and my partner all were. It really does help me calm down after games.

[dbking]

I am in my 30th year of officiating and I still replay what happened in the game. It comes with the avocation.

A couple of more items:

Partner(s): Remember there are always three teams on the floor. Trust your partner(s). You need to communicate and be the best team on the floor. Always support your partner and help each other to become better. Identify the shooter when you are the non calling official for all fouls. Know when you have 6 and 9 fouls and communicate that. Communicate the throw-in spot for all violations and fouls, etc.

Perfection: Be careful with your perception of perfection. That can be a huge detriment do you becoming a great official. The best games that you will do will be ones where the fans, coaches and players did not know you were there. Do not overcall or undercall the game. This will come with time and games situations. I fight perfection all the time. I have become a much better official by not trying to be perfect but to become a better game manager. It is a multilegged stool that you are balancing on. Know the rules, game management and communication can make you the best team on the court.

Video: Watch tape of games that you work and others work. Understand why the call and don't call items. Were you in position to make the call. Did you see the whole play. Was the call in your primary. etc.

Camps: I still go to 2 or 3 camps a year. Find some in your area and go and learn.

[shishstripes]

Originally Posted by dbking

Partner(s): Remember there are always three teams on the floor. Trust your partner(s). You need to communicate and be the best team on the floor. Always support your partner and help each other to become better. Identify the shooter when you are the non calling official for all fouls. Know when you have 6 and 9 fouls and communicate that. Communicate the throw-in spot for all violations and fouls, etc.

Awesome statement combined with maintaining eye contact with your partner.