How Do You Slow It All Down?

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by derwil

One of the biggest things for me was to start trusting my partners more - especially when I'm off the ball. Many younger referees get in the habit of ball watching, thinking that they need to call every violation or watch every dribble of the basketball. This is no where close to being true! Thank goodness for our partners who can help in this area. Practice this next game - when the balkl is in your area, referee the ball play. When it is not, look away from the ball into your primary area and watch your players off ball. They will let you know where the ball is by the way they are positioned and what they are doing, but you can also keep the ball in your periphal vision if you need.

This is a big one and one I've heard from quite a few experienced officials.

I got my first real compliment from a veteran Varsity official the other night. BJV, Home team down three, bringing the ball up the court. Home player shoots a three pointer for the last second shot and the defender floats into him, bumping him. I call the foul, shot is missed. Kid missed one of the FT so the game is over.

We leave the floor, and the first thing he says in the locker room when I ask for any pointers is "I've worked with guys a lot more experienced than you that would have watched that ball going towards the basket instead of staying with the shooter. Nice work." Made me feel like a million bucks.

Funny thing is, I'm standing there watching him shoot the FT and in the back of my mind is, "If he makes all three, Padgett will have me strung up"