Learn by doing

[Adam]

Originally Posted by wanja

Hi Showbo,

Welcome aboard. What city do you reside in? Four suggestions (if you have not already covered them).

1. Identify an experienced official in your area who can help you get off to a good start.
2. Participate in a rules study class.
3. Become certified in your state.
4. Participate in an officiating camp targeted to beginning officials.

I would only like to say that if you don't feel comfortable disclosing your city, there is no need.

[showbo]

Originally Posted by wanja

Hi Showbo,

Welcome aboard. What city do you reside in? Four suggestions (if you have not already covered them).

1. Identify an experienced official in your area who can help you get off to a good start.
2. Participate in a rules study class.
3. Become certified in your state.
4. Participate in an officiating camp targeted to beginning officials.

Artesia, NM.

1. That is hard, since I just moved to this town in January, and I don't know anyone. Only reason I found the person to contact was through a co-worker.
2. As soon as I hear about anything, I will be there.
3. The guy who runs it down here said I did not need to this year, or something like that, since this is my first year. I could have misunderstood him.
4. Would love too, as soon as I hear about one, I will be there.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by showbo

Artesia, NM.

1. That is hard, since I just moved to this town in January, and I don't know anyone. Only reason I found the person to contact was through a co-worker.

Not really that hard; just pick up the phone and start calling ADs at local schools. They will put you in contact with whoever you need to speak to if it's not them that does the assigning. I've never had an AD tell me they've got too many officials.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

Not really that hard; just pick up the phone and start calling ADs at local schools. They will put you in contact with whoever you need to speak to if it's not them that does the assigning. I've never had an AD tell me they've got too many officials.

I would talk to the people who assign the games you've worked. They'll not only know which officials are qualified to help you, but also which ones would be willing to do so.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

Not really that hard; just pick up the phone and start calling ADs at local schools. They will put you in contact with whoever you need to speak to if it's not them that does the assigning. I've never had an AD tell me they've got too many officials.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I would talk to the people who assign the games you've worked. They'll not only know which officials are qualified to help you, but also which ones would be willing to do so.

I would try Google and the IAABO directory.

[tjones1]

Work as many games as possible! You are going to make mistakes but the important thing is that you learn from them.

Read as much as you can. This board is a wonderful resource. I suggest you use it whenever you have a question. There are a lot of great rules minds on this site!

Attend a camp. While at camp, listen and ask questions.

Also, purchase the biggest gear bag you can (you are going to need it - it's true, it's true).
A little humor for my ol' buddy M&M...haven't heard from him in a while...maybe he'll come out of the woodwork too.

[showbo]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Work as many games as possible! You are going to make mistakes but the important thing is that you learn from them.

Read as much as you can. This board is a wonderful resource. I suggest you use it whenever you have a question. There are a lot of great rules minds on this site!

Attend a camp. While at camp, listen and ask questions.

Also, purchase the biggest gear bag you can (you are going to need it - it's true, it's true).
A little humor for my ol' buddy M&M...haven't heard from him in a while...maybe he'll come out of the woodwork too.

Sounds good. The only issue I had, besides that being my very first time, was getting out of the mindset of playing basketball at the local gym. I could see the contact, but I didn't call much the first two games. I was watching, but thinking hell that’s ok. (Which is 100% wrong) The last two games I was calling a lot more fouls/violations.

I even had both coaches agree with me on calls against their teams. But on a scale from 1-100, my ability is around 10-20. I was so nervous the first game, I called backcourt after a 5 count....The coach or other ref did not say anything, but as soon as half time hit I asked the ref and he told me I was wrong on that one.

This was a summer camp with teams from everywhere in southern NM, so the refs I was with, all had like 3-4 games before the ones I was in. I asked one to critique me, and he told me, 'I wish I could, but I am too tired to critique anyone.' Which is understandable, he was standing in for other refs who did not show up.

Ok, I feel that I am now done talking on. Thanks to anyone who read this long post.


Oscar

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I would try the IAABO directory.

No IAABO in New Mexico.

[wanja]

Originally Posted by showbo

Artesia, NM.

1. That is hard, since I just moved to this town in January, and I don't know anyone. Only reason I found the person to contact was through a co-worker.
2. As soon as I hear about anything, I will be there.
3. The guy who runs it down here said I did not need to this year, or something like that, since this is my first year. I could have misunderstood him.
4. Would love too, as soon as I hear about one, I will be there.

Here's some info that might help.

The New Mexico Officials Association of the New Mexico Activities Association certifies officials. Here's a link to their steps for becoming an official.

http://www.nmact.org/files/Officials...n_official.pdf

You might want to ask your guy what are the disadvantages to becoming certified in your first year. There at at least 2 benefits that come to mind.

a. As part of the process, you would be affiliated with a local officials association. That association should help you to meet officials that can offer you assistance with training and assignments.

b. As part of the process, you would take a qualifying exam. A broad focused study of the rules in preparation for the exam will do wonders for your confidence and readiness to officiate.


The group leader for the officiating association in Artesia is Dan Lewis. He can be reached at [email protected] . If this contact info is not current, Dan or the folks from the state NMOA should be able to help you out.

Unfortunately, the officiating camps that I am aware of in New Mexico have passed.

[showbo]

Originally Posted by wanja

Here's some info that might help.

The New Mexico Officials Association of the New Mexico Activities Association certifies officials. Here's a link to their steps for becoming an official.

http://www.nmact.org/files/Officials...n_official.pdf

You might want to ask your guy what are the disadvantages to becoming certified in your first year. There at at least 2 benefits that come to mind.

a. As part of the process, you would be affiliated with a local officials association. That association should help you to meet officials that can offer you assistance with training and assignments.

b. As part of the process, you would take a qualifying exam. A broad focused study of the rules in preparation for the exam will do wonders for your confidence and readiness to officiate.


The group leader for the officiating association in Artesia is Dan Lewis. He can be reached at [email protected] . If this contact info is not current, Dan or the folks from the state NMOA should be able to help you out.

Unfortunately, the officiating camps that I am aware of in New Mexico have passed.

Already in contact with Dan. He has already been a great help. Thanks for the other info!


Oscar