Hello from JB Caldwell Camp

[JRutledge]

My camp was at a HS gym. All other areas of the building was air conditioned. The gyms were not, or at least it did not feel that way. Outside Temp.=98-100, Heat index= over a 100, mainly because of the humidity. Thank God we did not have to do the entire game. We rotated every 10 minutes.

Peace

[Brian Watson]

I worked a shootout this weekend in an old warehouse.

18 minute running halves, game every 50 minutes, 4 games sets saturday, 3 sunday.

It was about 96 outside and much warmer in. They had a few of those big fans, but by the end of the last game each day (especially Saturday) I wanted to passout.

Best part, coach in my 4th game Saturday.

HM: "We want a little extra warm up and half-time, this is my girls' 3rd game and we are tired.

Me: "Sorry, we have to stay on schedule.

HM: "It is our third game today, we are spent."

Me: "Coach, this is my fourth game in a row, and I don't get to sub out, you are crying up the wrong tree."

HM: "So what you're sayign is we don't get any extra time?"

Me: Icy Stare

[Mike Burns]

Larks, I also attended the J B Caldwell camp. I wish I would have known to look for you there. I met a few guys from Ohio. Did we do a game together on Sunday (court 3 at ICI)?

I agree with Larks in that this camp offered a lot of "bang for the Buck". Excelent instruction! For the past three years I have worked on rules knowlege. At this camp rules were not emphasized. I think that rules knowlege by the attendies was a given. What I was impressed with was the emphasis on the "ART" of officiating rather than the "science" of officiating. The philosophy of making the right call in the right situation. I have to admitt that when I first heard some of you like CREW and others talk about this I had a hard time accepting it. I am coming to the realization that if you are a "rule book" official you won't last long.

Clinitions were mostly D1 officials and there were a few "guests" (I'm not going to start name dropping since Larks didn't). OK, I got to break down film with Nolan Fine. There I said it and I'm glad. Hey, I was pumped up to be able to have that kind of knowlege to tap into, forgive me.

As far as the pay off for the investment. My association's assignment officer was at the camp. Enough said!

Mike

[Mike Burns]

Oops! I just reread your origional post and realized that you were in the previous session. I must have gotten there the day after you left and spent Friday through Sunday at the camp.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Mike Burns


I am coming to the realization that if you are a "rule book" official you won't last long.

Not really trying to spark a major debate, but why do you feel that way?

Peace

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by Mike Burns
I agree with Larks in that this camp offered a lot of "bang for the Buck". Excelent instruction! For the past three years I have worked on rules knowlege. At this camp rules were not emphasized. I think that rules knowlege by the attendies was a given. What I was impressed with was the emphasis on the "ART" of officiating rather than the "science" of officiating. The philosophy of making the right call in the right situation. I have to admitt that when I first heard some of you like CREW and others talk about this I had a hard time accepting it. I am coming to the realization that if you are a "rule book" official you won't last long.

Mike, I agree with you completely. Most "rule book officials" are releatively inexperienced, still learning the ropes. They make calls strictly on the rules. They don't apply advantage/disadvantage, game management skiills or any type of philosophy to their game. You are probably correct that the camp administrators expect rules knowledge to be a given. A quality official has to have a firm, working knowledge of the rules. This basic knowledge is the corner stone of growing into a quality, veteran official.

Quality camps should focus on mechanics and knowing what to call and most importantly, what not to call. Philosophy, game management, and court presence are qualities that should be developed at camp. I don't disagree with those that place a high priority on those. But without a strong understanding of the rules, that official will screw up sooner or later. For example, B1 grabs the backboard and holds on while blocking a shot. obviously, the correct call is a T. But you can't score the basket. And I've read posts where such a proposal was made.

Like you said, camps don't focus on the rules. They expect you to know them when you get there.

[Larks]

Originally posted by Mike Burns
Oops! I just reread your origional post and realized that you were in the previous session. I must have gotten there the day after you left and spent Friday through Sunday at the camp.

Yep, I was there first session. I stayed thru Thursday's camp tourney so I ended up there 6 days. Took off Friday AM.

You're comment about the Art vs. Science of officiating is dead on. Rules wise, the only thing covered was changes in NF for 2002 / 2003.

I didnt want to name drop either. We had college refs (all levels) and prominent Florida refs as clinicians. Everyone that I worked with knew their stuff and was very intereted in helping me improve. I actually got to work 2 games with college refs which was awesome. These are up and coming guys who are all in the SEC system I believe. The things I noticed about those guys....they are smooth. Their mech's are crisp and flawless. Their confidence in their calls and in dealing with players and coaches was strong.

I could go on and on. Again...if you are in your 2nd or 3rd year and know the rules but are wondering whats next.....If you are looking for teachers who are more of a coach than someone worried about you taking their games....If you want to learn game management and how to handle situations....THIS IS YOUR CAMP.

Larks

[BBarnaky]

Glad you guys enjoyed the camp. If you remember I posted all that information on the board months ago regarding how great that camp really is. Glad I didn't lead anyone astray.

That was my third year instructing at the camp and I really echo the same comments as far as the hard work all the instructors really put into the camp. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK. No doubt about it.

I remember you Mike Burns. Unfortunately, I only instructed the weekend camp and was unavailable for the first session as I was in my SEC/ACC camp myself during that session so I didn't get to meet you Larks.

Glad it went well for all who attended. Spread the word, that is the only way people will know where to go. It is great to get a good base of fundamentals and knowledge there for the cheap price and then, when you feel your ready, attend a camp with some supervisors.

Best of luck.

[Mike Burns]

Originally posted by JRutledge

Not really trying to spark a major debate, but why do you feel that way?

Peace

Tony said it better than I can, but...

The first three years of officiating I have focused on learning the rules. Now I have to learn how to apply those rules to make the game better. Part of this is understanding game management as well as game flow. (Quote) "The best call of the game may be the one you didn't make." That comment has not set well with me in the past, because I thought "the rules are there to be enforced". And yes they are, but not to the extent that you have game interupters. Obviously I am not saying to throw the book out, but rather to know how and when to apply the intent of the rules, so we can call the best game for the players, coaches and fans.

BBarnaky, thanks for a great camp. I think one of the aspects that make the camp what it is, is the way that you and the other clinitions comunicated with the campers. There was no "big timing" or talking down to the campers, but clear comunication. Real people that love the game and want to help to make better officials.

[BBarnaky]

Thats probably my best character trait!!!
I LOVE THE GAME!!! Glad you had a great time.
Looking forward to doing in again next summer as usual.
No big timing here as that camp is where I got my start and eventually hired into small college and eventually into Divison I as well.
That camp is where I "cut my teeth" so to speak.

Later

PS Watch as much film as you can during your upcoming season. You will be surprised in the results!!!

[stripes]

Originally posted by Mike Burns
Tony said it better than I can, but...

The first three years of officiating I have focused on learning the rules. Now I have to learn how to apply those rules to make the game better. Part of this is understanding game management as well as game flow. (Quote) "The best call of the game may be the one you didn't make." That comment has not set well with me in the past, because I thought "the rules are there to be enforced". And yes they are, but not to the extent that you have game interupters. Obviously I am not saying to throw the book out, but rather to know how and when to apply the intent of the rules, so we can call the best game for the players, coaches and fans.

I believe that this is one of the hardest things to learn as a newer official. I think we all go through the "cop" phase where we try to "get" every little thing because it is in the rule book. A good working knowledge of the rules is very important, but knowing how and when to apply them is even more important. This concept is hard to explain to younger officials so that they will get it and understand. I think you said that officiating is an art rather than a science and that is a great analogy. It is not an exact thing in most cases (if it were, reffing would be much easier) and we have to know how and when to pick our spots.

[Stan]

Originally posted by BBarnaky

PS Watch as much film as you can during your upcoming season. You will be surprised in the results!!!

What tapes? Of yourself from a camp, previous game, something else? This is probably a dumb question or an obvious answer but somebody has to ask the dumb ones. I've not been to a camp yet. All I'm doing is summer legues at the ymca and I probably will not do HS or JR high. I've got kids playing that I enjoy watching. I do want to improve though and this board helps.

Thanks guys, and gals.

[devdog69]

Originally posted by Stan

What tapes? Of yourself from a camp, previous game, something else? This is probably a dumb question or an obvious answer but somebody has to ask the dumb ones. I've not been to a camp yet. All I'm doing is summer legues at the ymca and I probably will not do HS or JR high. I've got kids playing that I enjoy watching. I do want to improve though and this board helps.

Thanks guys, and gals.

Stan,

One of the most valuable tools for those of us trying to improve (I think that includes all of us) is watching film of our work. You just don't realize some of the idiosyncracies you have and/or how you look on the court. Your run, stance, facial expressions, etc. It may be hard to do working rec league but when you start working JH or HS or whatever get a tape every chance you get and watch yourself. It really is amazing how fast you can correct something once you see yourself do it. I usually get my tapes by giving a blank to the athletic director along with some postage (maybe a SASE) and ask them to make me a copy. Always after we have had a good game and usually after they were victorious, for obvious reasons. There are other ways of getting film, i.e., taking an extra vcr, having friends go and film, etc. but that is what works for me.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Mike Burns

Tony said it better than I can, but...

The first three years of officiating I have focused on learning the rules. Now I have to learn how to apply those rules to make the game better. Part of this is understanding game management as well as game flow. (Quote) "The best call of the game may be the one you didn't make." That comment has not set well with me in the past, because I thought "the rules are there to be enforced". And yes they are, but not to the extent that you have game interupters. Obviously I am not saying to throw the book out, but rather to know how and when to apply the intent of the rules, so we can call the best game for the players, coaches and fans.

Well in my first 3 years, I tried to learn it all. I had to, my schedule was too good or too advanced not to. I had to learn the rules, mechanics and game management skills right off the bat. It is great to know the rules, but no one will know it if your "presentation" is not there. You have to have everything together, down to the way you run the pregame meeting. That is your first opportunity to show what kind of official you are. If you cannot do that, you do not have the opportunity to get that "first impression" back.

IMHO, rules do not come until you have seen many of the things live and in color. You might understand what goaltending is, but if you have never seen it, it might be much harder to call. That is one of the biggest reasons around here, evaluators and assignor judge you depending on what level of officiating you do. Class AA(Larger Schools) Officials are held in higher regard than Class A Officials. Because if you have never seen the game above the rim, it can be very difficult to call one. No matter how good you know the rules.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by JRutledge
Well in my first 3 years, I tried to learn it all. I had to, my schedule was too good or too advanced not to. I had to learn the rules, mechanics and game management skills right off the bat.

I think I'm gonna be sick!