New Ref Advice

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by garn05

I am a new member to your board so if this issue has been addressed, then I apologize in advance. I did read over the thread about mentoring new refs (noobies) and it was helpful. The question I pose here is this: What advice can you give me as I start out this season? I have NO experience, never played the game, and only coached it a couple of times at the YMCA. (Yes, I hear the groans from here). Having said that, I do love the game and have been "working" at the local Y as a ref. I have been studying the rules book, attended all the county training & meetings, and have watched games (middle school mainly as the season isn't underway yet), but short of actually getting out on the court, which will come in time, what can I do to help myself and the refs who dare to call games with me?

Thanks for any help you can give me....

Fellow newbie here. Sees like you have the right attitude and a willingness to learn.

What I've learned this first year:
1. Practice your signals in front of a mirror or while being videotaped.
2. Get a Fox 40 whistle and practice blowing it.
3. Get your hand up EVERY time you blow the whistle (Surprisingly hard to remember).
4. Get good shoes -
5. Read the rule book especially Rule 4 definitions. Get the case book and Illustrated Rules as well.
6. Pick one or two things to work on every game.
7. Keep a game log on what went well/poorly, things to work on.
8. Slow Down

[grunewar]

A few more:

- WYP - Watch Your Primary area
- TYP - Trust Your Partners to watch their areas
- Hustle
- Be consistent
- Be firm
- Know the rules
- Look sharp (uniform and physically - it helps)
- Communicate constantly (know where your partner(s) is/are)
- Develop your pre-game ritual, and ALWAYS do a pre-game with your partner(s)
- Be ready for everything and anything.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

[Vinski]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

Fellow newbie here. Sees like you have the right attitude and a willingness to learn.

What I've learned this first year:
1. Practice your signals in front of a mirror or while being videotaped.
2. Get a Fox 40 whistle and practice blowing it.
3. Get your hand up EVERY time you blow the whistle (Surprisingly hard to remember).
4. Get good shoes -
5. Read the rule book especially Rule 4 definitions. Get the case book and Illustrated Rules as well.
6. Pick one or two things to work on every game.
7. Keep a game log on what went well/poorly, things to work on.
8. Slow Down

I think dsqrddgd909 covered it pretty well. That’s a good solid list to start off with. The only thing that I would add would be to watch and ref as much basketball as possible. Study the game.

Good luck and have fun!

[Grail]

I'll add to this.

When you go to a game, watch the officials. Most of us watch the ball. In particular, watch the off ball official to see what he/she is doing and where he/she is looking.

One other thing I did a lot of when I was new was to watch the game as if I was the trail official. It is a different view when you are watching a game without watching the ball.

Other than that, enjoy it and good luck.

Easiest way to deal with coaches: Eat sardines before the game and don't bother to brush.

[Scratch85]

garn05, welcome to the world of officiating.

Since your OP said that games "will come in time", I assume you do not currently have any games scheduled. Some things to do to prepare without being on a court are:

As stated earlier, practice your mechanics in front of a mirror. Even practive reporting fouls, speaking out loud and reporting in the proper sequence. The report needs to be clear not quick.

Practice putting air in your whistle. A timid whistle looks bad. Know how much "blow" it takes to get a good sharp whistle. Then in a game you will be prepared to use it when needed.

Play a sequence out in your head while you go through the motions. As an example; call a foul as the lead, report it, make any switch that may be required, resume game. It would be great if you had a court to practice on.

Most of all, relax and have fun. You obviously are looking forward to reffing and making an effort to be good at it. That effort puts you well on your way to being a good ref.

Good Luck!

[Mark Padgett]

Since you're not getting game assignments yet, I suggest you attend as many games as possible at the level you will be working. Take notes. Find a friendly guy or gal who is working those games and ask him or her your questions.

Also remember - the rules you will be using are not what you see on television when you watch the NBA.

[Back In The Saddle]

You will learn a lot by watching games, and especially by watching other officials work. Whether what you learn is good and useful depends a lot upon which officials you choose to work. Find out who the good ones in your area are, and go watch them. At whatever level they work. And if you can, ask them not just what/where/how/when questions, but why questions too.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.