New Ref Advice

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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