New Ref Advice

[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.

[MikeK27]

Last year was my first year and one of the most helpful things I found was just coming here and reading through the posts. Reading the different situations people wrote about and how different the interpretations can be really helped me.

I also used, I think someone may have mentioned it, the Simplified and Illustrated Rule Book too. It broke things down a bit for me and helped out.

[Fathertime]

The one thing that really helped me is that my first couple of years, I would find varsity games that had officials that I really respected assigned to it. I would call one of these officials in advance and ask if I could go in their locker room to hear their pregame, then also at halftime and after the game. I would watch the game, then I could hear their discussions in the dressing room and ask questions about conversations on the court with each other or coaches. I asked why they either made or passed on certain calls during the game.

Calling a game is the easy part. Game management is what really separates the good from the great officials, and this spending time in the locker room really helped me improve my game management. Remember to ask permission first though. Every official was in your boat at one time, and the good ones will try to help you when they see the extra effort you are making.

[garn05]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the humor as well as sharing your insight as to what works. Just reading the posts made me realize that I am not so foolish to want to do this thing right while trying to have some fun in the process. I will check in to let you all know how i am doing without trying to bore you with my rookies stories. In the meantime, I'll continue to read your posts so I can learn as well as pick up the book mentioned in one post. Thanks again....

Sardines; that was a good one!

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by MikeK27

Last year was my first year and one of the most helpful things I found was just coming here and reading through the posts. Reading the different situations people wrote about and how different the interpretations can be really helped me.

I also used, I think someone may have mentioned it, the Simplified and Illustrated Rule Book too. It broke things down a bit for me and helped out.

As a fellow newbie last year too...what MikeK said goes double for me. I learned a great deal reading the posts here (always with my Rule Book, Case Book,&Simplified Rules Book at my side) and on occassion posting a question regarding either a game sitch. or a mechanics question....and finding the replies invaluable in helping me develop as a first year official.
Good luck in your first season, and welcome to the forum.

[eyezen]

If you are truely a noob then more than likely your first games are going to be of the rec league or non sanctioned middle school variety. You may have to clear it with those in charge but find a highly respected varsity or above official and have then literally work the game with you, as in follow you up and down the court. They can help get you in position and help get you looking at what you need to look at. It is much easier to learn doing it this way than have someone observe you and then talk during breaks or worse afterwards. This is better than even immediate feedback. Situations don't always present themselves in the same way again and the opportunity to learn is lost.

[refnrev]

You've gotten some good advice. Here a few more thoughts.
1. Remember it takes some time to become a good official.
2. Learn something from every parther you work with. It will be good or maybe bad... but learn from it.
3. Never become an official because you know you can do better than the guys out there. Not necessarily a true statement as you will see the first time you step on the court.
4. Mistakes help you to "own" the rules next time out.
5. Wear good shoes
6. Keep that uniform neat and clean.
7. Have fun...after all they are called games.
8. Use a Fox 40 whistle... preferably a cmg... and fill it up with air
9. Listen to the veterans. They have paid their dues.