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-   -   My first 'official' game! (https://forum.officiating.com/basketball/55553-my-first-official-game.html)

showbo Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:06pm

My first 'official' game!
 
Ok, so I finally get to ref my first official game for the schools. I am first year, first REAL game so I am a bit nervous to say the least. It was a 8th grade boys game, very sloppy play but they are 13-14 years old, so I expected that. My experience is reading my official’s manual and 4 summer scrimmages, which did not follow the set rules at all.

I will be honest, I hesitated quite a few times, so I missed 3 or 4 calls, but all in all I had a good time. The other official that was working with me said that was a great first game for me and told me to work on positioning and voicing out my calls. My next game is Tuesday, JV girls at the varsity arena. That will be interesting.

Well, I thought I would share my experience and I will be looking through posts for questions I have, and to gain more knowledge. Don't worry everyone; I know how to use a search button!



Oscar

Nevadaref Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:09pm

http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...s/welcome2.gif

We're here to help. Ask whatever you need. :)

Of course, a few of us will give you a hard time if you don't use the search button for our mostly commonly asked questions. ;)

BillyMac Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:22pm

Inquiring Minds Want To Know, Quickly ...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadaref (Post 638241)
A few of us will give you a hard time if you don't use the search button for our mostly commonly asked questions.

Yeah. Tell me about it.

Nevadaref Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyMac (Post 638245)
Yeah. Tell me about it.

Actually, in your case, a certain poster harasses you about not searching the Past Interps Archive for rulings already made by the NFHS to some of the questions that you pose. :D

BillyMac Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:49pm

Thanks Again Nevadaref ...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadaref (Post 638247)
Past Interps Archive

Still one of my favorite sticky threads. Unlike some posters, I haven't committed the "Nevadaref Archives" to memory. Why bother? At my age I forget more stuff than I remember. Now where are my car keys?

Mark Padgett Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:49pm

But - do you know the "first rule of officiating"? :rolleyes:

BillyMac Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:57pm

Don't Even Think About Asking What's The First Rule ???
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett (Post 638251)
Do you know the "first rule of officiating"?

showbo: I beg you, please just answer, "Yes", and let's move on.

refnrev Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:11pm

No, Showbo, I think you should ask him. Go ahead and ask.

Nevadaref Thu Nov 26, 2009 01:08am

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyMac (Post 638252)
showbo: I beg you, please just answer, "Yes", and let's move on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by refnrev (Post 638256)
No, Showbo, I think you should ask him. Go ahead and ask.

Now what will he do? The anticipation is so great that I just might wet myself. :D

grunewar Thu Nov 26, 2009 07:29am

Quote:

Originally Posted by showbo (Post 638240)
...all in all I had a good time.

Welcome! This is the key! Good luck with your next game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett (Post 638251)
But - do you know the "first rule of officiating"? :rolleyes:

I'm not getting involved here......

ref3808 Thu Nov 26, 2009 08:43am

Congratulations on completing your first game. I started this year as well. The new shirt arrived two days ago and I'm still waiting for the first assignment.

Back In The Saddle Thu Nov 26, 2009 01:38pm

Welcome to the fraternity. Yes, there will be some hazing required, but we let the coaches take care of that. ;)

Your experience sounds a lot like mine. The hesitations will disappear over time as you learn to recognize situations in "real time" and response appropriately. I like to tell new officials that the secret to improving is to make mistakes and learn from them. The secret to improving more quickly is to make mistakes more quickly. :D

Your partner's advice is intended to set you up for success in your coming games. It's not possible to work on "everything" at once. So pick one or two things to work on each game and you'll steadily improve.

One thing that helped me is to keep a game journal. After every assignment spend a few minutes recording your thoughts, questions, unusual situations, things to work on, etc. Then go to work finding answers to your questions, looking up the rules you weren't sure of, etc. The process of setting goals (e.g., picking 1-2 things to work on before each game) before the game and reviewing your performance (e.g., how did you do with those items) afterward will help you improve more quickly. And that makes it more fun. :)

Vinski Thu Nov 26, 2009 02:41pm

Congratulations and welcome. The more experience you get and the more you improve, the more fun it is.

It’s easy to be nervous, but just relax and don’t second guess yourself during the game. You know what a foul looks like. Call ‘em like you see ‘em.

You must be doing pretty darn good to get a JV game so soon. Keep it up.

JPaco54 Thu Nov 26, 2009 07:22pm

How does first year ref get middle school and JV games?
 
Good for you! It is great to get into the action. Where I am it takes at least two years to get into JV Freshman games and sometimes MS games. We get evaluated at pre-game scrimmages and the requirements are strict. Some guys dont make it and may remain in the younger church or school programs. Some aren't asked to come back. We usually have 30 new refs come out each year and maybe half will make it to a MS game which would be after two months of evaluations. It could take a few years to get a small varsity game. Very competitive here and senority plays a big part which it should. Have fun and stay sharp!

showbo Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:14pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyMac (Post 638252)
showbo: I beg you, please just answer, "Yes", and let's move on.

Why yes, yes I do.


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