Rookie Schedule

[Back In The Saddle]

Have a chat with your assigner. Ask what is realistic for a first year official. Exhibit an attitude of gratitude for the games you are getting, and express your willingness to pick up any turn backs that may come. In my part of the world, a new official will often get most of his or her games that way.

There are things you can do to improve your chances of picking up turn backs. Assigners are just regular people. When a problem arises, they want to solve it quickly and painlessly. Every assigner has a small list of guys who will take assignments on short notice, travel, take care of problem partners, etc.. These are the guys he calls first. You want to be on that list. So...

• Have wide open availability
• Keep your block/availability calendar up to date
• Keep your bag packed and in your vehicle
• Find out how your assigner prefers to be contacted (phone, email, IM, etc.)
• Maintain regular contact. If you know that Tuesdays are his biggest day, then maybe shoot him an email on Monday or call him Tuesday mid-morning, and ask him if he needs any help.

Keep in mind one reason assigners hesitate to assign new officials is they are an unknown quantity. So work every game the best you can. You want word to get back to your assigner that you always work hard, exhibit a professional demeanor, have the stones for the job, can fix problems, work well with partners, are reliable, and most of all...you don't generate negative phone calls.

Good luck!