First game tomorrow

[Ron]

Glad you got through it alright.

This is my second year of reffing, and I'll never forget my first game. When I blew my whistle, sometimes my hand would go up, sometimes it would stay down, sometimes it would go up, then down. A mechanical nightmare!!

Go to at least one camp next summer, and you won't believe how much you improve.

[Pirate]

Dsturdy:

Whenever I get one of those "generic" complaints from coaches or players like "watch the pushes", I simply ask for the number of the player to watch for and usually neither the coach or the player can give me a specific number. It tends to quiet them down a bit when they can't identify the player who supposedly is doing the pushing. If they can give you a number, simply say "sure, I'll look for it."

[bossref]

Great advice has been given.
Here's a few more.....

Try to relax
Don't go looking for things to call
Don't call out of your primary area
Never blow your partner's lines
Make sure you point in right direction
Don't explain judgement calls
Stay with your partner between quarters
Never disrespect your partner
Give the perception that you care
Use the T as a tool (not a weapon)
Think of the players/coaches as your customer
Check your ego (and problems) at the door
Keep your mouth shut unless you can improve the silence!
Always continue to learn and improve.

[Andy]

Originally posted by dsturdy5
I had a play where I was the lead and player 1 on team A is going in for a shot and is obviously pushed. Neither my parter nor I could see who did it.

If neither you nor your partner could see another player push the ball handler, how do you know for certain that she was pushed??

At this level, the players are not always in complete control of their bodies, more so with girls than boys, in my experience. I've seen a lot of ugly looking plays at the Jr Hi level where everyone and their brother is screaming for a foul, but all we have is several bodies out of control.

Just some more to think about as your officiating career continues. Good Luck!

[ScottParks]

It's not just at the Jr. High level! varsity games (boys) this past weekend with players out of control through the lane and the coaches crying for a foul to bail his kids out.