I am a new official and I am doing my first game tomorrow, two of them actually, at the middle school level. I coached that level for a few years so I know to expect anything and everything. Any advice?

I survived my floor test but I was so concerned with getting positioning right that I missed several calls. It was hard with someone screaming in my ear all night telling me where to be standing and stuff. I hope that doesn't happen tomorrow. Thanks for any advice.

Welcome to the Ranks DSTURDY
 

There are many obvious things that I can tell you about the first game, let me mention one that is sometimes overlooked (Pun Intended).
BEFORE PUTTING THE BALL INTO PLAY MAKE SURE YOU ESTABLISH EYE CONTACT WITH YOUR PARTNER!

The other thing is SLOW DOWN...... The game cannot until you and your partner are ready.

Have FUN!!

First Game
 

I remember my first game last year. I was a nervous wreck. I officiated middle school games as well. I was trying so hard to do everything right. First thing do not be in a hurry to blow your whistle. We as first time officials can't wait to make that first call. Make sure a violation or foul was committed. All I can say relax have fun trust your partner and call what you see. Also, every game you do work on a different mechanic and you will vastly improve. The more games you do the better you will become. Have fun.

Blow your whistle loudly, and put your hand (or fist) up sharply at the same time. Stop that clock with a strong mechanic because this shows your are confident in your call (even if you are not). Don't tell anyone it is your first game (even your partner). And, then don't tell anyone it's only your second game...etc...

Relax, SLOW down, have fun. Good luck.

best of luck...slow down,breath, and relax and you should do fine


Cheers

AD

Don't anticipate,let the game come to you.At that level there is going to be a lot of sloppy play, so just take the time to be sure you know what the right call is. And sometimes the best call is a no call.Last but not least, Have fun!!

You made a good point that sometimes happens when an official is worried about being in the right spot "don't forget to referee". Don't be so worried about position that you forget to call the game. Do, however, know what your primary area of responsibility is and don't make a habit of calling fouls and violations in your partner's lap. Slow down, hold your whistle an extra split second on those close calls, you will find that many of them can be no calls. When you do blow your whistle, pause for a split second, tell your partner what your call is in a voice so that the players and coaches will likely know also, then hustle,don't hurry, to the table to report. Nobody is going anywhere til you get done, did I mention slow down?

Just as Zebra44 mentioned, don't anticipate. I remember my first game and several thereafter where I anticipated the foul. A cardinal mistake and one that is easy to make as a rookie official. Take your time! I was always in a rush to make the call. Slow down. In the case of fouls, make sure you relay the correct information to your partner prior to rushing off to the table. Verbally let them know the shooter's number and visually let them know how many free throws they will be attempting. If a throw in is the result of the foul, indicate the throw in spot. There is nothing worse than wondering what your partner has and how the ball is next to be put in play. As for letting your partner know it is your first game, why not. He may get that impression anyway! I always told my partner I was a first and even second year official. Many officials will not comment on your game unless you specifically let them know you are looking for their help. Learn from the experienced officials. They were once in your shoes. Have a great game and enjoy!

Watch Veteran Officials!
 

Great advice by all...BUT, something you can do to improve yourself has nothing to do with what YOU do on the court.
It has to do with Veteran Officials!
Go to a Varsity Game, watch the Veterans work.
You will pick up a whole lot of "stuff" that you never even thought of as a fan watching the game.
* Court coverage
* Mechanics
* Dead ball positioning (where the officials stand, etc.)
* How to "look" confident in your calls
* Hustle (or lack of);)
* Free Throw administration
* Time out administration
* Handling Coaches and Players
There is a whole host of information you can get just by going to a game and watching the Vets. Also, go in the locker room at half time and just listen. Hear what the Vets are talking about...heck, they might even ask you your opinion on a play. (BTW, don't go in the locker room spouting off that they missed something...go in there to learn.)
Good Luck!

Dude

DSTURDY
 

How did it go?

Thanks for all of your input. I survived. I had two games one sixth grade girls and one eighth grade girls. Both games were rather physical. The assigner for the league messed up and had three games going on with four new officials so my partner and I were both rookies. We did all right for ourselves I think. We missed a few in the early game but it was 26-4 at half time and we really didn't effect the game. The second game was tougher. Bigger kids, harder calls. The coaches of one of the teams was all over us from the beginning.

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. Neither one of us blew the whistle. After the ball goes up the other end and team B is now shooting ft's the player 1 on team A said to me, "watch the pushes underneath." I told her, "I saw you hit the floor but couldn't see what happened so I didn't call it." Was I all right in how I handled her? Should I have ignored it or spoke with her on the side as she was inbounding the ball? What is the propper way to handle a player in that situation who is really frustrated?

dsturdy5,

Replace, "I saw you hit the floor but couldn't see what happened so I didn't call it."
with, "Okay, I will." ;)

Or, ... for a big smash and crash, call it on the closest defender. :rolleyes:

mick

I agree with mick, as usual. I think a good response, if one is given at all, should be something not too strong like he said, "Okay, I will," or something that spreads the blame around: "Mr. Ref, 33 is pushing." "Yeah, I see a lot of pushing on both sides." The main thing to remember is that you are not obligated to explain or justify a call to anyone. Also, there are so many things which defy explanation. One kid slaps another on the arm, everybody in the building hears the slap, you can see individual finger marks on the arm as the shooter attempts his free throws, but the first kid's mother screams, "You blind so and so, he didn't touch anything but the ball." This is why we get the big bucks. :)

Welcome Dsturdy 5,

I started last year and the learning curve was pretty steep.
It still is. I actually enjoy reffing as much as I enjoyed playing (when I was a younger man). This board can be quite helpful.

My comment regarding yor situation is similar, use as few words as possible when talking to players and coaches, yet at the same let them know that you will be looking for that the next time down the floor.

As for general advice. Appear confident with calls even when you're not. I worked with a veteran official from our association who does not have a good reputation with coaches. The main thing I noticed with him was that his mechanics were not smooth and his body language made him seem unsure of himself with most calls. I have a feeling a major reason why he is not liked by most coaches is that he does not visually appear to be a good official. With that perception, it doesn't matter what he calls, people will think it is the wrong call.

Welcome to the forum I have found it very interesting an informative. Everyone's advice has been excellant but I will add something I found helpful.
Keep a log of your game a sort of a diary and include plays you remember that were difficult or confusing or you just didn't know what to call. It doesn't have to be a five page report but a paragraph or even a few thoughts. Review them on occasion and see if there is a common thread.

Welcome!
 

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.

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."

more problems for new officials
 

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.

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!

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.