First state tournament assignment---Advise please

Pirate

Do any of you veterans have some advice for a first-time state tournament official? Maybe a list of do's or don'ts? Thanks ahead of time for the info.

Ron Pilo

1) Dress Professionally on and off the court.

2) Always Hustle.

3) Use crisp NFHS mechanics.

4) Remember you deserve to be there.

5) Last but not least "HAVE FUN"!!!!!

What tourney you going to? I am also going to a Washington State tourney.

bigwhistle

Ears and eyes open....MOUTH SHUT!!!!

Make everything a positive experience. You are there because of your ability. Just work the games assigned, regardless of the classification.

What you say and do off the court is many times more important that what you do on the court in the eyes of those who select the officials for the state tournament. Do nothing to make them regret their decision.

Have a great time and cherish the memory. It will be one of the highlights of your career, regardless of how high you advance in your officiating career.

ChuckElias

Originally posted by Pirate
Do any of you veterans have some advice for a first-time state tournament official?

When and if I ever get a Mass state tournament game, I'll pass on any helpful hints I pick up. Fingers crossed for this month. . .

Chuck

DrakeM

First of all, Congratulations!
Enjoy the games you do, and don't be too dissapointed if you don't work as far into the tournament as you'd like to.
Not many first-timers make it to the semi's or finals.

stripes

Do the things that got you there. Don't try and do too much. Relax and enjoy the experience.

canuckrefguy

Remember that however many fans there are, however big the gym is, whatever's at stake, whether or not the game's on TV, or whatever -- no more will be asked of you than at any other game this year. Your first foul of the game should still be a good, solid call. You should still keep a patient whistle and let the kids play. You should still be aware of the clock, foul count, AP, and the other little things that that you normally do. You should still trust your partner and watch your primary. The game will be the same. Just a bit more exciting. You got picked for a reason. Ref your own game, be a good partner, and HAVE FUN!

RookieDude

Originally posted by Ron Pilo
What tourney you going to? I am also going to a Washington State tourney.

Hey, Congrats guys. Looks like we have a few of us, on this Forum, going to the Washington State Tourneys.

I am fortunate enough to get my second State Assignment this year. I am going to the B Tournament in Spokane, WA.
Last year had the 2A Tourney in Yakima, WA. (It was my First State Tourney...BIG TIME "Pucker Factor" 🙂...some advice, don't change what you have been doing all year, try to relax and just have fun...hope you get a partner that compliments each of you.)

We get to choose in the order we are selected from our Association...I selected second and picked the B Tourney since my buddy picked the 4A Tourney in Tacoma, Wa with the first pick. I had already been to Yakima and wanted to see what alot of the guys were saying about the B Tourney being a great one in Spokane.

Originally posted by bigwhistle
Have a great time and cherish the memory. It will be one of the highlights of your career

AMEN to that! It is what we have worked so hard for...absolutely a great experience!

GOOD LUCK!...congrats to all on this board who are achieving thier goals...and a big THANK-YOU to those of you that have helped us attain these goals.

Dude

oatmealqueen

Originally posted by Pirate
Do any of you veterans have some advice for a first-time state tournament official? Maybe a list of do's or don'ts? Thanks ahead of time for the info.

Be there nice and early, and I mean reallllyy early. Gives you time to relax and focus.
Please don't bring friends with you that want to get in at no charge. If you want to bring significant other, please call ahead and ask. (always offer to pay for s.o.)
Wear clean underwear.

rockyroad

1)Dress up for the Tuesday evening meeting - do not go in jeans or sweats! The evaluators are at the same meeting, and you can't change that first impression they get from you...

2)Like Ron Pilo said - use crisp, sharp Fed. mechanics - that's the biggest thing that will move you on or get you bounced early...

3)Stay in your own pasture - don't go grazing in your partner's primary area!

4)Re-read what Pilo wrote - he's done extremely well at the WA State tournaments...

5)Enjoy every minute of it - meet every official you can (girl's side, boy's side, who cares) and watch every second of ball you can!!

6)Hustle your butt off!

Congrats and good luck!!

JRutledge

Originally posted by oatmealqueen

Originally posted by Pirate
Do any of you veterans have some advice for a first-time state tournament official? Maybe a list of do's or don'ts? Thanks ahead of time for the info.

Be there nice and early, and I mean reallllyy early. Gives you time to relax and focus.
Please don't bring friends with you that want to get in at no charge. If you want to bring significant other, please call ahead and ask. (always offer to pay for s.o.)
Wear clean underwear.

Why is there a problem with bringing friends? I do this all the time and no one says a thing. I tell them they are with me and they say nothing. I did this during the football season playoffs and no one said anything or made a fuss.

Just asking.

Peace

rainmaker

Originally posted by JRutledge

Originally posted by oatmealqueen

Originally posted by Pirate
Do any of you veterans have some advice for a first-time state tournament official? Maybe a list of do's or don'ts? Thanks ahead of time for the info.

Be there nice and early, and I mean reallllyy early. Gives you time to relax and focus.
Please don't bring friends with you that want to get in at no charge. If you want to bring significant other, please call ahead and ask. (always offer to pay for s.o.)
Wear clean underwear.

Why is there a problem with bringing friends? I do this all the time and no one says a thing. I tell them they are with me and they say nothing. I did this during the football season playoffs and no one said anything or made a fuss.

Just asking.

Peace

Rut -- It may depend on the venue. I know around here they are extremely tight with the extra admissions. Probably best to check ahead.

JRutledge

Originally posted by rainmaker

Rut -- It may depend on the venue. I know around here they are extremely tight with the extra admissions. Probably best to check ahead.

Well Juulie, around here it is very common for people to bring friends, fellow officials, wives, girlfriends, parents and children and have never had them pay anything to enter the facilities.

When my mentor that got me involved in officiating got his first regional, I went with him to every game. I never paid a cent to watch him officiate. As a matter of fact, I taped all games for all officials (I happened to know all the officials in this particular regional). We never asked called ahead for permission. I guess it is one of those "regional" things we talk about from time to time.

Peace

CK

Good Job Pirate, my Prayers and thoughts will be with you!

Make Us Proud!
CK

stan-MI

Treat it like any other game, because every game is important to the participants. Seriously, don't worry about it. I'm sure you conduct yourself in a professional manner always. Congratulations.

oatmealqueen

Originally posted by JRutledge

Originally posted by rainmaker

Rut -- It may depend on the venue. I know around here they are extremely tight with the extra admissions. Probably best to check ahead.

Well Juulie, around here it is very common for people to bring friends, fellow officials, wives, girlfriends, parents and children and have never had them pay anything to enter the facilities.

It's discouraged in my area. Admissions are tight. We never bring friends along unless approved ahead of time. Gives the appearance of trying to get in withot paying. Can't speak for everyone, just around here.

Rich

I worked a boys varsity game earlier this year where my wife came along, as she does for a few games every season. The harda$$ at the table told her that unless she was working the game with me that admission was $3.

I had never even suggested that she get in for free, BTW. This was preemptive nastiness.

I told the AD about it. He was embarrassed, but I never did see that $3.

LOL.

Rich

JRutledge

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
I worked a boys varsity game earlier this year where my wife came along, as she does for a few games every season. The harda$$ at the table told her that unless she was working the game with me that admission was $3.

I had never even suggested that she get in for free, BTW. This was preemptive nastiness.

I told the AD about it. He was embarrassed, but I never did see that $3.

LOL.

Rich

This just baffles me. I have never had this happen. Not at any tournament. As long as they come in with us, they get in free. And better yet, I have known officials that told the ticket takers that their family was coming later, and they let all of them in without charging them. This happen at my old HS where I did my first varsity game. One of my partners had is Mother, girlfriend, brother, his brother's wife, his Step-father and his neice. And my Mom was with me and not anyone paid.

I guess they just treat you all with a different level of respect.

Peace

Dubby

I think the bigger question here is 'why shouldn't they pay?'

I can only speak for the Minnesota State Tournament and their policy on guests. It is very restrictive. Each official is issued a tournament pass (the boys and girls tournaments are on seperate weekends). That pass will get you in any where during the entire tournament. Each official is also issued one 'guest' ticket for the session they are working. In MN you work one game during one day of the tournament. They have a seperate group of officials for the quarters, semi's, final's and 3rd place games. The only ones who work more than one game are the championship officials who usually will work a quarterfinal also.

As for advice, these guys have hit it right on the head. Like bigwhistle said...."Ears and eyes open....MOUTH SHUT!!!!"

Congratulations and HAVE FUN!

oatmealqueen

Originally posted by JRutledge

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
I worked a boys varsity game earlier this year where my wife came along, as she does for a few games every season. The harda$$ at the table told her that unless she was working the game with me that admission was $3.

I had never even suggested that she get in for free, BTW. This was preemptive nastiness.

I told the AD about it. He was embarrassed, but I never did see that $3.

LOL.

Rich

This just baffles me. I have never had this happen. Not at any tournament. As long as they come in with us, they get in free. And better yet, I have known officials that told the ticket takers that their family was coming later, and they let all of them in without charging them. This happen at my old HS where I did my first varsity game. One of my partners had is Mother, girlfriend, brother, his brother's wife, his Step-father and his neice. And my Mom was with me and not anyone paid.

I guess they just treat you all with a different level of respect.

Peace

At tournament time we get 1 pass as well for spouse/S.O. to attend if needed.
Tournament host really "hems and haws" if we try to bring guests. If we brought mom, grandmom, girlfriend, brother, step-father, niece, we would be in deep ------- I wish it were different!