New to officiating and a little overwhelmed
 

Quick question for all.. I am a little over half way through basketball officiating classes. I will take the test in 14 days.

I have played basketball all through school and college. I thought I knew the game of basketball pretty well, I was wrong. I have learned so much and feel I have so much more to learn and try to read everything I can get my hands on. I find this can be a little overwhelming.

Did you all find it a bit overwhelming when you started officiating?


Thanks for this forum. I have learned so much.. Thank you!

Kevin

Rules Rule ...
 

Join the crowd. Those who have watched, played, or coached, basketball may think that learning the "real" rules will be a "breeze", but it just isn't so. Keep at it. Learning the rules, that is, really learning the rules well, backward, and forward, will not be a waste of time. It will form a good foundation for the next steps, mechanics, game management, etc. Also, the casebook is just as important as the rulebook. Read it, and read it again, and again.

First and foremost, welcome to the Forum.

I don't know that "overwhelmed" would be the right term, but similar to you, I did find out just how much I didn't know right away!

Continue to watch, read, learn, ask questions, practice and hopefully find a Senior Official who can help mentor you if you desire. You'll be just fine.

Hopefully, your association will bring you along slowly and you will be able to develop at a nice pace.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Watch Your Step ...
 

Or, as some may say, welcome to the jungle.

Axle will be happy to hear you say that!

[insert picture here] ;)

Return Of The Native ...
 

Speaking of which, isn't about time for Jurassic Referee to end his sabbatical?

Probably 99.9% of those who have played and/or coached the game think they can just step in and become an official. Think of it this way - just because you've flown on a plane numerous times doesn't mean you're qualified to be a pilot. Keep taking classes, reading the appropriate books, watch the videos and, most of all, don't hesitate to ask for help from fellow officials.

Welcome!

I wouldn't say overwhelmed. I would say it took longer than I thought to just be competent, much less good.

Some advice I received here that may help:
1. Be in the right place, look in the right place, call the obvious.
2. Practice your signals. Crisp signaling gives you confidence and helps with communication.
3. Work as many games as you can, trying to work on 1 thing (getting angles, strong whistle, patient whistle) at a time.
4. Realize you will make mistakes, no one has ever called a perfect game.
5. Study the rule book, case book and officials manual.
6. Read this forum. VERY helpful to a newbie like myself.

Welcome! As many have said, and will say, practice what you can control. That is, rules knowledge, signals, positioning.

It will take some time to get used to not watching the ball 100% of the time, and your reactions will be slow at first, but it WILL get better as the season goes on.

Welcome. I would look very closely at the Fundamentals page of the rule book. Those 20 fundamentals will help you with just about anything. The chart on the opposite page: Technical Foul penalty summary is also helpful. Don't worry about feeling overwhelmed. Learn it a little bit at a time. Ask for advice from veteran officials. Ask to sit in on their pre-games and half-times. Watch their advice be put into practice in their games. Don't be a Yabut. And have fun.

The statement above is probably the most common statement I hear with newer officials.


Yes many of us did. But the only way to get over that is to work games and see plays and situations. A lot of stuff takes years to grasp or to fully understand and that includes many rules. Most of what we do or call is basic. It is the unusual or the complicated that gets us in trouble, even veterans. Just keep working games and that will go away sooner than later. Also do not try to move up too fast, work what you can handle. The rest should take care of itself.

Peace

Thanks for all the great info and support.

Great to Have You Aboard!
 

Keep up with this forum on a daily basis. When a rule, a situation, or a mechanic is mentioned, take the time to locate it in your rulebook, casebook, and officials' manual and make notes and highlights on them in your books. That will help you come to "own" it even before it happens in a game for you.

On off nights, go and watch good crews. Your assignor might be helpful regarding what crews to go and watch.

And always listen to Bob.

Aren't you forgetting something?

I believe he's referring to the "first rule of officiating". I didn't want to post it because I'm fearful of the graphic BillyMac might come up with. ;)

Maybe a pre-calculator reference.....:eek:

Resin 113,

I felt the same way my first year. I wanted to master the rules right away but came to the realisation that it takes years. Focus on the fundamentals; enought to pass the test and go from there. I'm starting my 12th season and every year I go through the rulebook and cases to refresh the rules and I continue to learn.

I was also overwhelmed in my first few games. Just remembering the direction of the teams was difficult. But what I also realised very early is that I loved being on the floor officiating basketball. And that has not changed. All the best.

Can't Wait For Kill Bill III ...
 

"You have learned well, Grasshopper."

That's fantastic, Mark. I must remember that one.

To all rooks, everything people have said here is to be heeded. Hopefully, these will help you, too:

Conditioning is vital. People will judge you on your appearance and running ability. If they need work, get to work.

There will be many partners who will say "good job" without giving constructive feedback. Unless you get in with a solid mentor, don't expect people to simply tell you what you need to know to advance. There are some things you will need to figure out for youself.

Get someone to video one of your games. It may not be easy to watch, but those visuals are irreplaceable. When you're on the court, you can't see yourself. Only the camera can tell you what others see.