Brand New Official

[TravisFL]

Thankyou all for your comments and words of wisdom. I have 8 hours of training with my association and the state field clinic before the season starts. Fortunately my association has a mentor program and several experienced officials that are willing to assist us newcomers. And thankyou for offering up websites that contain training material, I will be sure to review them.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by TravisFL

Mentor program.

The key to success for a new official.

[amusedofficial]

My worst first-year mistake came when I called my first T. I crisply whacked the coach, crisply went to the table, crisply reported it, and crisply walked to the wrong end of the court to administer the free throws. How could this be worse? I T'd the coach for calling me a clown.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

I crisply whacked the coach, crisply went to the table, crisply reported it, and crisply walked to the wrong end of the court to administer the free throws.

Where was your partner while you were clowning around? He's the one who should have got you pointed in the right direction.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by TravisFL

Thankyou all for your comments and words of wisdom. I have 8 hours of training with my association and the state field clinic before the season starts. Fortunately my association has a mentor program and several experienced officials that are willing to assist us newcomers. And thankyou for offering up websites that contain training material, I will be sure to review them.

First of all, welcome to the forum. And welcome to the ride. There will be days you ask yourself why you're doing it. I had a 30+ year football partner asking that question on our way to a game last night (following his game last Friday night).

1. Work with your mentor as much as possible. That means going to his/her games and watching. Sit in on the pregame, the half-time, and the post game. Watch his positioning. Watch his area (what he's watching). Ask him questions about his calls and no-calls when you get a chance. Take notes during the game and during your Q&A.

2. Your first season, try to get some video of one of your games. Ask your girlfriend/brother/sister/cousin to film at least a quarter (depending on how much memory your video has). You don't need to review for calls so much as for your positioning, your presence, and your mechanics.

[26 Year Gap]

There is also a free clinic put on every spring at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers. Featuring JB Caldwell. There are some NBA guys who show up as well. Find out who assigns tournaments in the spring. Stick around for varsity games. Ask for advice and then watch it employed. Be willing to learn and willing to listen.

BadZebra is spot on (maybe he is also BadLeopard) with his observations.