New Offical

[DRJ1960]

Wouldn't be shocked if I'm alone on this.

I find that when I am "overanalyzing" myself during a game, I am uncomfortable. When I simply call the game in front of me and critique myself later, I am both a better official and much more comfortable.

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by seohio

I will do that.....thanks

Me too. Good idea.

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by Rob1968

My wife long ago gave up with asking, "Who's playing?" when I'm watching a ballgame. She knows I'm studying the officials:
What did he/she call, from where?
What was the game situation?
How did he/she communicate - with the players, partners, table crew, coaches (when needed)?
What did they not call? (with the same qualifiers as on the calls they made)
College games, for me, are most instructive, with understanding of the different rules sets fro HS.

I am still in the "why are you watching a ball game?" phase. "Shouldn't you be mowing the lawn?" "Take the garbage out." "Change this diaper" Dangit woman!!

[Tio]

Originally Posted by seohio

I am new this year doing Jr. High and Freshman, JV.
Does anyone have any advice?
I have done 3 scrimmages and still not real comfortable.

Work as many games as you are able. Try to connect with a local association or find a few fellow officials who could help you out.

[Moosie74]

As a rookie last year myself these are some of the things that got me through last year and are part of my goals for this season.

1) Slow down, yes people are waiting for your decision but it's not nearly as long as it feels

2) Give a strong whistle and a signal on a foul, get the arm up but at least givea whistle that sounds like you know you have a call

3) Make a strong decision. Even if you're wrong, be strong on it. The moment you rule an out of bounds call on a close play with blue? You appear to be deciding the call and it sounds like, maybe it's blue, maybe it's white's ball, I really don't know.

If you whistle and firmly announce the team getting the ball you'll get a lot less grumbling.

4) Get in position or at least get in the area where you could make the call

5) My mentor told me this "Call the game but don't call every little thing. Just because you've studied to be able to rule on all the fouls in the book, doesn't mean you have to call every one of them each time out".

Another thing I did last year was make a journal with the top 3 things I did well each game and the 3 things I missed or did wrong. Looking back over it, I fixed the little things and it becomes a better experience.

After my first games last partner evaluation included that I had a lot of work to do but he could tell I wanted it. From a partner later in the year I got, has some work to do but many bright spots in his game, needs to polish a few things and will get better. So keep at it!

My last pieces of advise, smile and have fun

[stir22]

Originally Posted by seohio

I also practice mechanis and view several games both in person and on you tube....I do have trouble with taking my time on the court and alot of the time I get the direction messed up when signaling out of bounds.

This sounds familiar. Sounds like me a few years ago! Until you get it down, just go with the color. Shout "blue", and there will be no doubt. In my fifth year, I still do this, albeit a lot less than i use to.

Good luck! Have fun! And welcome. If you work hard you'll be amazed at how fast you improve.

[seohio]

Thanks everyone for your replys....sounds like there is alot of experience here...a great place to visit and Im sure I will have lots of questions as we go on.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by seohio

....college officals are pretty cool to watch but their signaling sucks..... .

A lot of great advice here seohio...sounds like you really want to be a good official.

Here is my advice...

You want to move up the officiating ladder? Don't tell a veteran official he/she "SUCKS" (or even have that attitude)...especially when you have ONLY done 3 games in your life.

Just do a lot of listening your first year.

[KJUmp]

JRut mentioned in his reply..."work as much as you can."
Working any level of game will help you get better. Try to get some youth rec league games in your local area. The speed of the game is generally slower (especially with the younger age groups) and provides a great opportunity to work on things like:

1) Getting OB calls correct relative to team color and direction.
2) Reporting fouls
3) FT and throw-in procedures and mechanics
4) Your whistle, your signals, your voice and your overall court presence.
5) The discipline of focusing on your primary calling area and not being a "ball watcher."
6) Anything that a partner, observer, or evaluator pointed out to you in one of your Frosh/JV games.

Even if you just work on one of these things in each rec game you'll begin to see the difference in your officiating when you work a higher level game.

Good luck...sounds like you're getting off on the right foot.