Teaching new church league refs

[Terrapins Fan]

I have some Ideas from Billy Mac from the last couple of years, but if you were teaching a class what you would focus on?

I have 2 hours total. 1 hour in class, 1 hour on the floor.

The students are all HS players so they have basic ideas.

The players they will ref are from 1st grade to 8th grade.

Thanks in advance.

[tjones1]

I would be careful in assuming they have basic ideas. They probably have a lot of myths mixed in their basic thoughts.

I would focus on Rule 4 in the classroom.

On the floor, basic coverage areas and allow several minutes for questions.

[BillyMac]

1) Lead, and trail, primary coverage areas, and boundary responsibilities.

2) Keep the whistle in your mouth at all times (except for the jump ball).

3) Give strong signals. Report fouls slowly.

4) Review "Misunderstood Rules" in classroom.

[grunewar]

Terrapin - Send me a PM (if you like) with your email address. I have some stuff I can send you that I use when teaching my young officials.

[JugglingReferee]

If the players are very much learning, I'd tell them to ignore the small infractions, such as a small travel or something that looks like a double dribble. But, when they do decide that something needs to be called, to call it and to stand by it.

Definitely go over the PCAs - get them trained on that from the start.

But don't mention things that will never happen, like above the rim play. 3-pointers - meh. Might not even have a line in the church gym.

Also stress they can slow down when reporting fouls. There's no rush.

Cover transition and helping if there's a press.

Those are my suggestions, for starters.

[Adam]

I would pare Billy's myth list down to the most commonly missed rules.

Traveling rule on a throw in.
Team control on a throw in.
Back court (and when three points actually applies.)

Spend some time showing what these plays look like.
Spend some time on positioning.

[JugglingReferee]

I would consider choosing a few of the HS kids that you suspect know the game better than some of the others, and then teach these kids a few simple elements. Then have them teach the group as a whole. You can see how the HS kids interpret what you taught them by how they're informing the others.

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

I would consider choosing a few of the HS kids that you suspect know the game better than some of the others, and then teach these kids a few simple elements. Then have them teach the group as a whole. You can see how the HS kids interpret what you taught them by how they're informing the others.

Great idea if we had time. Because of the snow, we are way behind schedule.

Games start Saturday. We have 1 day to do classes. In the past we have had 3 days of classes. But I feel confident we will be OK.

[Adam]

I would try to be there the first few games, at least the first single game for each official, to provide some instant feedback. And make sure the coaches are behaving.

[rsl]

I have done this a couple of times. My agenda is below. First and foremost I try to get them to be comfortable blowing the whistle. In fact, I make them blow their whistle instead of raise their hand to ask a question. Then, I try to give accurate descriptions of each foul and violation they may actually have to call in the first few games. If you teach a group of thirty and end up up with 1 or 2 good recruits, call it a success.

Good luck!

Best quick advice
• Blow your whistle
• Raise your arm (either hand or fist)

Basics
• Coverage areas, angles, off-ball

Mechanics
• Throw-in administration, jump administration, free throw administration

Violations
• Travel, Double dribble, carry, out of bounds, back court, 3 seconds, backcourt, kick

Fouls
• What is a foul?
Displacement, RBSQ, Advantage/Disadvantage
• Types of fouls (demonstrate each one)
Hold, Push, Illegal use of hands, Player control, Trip

[Camron Rust]

Probably the most important point...

Teach them what defenders can legally do (i.e., verticality and moving to maintain LGP) and tell them to referee the defense. If the defense did nothing wrong, then they didn't foul. If there is enough contact for a foul and the defender didn't foul, then it is an offensive foul.

If they can do that, they'll get most of the fouls correct. Leave the advanced concepts (such as Advantage/Disadvantage, etc.) for when they get more comfortable. It is enough at first just to see a basic foul and know what to do.

Mechanically, just get them to box in the players and move to get a view through the play along with basic coverage areas.

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by Adam

I would try to be there the first few games, at least the first single game for each official, to provide some instant feedback. And make sure the coaches are behaving.

I do try to attend as many of the games as I can. I usually ref 2 games ( we have 11 games on Saturdays ) We use certified officials for the HS games and some MS games. I try to stay for about 3 more. My son is 15 this will be his 2nd year of reffing. He is very good from all the stories I have brought home since he was 4 years old.

Over all our coaches are good. It really is a Church based league.