A true Newbie development

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

He never played a sport but loves basketball, wants to officiate a sport and basketball fits into his schedule best.

I found this part (above) of the post to be very interesting. Not only did the guy not play basketball, he never played any sports. In my opinion, this will make the learning curve a lot steeper than if he had played any sport, and even steeper because he hadn't played basketball. I know that good players do not necessarily make good officials, and I also know that it's possible for a non-player to become a good official. I know volleyball, and lacrosse, officials who never played the game, and who have gone on to become good officials in those sports, making it all the way to the state tournament level.

No previous experience playing sports. No previous experience playing basketball. No previous experience officiating any other sport. This guy is more than just a newbie, he's an infant newbie, and he'll need a lot of help, classes, clinics, camps, mentoring, etc., and have to work really hard, harder than other newbies with more experience, to became a good basketball official. He can do it, but it will be a tough row to hoe.

Also, my opinion: Get certified, work a year of subvarsity basketball, recreation games, etc., get a mentor, take advantage of any education that his association offers, learn the rulebook, casebook, and mechanics manual, like the back of his hand, and then go to a camp after that first season.

[BatteryPowered]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I found this part (above) of the post to be very interesting. Not only did the guy not play basketball, he never played any sports. In my opinion, this will make the learning curve a lot steeper than if he had played any sport, and even steeper because he hadn't played basketball. I know that good players do not necessarily make good officials, and I also know that it's possible for a non-player to become a good official. I know volleyball, and lacrosse, officials who never played the game, and who have gone on to become good officials in those sports, making it all the way to the state tournament level.

No previous experience playing sports. No previous experience playing basketball. No previous experience officiating any other sport. This guy is more than just a newbie, he's an infant newbie, and he'll need a lot of help, classes, clinics, camps, mentoring, etc., and have to work really hard, harder than other newbies with more experience, to became a good basketball official. He can do it, but it will be a tough row to hoe.

Also, my opinion: Get certified, work a year of subvarsity basketball, recreation games, etc., get a mentor, take advantage of any education that his association offers, learn the rulebook, casebook, and mechanics manual, like the back of his hand, and then go to a camp after that first season.

Well there are no "certified" officials in this state. I was almost in the same boat as him...I only played Little League baseball. Learning the rulebook, casebook and mechanics was not that difficult. What I had to work on the most was knowing how to move on the floor given the position of the defenders and place on the floor so I wasn't constantly out of position or straight-lined at critical times.

Someone who played the game would certianly have an advantage in that area.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

Well there are no "certified" officials in this state.

Do basketball officials in your area belong to any organizations, associations, boards, etc., or can anyone just put on a Footlocker jersey, strap on a shiny metal whistle, buckle on a black belt, and officiate a high school basketball game?