You call yourself a Referee, but You never played varsity hoop?

[Welpe]

"You call yourself a Referee, but You never played varsity hoop?"

No, I don't call myself a referee, I am a referee (or more technically, an official).

Having never really played competitive basketball, it was a higher learning curve in some aspects to learn the game. One nice thing is that I had few misconceptions about the rules and got to build the foundation from an official's perspective.

[SmokeEater]

If one has the opportunity to play competetive ball and then takes up officiating then I can see the point that Travelling Man is making.

IMO, all that playing experience does is reduces the amount of time or the steepness of the learning curve.

Anyone can become a very competent official given enough time.

[Texas Aggie]

I played more baseball than any other sport -- including a year at the juco level. The first time I got behind the plate to umpire, I hated it. I played HS varsity hoops but not varsity football (9th grade only). I work both sports and have done pretty well at them.

A kid for who basketball is not a priority but still plays on the JV team can make a capable official, just like a superstar hoops player may not be worth a darn in stripes or as a coach. The best coaches are often those players who had some talent but worked their butt off to achieve it and continued working hard at all levels.

There is a misconception that we miss calls because we don't understand the game. By "miss calls," they mean the call didn't go their way.

[Raymond]

The one aspect of playing basketball (organized and high-level pick-up) that has helped me personally is that I am keenly aware of flash points and potential bad behavior. It is something that has been intuitive since my first days of officiating, not something I had to learn.

Of course I am only speaking for myself and my experiences.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

It is something that has been intuitive since my first days of officiating, not something I had to learn.

The nuances of game management is where experience can help quite a bit...though I found my experience officiating other sports translated very well to basketball in this case.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I found my experience officiating other sports translated very well to basketball.

I've heard from colleagues that the opposite can also be true, especially those who picked up volleyball (a real money making racket, according to them, especially those guys who are available in the late afternoon, toughest part is climbing the ladder), soccer, and lacrosse. We have a college lacrosse guy on our local basketball board, an outstanding basketball official, who has also achieved success working Division I college lacrosse, without ever having played lacrosse. Many of my basketball colleagues have started officiating high school volleyball, and have seen success, officiating state tournament games, without ever having played interscholastic volleyball, maybe just some volleyball in a middle school, or a high school, physical education class, many years, many pounds, and many hairs, ago.

[mutantducky]

just want to add a quick two cents even though this topic been talked about enough


I went to this early training ref session and there were a few really good basketball players trying to be refs. Two of the three were just awful. One was good. A few other people who hardly played ball at all were great. If you've played higher level basketball it helps but it can be a hindrance as well. But what it comes down to is being able to control the game, knowing the rules and when and when to or not call fouls and so far I've seen NOTHING that points to the conclusion that experienced basketball players make better referees.
I still play a lot of ball but I've met too many good basketball players who think they can ref just because they know how to play. They tend to let too many calls go- "let them play attitude"
The inexperienced players trying to be refs may have bad game management, calling minor falls that they should let go. The lack of playing there may hurt them. For anyone out there thinking about being a basketball ref, don't think you had to be a player to be a good ref. Under what makes a good ref, put "basketball player" way down on your list.

[amusedofficial]

Well this is interesting and all but look at it bottom up.

I was told I was a lousy player.

I was also told I was a lousy official.

By the same coach.

The difference: When he called me a lousy official, his opponent got two and the ball.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

I was told I was a lousy player.

I was also told I was a lousy official.

By the same coach.

At least he's consistent when evaluating your talents. (sarc)

[bigcityballer]

From a coach's perspective - everyone has to know their role. Players play, coaches coach, and officials officiate. But everyone needs a little help every now again so that's why as coaches we think we can do everyone's job better.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by bigcityballer

From a coach's perspective - everyone has to know their role. Players play, coaches coach, and officials officiate. But everyone needs a little help every now again so that's why as coaches we think we can do everyone's job better.

And sometimes we as officials just need to help you find where your seat is.

Welcome to the forum, even though you've been here for a while judging by the join date.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bigcityballer

Players play, coaches coach, officials officiate ...

... and fans fan.

[Rob1968]

So many good responses, so little time to add mine . . .
Three years ago, while conducting a training meeting for 140+ HS officials, all levels, I asked for a show of hands of those of us who had played at least JrH, HS, or College basketball - 7 - less than 5%. Every one of those present are better officials than are the fans. Every one was there to improve. And, most of them would be considered good to excellent officials on the floor!

Yes, when I work with a newer official, I can readily tell whether he/she has a player's comprehension of the game. Some of his/her perceptions may be an advantage, some are not. And then I have to approach their training differently - trying to remove the misconceptions of a player, rather than those of a fan, coach, parent, etc.

All officials have the same goal - to be a great official. And we each have our limitations. And every official deserves respect, especially from his/her peers.

[Smitty]

I get the feeling the OP just wanted everyone to know she played Varsity and college basketball to establish some aspect of credibility here. Based on her posts so far, if that was her goal, I think she failed.

[Travelling Man]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I get the feeling the OP just wanted everyone to know she played Varsity and college basketball to establish some aspect of credibility here. Based on her posts so far, if that was her goal, I think she failed.

*That is exactly what I woud have expected you to presume; and I must say that I'm a bit disappointed that you have actually confirmed it. No one who writes on this web forum is in need of "credibility" affirmations---I mean for all we know you could be just a kid hiding behind a computer screen spouting off about hoop officiating?

The purpose of my post was to ascertain the utility of real life competitive playing experience in regards to how this prepares one to be a good hoop official. And, as evidenced by the variation in replies it is apparant that such playing experience tends to help in the earlier phases of the profession but levels off as more technical and practical experience is obtained.