How do I become bigger?

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by johnny d

I doubt the only difference or even one of the deciding factors that allowed him to move up while you didn't is that he is taller than you. You should ask the people who assign your games what specific areas you need to work on to move to the next level rather than make your own determination and settle on a factor that is going to be low on any assignors list or requirements. Just be ready to hear the truth when they tell you, sometimes it is hard to hear what others have to say.

Agree, but I think this is big. I asked specifically to some one on the board about this person and they said, and I quote, "you know why, because he is tall." I am a 600 official if I am not mistaken and this person is at least a 300 now. I have asked them and had an evaluator at my first game which went well. The problem is the feedback has kind of dried up. Anyway the point of the thread is how to be bigger on the court.

[Andy]

Having "the look" is important. Maybe not so much as it was 10 or so years ago, but it still gets you noticed.

That being said, there is not anything you can do about your height, so you need to compensate in other ways. egj mentioned some good things...look and run athletically, stand confidently during time outs and dead ball periods. Some other things you may want to try are using your voice more, in a more authoritative and confident tone, make sure your signals are sharp and crisp. Anything that requires you to make a signal with your hands above your head, stretch it out as high as you are comfortable with.

It's all about creating a "presence" on the court...taller people do it more naturally and don't have to work as hard at it due to their size.

Ultimately, it should come down to how you do the job on the court, but it is a fact that some officials will get opportunities because of their size, gender, race, etc. Nothing you can do about it but work to become the best official you can be.

[Raymond]

I'm 6'5". It helps, and I have been moderately successful in meeting my career goals. But I have seen plenty of shorter officials move up the ladder faster than me.

My physical appearance probably gives me an edge if all other things are equal, but really, how often are all things equal?

More important than height, is a an athletic build. When I dropped a bunch of weight 5 years ago I all of a sudden catapulted from a HS/occasional JuCo ref to a multi-conference college official.

Along with an athletic look, you need to have good posture on the court. Your movements have to be brisk and purposeful. It is something you have to consciously be aware of. You have to see yourself on video in order to improve this aspect of your officiating. I did a D3 game 2 weekends ago and I felt sluggish the whole game. I saw the game on video and I looked even worse than I felt. My movements were lazy, I was slouching, there was no pep in my step. I was disgusted with what I saw. My play-calling and table presentation were very good in that game, but that was all wiped out, IMO, by my failure to present a big/athletic presence.

[Hartsy]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

More important than height, is a an athletic build. When I dropped a bunch of weight 5 years ago I all of a sudden catapulted from a HS/occasional JuCo ref to a multi-conference college official.

I second this. 5 yrs into officiating I dropped from 260lbs to 200lbs between basketball seasons. My ratings went up fairly dramatically th efirst yr after the weight loss. I find it hard to believe it was because I called a game that much differently from one season to next. Like mentioned, I looked fit, had a little more zip in me, no weariness, and it had to translate to a better court presence. In my mind, court presence is what can make you look "bigger".

[egj13]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

More important than height, is a an athletic build. When I dropped a bunch of weight 5 years ago I all of a sudden catapulted from a HS/occasional JuCo ref to a multi-conference college official.

Same here...our director in my last state was VERY clear on the fact that if you wanted to work post-season and similar types of games you had to look the part. "if the players condition for the game, the officials should do the same." We didn't have a single official in the post-season that didn't look the part.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Sharpshooternes

Agree, but I think this is big. I asked specifically to some one on the board about this person and they said, and I quote, "you know why, because he is tall." I am a 600 official if I am not mistaken and this person is at least a 300 now. I have asked them and had an evaluator at my first game which went well. The problem is the feedback has kind of dried up. Anyway the point of the thread is how to be bigger on the court.

Have someone tape your game and get me a copy man. I really want to see how I can help a local official.