Getting Warmed Up

[Rich]

Dynamic stretching:

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Mentally, you need to figure out how to be sharp from the opening tip. Challenge yourself mentally, have a good pregame, etc.

[Sharpshooternes]

My worst games are when I am rushed. I try to be to the site at least 45 minutes before game time. This gives me time to get changed do some jumping jacks, get warmed up and review my personal goal that I want to work on for the game. I also get ready for my pregame if I am the R. I try to have at least a 15 minute pregame but it is usually difficult to get people there early enough to gt that in. They usually show up 15 min. before we need to be on the floor and then take that time to get ready. If I am late or running a little behind, my whole game can be off and it takes a few unites to get into it.

It's all about routine. Pregame discussion, pregame snack, pregame stretch. Counting players on the court, talking with the coaches, talking with your partners. I do some self-talk to review PCA's and mechanics; go for a little run with 3 minutes left to get my legs working. Pop in the gum with 1 minute left.

Game time.

More self-talk: white is on defense, blue setting screens. Blue 12 set a marginal screen, watch him for next time. White 55 likes to bang in the post. Ball OOB off defense, point left. Ball off offense, point right.

The good news is you usually have a few possessions to get oriented before you have a whistle.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by AremRed

It's all about routine. Pregame discussion, pregame snack, pregame stretch. Counting players on the court, talking with the coaches, talking with your partners. I do some self-talk to review PCA's and mechanics; go for a little run with 3 minutes left to get my legs working. Pop in the gum with 1 minute left.

Game time.

More self-talk: white is on defense, blue setting screens. Blue 12 set a marginal screen, watch him for next time. White 55 likes to bang in the post. Ball OOB off defense, point left. Ball off offense, point right.

The good news is you usually have a few possessions to get oriented before you have a whistle.

I *expect* there will be a play on the opening tip. I've seen (at least three times in the last year) a long tap and a potential foul at the bucket. Have to be ready.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

I am a really relaxed official. I could probably take a nap five minutes prior to the game. However, I believe you need to be mentally ready to go. I use the 15 minutes on the floor prior to the game to get me prepared. I agree with Rich that you better be ready for issues on the jump ball.

I think some officials struggle early because they are too uptight. If that is the case, work on relaxing prior to the game.

I think officiating is like my golf swing--the more I think about it the worse it gets.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SE Minnestoa Re

I am a really relaxed official. I could probably take a nap five minutes prior to the game. However, I believe you need to be mentally ready to go. I use the 15 minutes on the floor prior to the game to get me prepared. I agree with Rich that you better be ready for issues on the jump ball.

I think some officials struggle early because they are too uptight. If that is the case, work on relaxing prior to the game.

I think officiating is like my golf swing--the more I think about it the worse it gets.

Agreed. It takes the *teams* a few minutes to settle in. Try to let the game breathe the first few minutes (I'm not saying to pass up on any fouls, but don't go looking to establish anything early with your whistle unless you have to) and things are usually fine.

[Rob1968]

I try to get to the site early, and I remind myself that the rest of the day is now gone, turned off. If I have the 1st game of the afternoon, I go through my pre-game info. If there's a game preceeding mine, I watch it just to get the mood of the surroundings.
My pre-game physical warm-up includes some taichi, which is excellent for the stretching and calming/focusing.
I also like to put a pleasant song in the background, in my mind. Some studies have shown that humans often focus better with background music, during mental exercises.