Hello everyone.
I am a 16 year old teenager in Kansas. I am wondering what the rest of you officials out there think of me officiating ADULT Recreation League. I did it once last year, but I was out of shape. I am in shape now thanks to wearing my bullet proof vest for about 16 hours at a time. Anyways, I need the money, but is it worth getting yelled at by people up to 3x my age?
I gave out 3 t's last year IN THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON, for cussing, dissent, ect. I loved it, but after that I was shakey. (Can anyone say adrenalin rush?)
Please let me know what you people think.
ALso, about the vest stuff. I am a Sheriff Cadet in Sedgwick County Kansas.

Dust,

I think that someone putting you in that situation is not looking out for you as an official. Are there not games in your area played my 5th-8th grades? I think that would be a more appropriate place for you to hone your skills and get the much needed experience to move upward and onward.

Good Luck in whatever you do!

I agree with Ron. Unless you routinely bench press
your body weight & squat 2X your body weight stick
to the younger set. Come to think of it, even if you do
move this weight you should stick wih the younger set!
Give it a couple of years & then move up when you've gained
some experience (you obviously already have the confidence!). Good luck!

Duster, I'm just down the street in Wichita. Working Rec leagues will give you great experience. Don't get discouraged. I've known other guys age 16 who worked rec leagues in this area. They did fine and are good officials. I think it is important you find a mentor and go to camps and clinics. I can help you in this area. Feel free to email me.

If you love it keep doing it. Don't let a bunch of frustrated atheletes deter you from having fun, or making some extra money. Besides, why would being out of shape makea difference? I don't know anyone who can outrun a sherriff's bullett!!!! Maybe you can have some of the big boys come watch you work dressed in full uniform. I'm guessing the jackasses on the floor will change their attitudes then. Have fun - Suppref

I first started officiating BBall when i was about your age.
The keys that i have for you are as follows

1. Never ever say No to a game assignement. You might not think that you should be doing certain games but what ever happens never say no to your assignor.

2. I'm still only 27 and the harderst thing to do is gain the RESPECT of the players. If your able to do that, you won't have any trouble in your games. i ref an over 35 senior mens league and it ususally takes about 3-5 yrs of doing their games until they respect you enough not to question your integrity.

3. Lastly and most importantly, as a young official it is your responsibility to ask for help, not just with the rules but with game in general. Finding an individual or an educator who is willing to spend hundreds of hours discussing problems and situations with you is a key, some people say to only have one mentor, however i say have 2-3 this way you can gain different perspectives.

Above all else, have fun and keep smiling. If you treat players as an equal, they will be more inclined to do the same.

Keep smiling
SH

Respect?
 

I really hope that you are not looking for respect by a bunch of wannabes. Who cares what they think, they think that "over the back" is an actual foul.

Re: Respect?
 

I think you are getting apples and oranges mixed up. You should not respect every single official just because they have been doing this for years. Guys and gals that have been officiating for years are not always good officials. It is the things that they do on the court and the approach which for me is what is most important. And I am really not trying to gain the respect of a couple of guys that got together and decided to play basketball after their organized play is over. They do not know what they are talking about. They are the individuals that are in the stands that say stupid stuff like, "moving screen" or "call it both ways ref." Why would I care what individuals think that do not know what I am doing or not doing on the court. Before I was an official I did not understand many things about why officials called what do or what rules were accurate that I had been thinking were rules for years.

What I am trying to say is that, I am not going to hold my self evaluation up and judge myself on people that have no understanding of what officiating is or what the rules are. I would rather find respect in my actual peers and even then, I do not care what those that are not on the level that I want to be or am myself. In other words, I do not care what a lawyer thinks about me as a doctor, that is all.

I started official elementry ball at the age of 13. At the age of 17, i became a full-fledged member of our association and in the past year and a half i've done close to 100 games. This year I've moved into the VARSITY category. I Also officiated the Ontario Summer games this past summer, and was the umpire in the men's bronze medal game. All i'm saying is that age has nothing to do with ability.


Tyler