Video of yours truly officiating

[kstiles99]

Originally Posted by jpgc99

I think there are two things - that at first seem contradictory - that contribute to this "awkwardness" (your word, not mine).

First of all, I think you are way to stiff. Probably doesn't help that you know you are being filmed, and presumably evaluated. However, your posture needs to look more relaxed. It almost looks like you are trying not to bend your knees when you are running, and your movements look very robotic.

Second, you need to stand up straight, limit your movement, and hustle more.

These probably all sound contradictory, and I would guess that some of your current posture is from getting told by one person to "stand up straight" and someone else to "relax." I've had both of those things said to me, and it took me years to figure out that these were contradicting statements.

Try to incorporate this into your movements:

- Stand up straight when you are not running. Shoulder back, chest out. Chin up. Move your head and your eyes to see; you don't need to "pace" band and forth. Only move when you need to get a better angle.
- When you have a visible count, make it crisp. Keep your arm parallel to the ground.
- When you are running to a new position on the floor, RUN. Bend your knees, bend your arms, and pick up your feet. Run to the new position and STOP. Then stand like you practiced in point one above.

If you run to the proper spot on the floor, you should be in a good position to officiate the play. Hustle more on the front side of the play, and limit your movement once you are there.

I've been watching the NBA officials more closely this year and am impressed by how well they do this. Watch them and copy their movement.

Thank you so much! I've been trying to fix this for a while.. This really helps!

[kstiles99]

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy

Nice Jim from 'The Office' moment at 5:14 tho

I knew I'd here it from someone

[kstiles99]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

First and foremost, you're to be commended for putting yourself out there on here This is a tough crowd...

These are all from the first foul call sequence:

1. Stop ball-watching (we all do it sometimes).

2. When you went up with the foul call you had a fist. For some reason right before you started heading to report it changed to an open hand which made it seem as though you changed your mind about the foul.

3. I know you saw the three players in black come in as you were about to report since you said something to them...yet you continued reporting. When they don't stop, tell them again. Apart from being a T, letting players come in without being beckoned is a good way to end up with more than five on the court for one team.

Other stuff:

*When play went to the other end the first time, at the 1:09 mark you closed in quickly to the lane line as the player in black drove down the middle. Think about staying wider in those situations. You'll see more of the play.

*You closed down (moved closer to the lane) while a shot was in the air at 2:15. Same thing as the previous comment.

*During the possession that ended with the travel at 3:45 you seemed pretty locked in to one spot on the floor as the T. Don't be afraid to move, just make sure you're moving to improve. You can also get a few steps closer to the end line. Officiate what's in front of you not what you're afraid might happen if the play goes the other direction. They're young. We're not (though you're probably WAY younger than me . They're going to beat us sometimes.

*On the foul call at 3:56 ask yourself something: Did White #6 push the defender or did she hit her? I ask because you gave the push signal when reporting and as an assignor of mine once said that's our bailout signal when we know something illegal took place but we aren't sure what it was It was a foul, no doubt. Just make sure you signal what they actually did.

Keep working hard!

Yes I'm actually 16.. I think im the youngest official in Oklahoma. But anyways.. Thank you so much for the tips. I sincerely appreciate all the help and will apply these in my games coming up.

[deecee]

Most of what I would say has already been said. It's obvious that you are new and just need some experience. With that, and a bit of confidence, you will naturally loosen up. You can try working on not looking stiff but thats the product of lack of experience and confidence.

Work on getting the calls right and if/when asked backing them up with the right why. Everything else will fall into place once that happens.

[justacoach]

I won't speak to your on court performance because you have been provided ample advice.
I want to remind you there are aspects of improving your officiating skills that do not require an actual game.
Near the top of the list is use this forum for the valuable resource it provides. The offseason is a good time for looking at the historical archives contained here.
You can immerse yourself in the rules and case book at any time. Find or ask about digital versions that can be run from your smartphone.
Become fully proficient about the rules and your projected confidence level will be greatly enhanced. Having great court presence, backed by solid rules knowledge, will overcome any perceived concerns as to your age.
Practice the proper mechanics often and in front of a mirror when possible. Sharp presentation of signals goes a long way toward making a good impression.
Find a mentor who you respect. Have them critique your games and guide you through the political situation of your local area.
Watch as much quality officiating as you can. The 2 minute summaries at official.nba.com give a wealth of info about controversial plays, videos and explanations that will show you an advanced view beyond what you will get from your HS centric peers. Many things will be at a variance with NFHS rules and philosophies but still worthwhile for the analysis of calls.

Hope this helps

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by jpgc99

If you run to the proper spot on the floor, you should be in a good position to officiate the play. Hustle more on the front side of the play, and limit your movement once you are there.

I've been watching the NBA officials more closely this year and am impressed by how well they do this. Watch them and copy their movement.

Originally Posted by ballgame99

Get to your spot and set up. If you need to move to improve your angle, do so in short quick bursts, and don't peek around the corner!

+1 on both comments. Goes back to the discussion a few weeks ago about ball lines and opening low/high. The bottom line is that in this day in age, with players as mobile and athletic as they are, I believe we're seeing a paradigm shift about "getting angles." Before we needed to move a lot to get them. These days, the angles come to you, so you're better off being static, and possible making a subtle step here or there, but that's it. Now, granted, in a two-person game, you have more to cover, so you may need to move a little more, especially as lead.

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy

Get the number of the fouling player before taking off. I've always thought looking back at the play looks bad.

Great point. When you have to look back, it's a tell. The same way checking your hole cards a second time is a tell in a game of Texas Hold'em.

[Kansas Ref]

I commend you for posting that vid of you reffing a game and availing yourself to the critique of this esteemed forum.

My advice is basically in two notes: so take it for what it's worth in applying to your officiating practice ok.

1. "The Look-Back and Lean": be a little more patient in identifying whom you are calling the foul on--wait until the traffic clears so you can see the actual player number before taking off to go tableside for your report--in some leagues the player jersey only has a number on the front or back and not both sides--so just have to wait until you can i.d. the player # before taking off. I used to do this myself (i.e., the lean back look while you are walking tableside).

2. Strive for "confident stature" when observing the play and try to bend at the knees when you are walking/trotting/running. I realize that when reffing one often has to instantaneously cover short distances and long distances--and you cannot predict where you have to be--so just bend you knees when running instead of the "half-walk" gait.

3. On behalf of all coaches, players, and fans of the hoop game, I sincerely thank you for choosing to be an official and commitment to improve your performance.