Video of yours truly officiating

[MechanicGuy]

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

[HokiePaul]

a little thing, but try not to carry your whistle around in your hand when you are moving to report a foul or go to a spot on the floor (either put it in your mouth or let it hang on the lanyard). It helps you walk more with a purpose and look more credible if both your hands are free.

This was something a clinician pointed out to me last summer that I didn't even realize I was doing -- it was a hard habit to break.

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

a little thing, but try not to carry your whistle around in your hand when you are moving to report a foul or go to a spot on the floor (either put it in your mouth or let it hang on the lanyard). It helps you walk more with a purpose and look more credible if both your hands are free.

This was something a clinician pointed out to me last summer that I didn't even realize I was doing -- it was a hard habit to break.

I've heard the same thing, someone told me it looked like I was hanging on to my blankie.

[ballgame99]

The best tip I was ever given regarding my foul call sequence was to practice the 3 bangs; 1 bang is the fist in the air with a whistle, 2nd bang is preliminary signal, third bang is either pointing to the OOB spot, or signal two shots. These three bangs should be performed with your feet firmly planted and not while walking. This gives you time to gather the info you need like number of the fouler and ensuring you have the correct shooter. This also forces you to SLOW DOWN!

I have also had to remind my self not to pace, so I second that opinion as well. 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!

[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!

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

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.

Pretty sure he was throwing up the deuces indicating two shots.

[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.

[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.

[kstiles99]

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy

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

I knew I'd here it from someone