IAABO ref schools
 

Are there any advantages to these camps?

How is the ball? The reviews I've heard have been between mixed to negative. They say only NHFS rules and mechanics will be used? Do they mean true NFHS rules and mechanics, or the bastardized ones they publish in their handbook?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

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"Thanks for being a fan of IAABO basketball."
-- Tom Lopes"
:D

IAABO Alum
 

I went to two within the first couple years I was officiating. I wouldn't recommend them to people that have been officiating for more than 3 or 4 years. In my experience, some boards and states use them as their training grounds and you could get stuck with partners that take most of the attention of the staff because they are very inexperienced. The on-the-court play was not very good at my camps and the camp director wouldn't do anything to penalize unsporting behavior.

The classroom stuff was great and if you end up with a partner that is beyond the basics, the feedback was good.

If you have been officiating 5 years or more (and are moving up), or are doing higher level JV or any Varsity games, the camp may be too basic for you.

There are no "rule" differences between the two. IAABO uses NFHS rules, period. (Interpretations are perhaps a bit iffy on that, though.)

Mechanics are pretty damned close, so I'm not sure what you're talking about with "bastardized."

Been an IAABO member for a very long time....I have mixed emotions about IAABO. However the previous post is 100% correct. Many boards use this camp as the first camp for their members sometimes offering scholarships....They will have you bird-dogging and pointing to the spot of where ball is being put in play....

One of the primary differences between IAABO and NFHS is that IAABO prefers officials go opposite the table after calling fouls. And as a matter of fact, starting with this season, IAABO also included tableside mechanics in their manual. So, they now show both.

IAABO needs to change it's name to GQABOCNEO* to more accurately reflect it's current status and mission.

That would be the "Gerentocracy of Questionably Approved Basketball Officials for Colorado, New England and Ontario*."

* = includes a miniscule footprint at overseas military installations to provide the illusion of international status.

I went once, after my first year. I thought it was worth it.

I don't think I'll go again though.

If you're new to the game, and especially to 3-man, I definitely think the camp has value.

...and this is a bad thing because.....?

You're right. I meant their goofy interpretations.

Example ...
 

From the March/April 2015 IAABO Sportorials Magazine:

Rules Questions For The IAABO Interpreter

1) A1 is fouled while in the act of trying for a goal. The try is not successful. A1 is awarded two free throws. The first free throw is successful. Upon the release of A1’s second free throw, B3, located in the free throw lane space nearest the free thrower, enters the free throw lane and then, with his/her foot, breaks the far plane of the free throw line prior to the ball contacting the basket ring, or the backboard. The official rules this action by B3 a violation. Is the official correct?

Answer: Yes. Reference 9-1-3-D (may enter the free throw lane; the free throw semicircle is not part of the free throw lane; the free throw semicircle if “off limits” to all, excepting the free thrower, until the ball contacts the basket ring, or the backboard.)

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.I5VQ...c=1&w=82&h=108

Wow. Someone has too much time on their hands to even think of this scenario.

NFHS
1981 - revised free-throw restrictions to allow leaving marked spaces when ball is released;

1993 - player along lane may not break plane of free-throw line until ball hits backboard;

1997 - restricted movement on free-throw lane until ball touches ring or backboard.

2003 - number of players permitted on the lane during free throws reduced;

2008 - players moved up toward thrower during free throws; new free-throw mark added to designate final marked lane space;

2014 - A player occupying a marked lane space...may enter the lane on the release of the ball by the free throw shooter.

So, one may surmise that the interpretation by IAABO is well founded; and that the absence of that interpretation, by the NFHS, is another case of the NFHS simply removing a statement from their rules, w/o notice, and a lack of attention to their own rules history.

Well, it's not. Although I was thinking about this last night. How many times did I remember officials in the NCAA tournament pointing toward the spot. Few to none, now that I think about it.

Makes me wonder if I'm going to get downgraded for pointing at the spot if I go to a try-out camp.

Not all are 3-man
 

Be careful with assuming they are three man. When I went, it was 2-man (I went to the one in RI, which is now in MA). To my knowledge, the NJ one is 3-man. Not sure about the others.

Only if you stand there lingering. However you do it, just make sure it is crisp and polished.

Been doing one IAABO camp for the last three years. Here's my insight:

*During a game, you run through the mechanics exactly as if it were a real game, with the exception of making up a number at the table. (Many times, teams wear their practice jerseys without numbers.) No "summer mechanics" here, strictly IAABO mechanics. If your games are assigned and evaluated by IAABO, I can't imagine what other mechanics you'd want to be taught.

*Games are what they are. At my camp, it has been boys' varsity basketball. Talent can vary, but in the end, it's all about your work and dealing with whatever's on the court. Choosing talent level is not part of our job, anyway.

*Even though a majority of the clinics push the same things I've been hearing for years, there's always something I pick up that either misunderstood or just somehow eluded me. My board does very little in-season evaluations (unless you're a rookie or happened to be assigned to a rookie that day), so these camps are the only real evaluations I get.

One thing I've learned is to have a more patient whistle. (We do this in soccer, would like to see it more in basketball.) E.g., if A-1 is displacing B-2 during a rebound, and B-2 or a teammate gets the ball, we may want to pass on that call. It took a camp for me to learn that.

If you think you're not getting enough evaluation during the year, then a camp is probably for you.

Not really that uncommon a scenario. I'm guessing it'll start happening every game unless the NFHS actually makes the rule what Tom Lopes says it is.

I worked a camp this weekend under NCAA-M's rules. I called a foul from the trail when B3 displaced the free throw shooter. As I crossed paths with the Center, he told me "good get". Not a word about the play from the observer.