I have seen a few blatant instances of what I have come to call "Basketball Suicide" by players, and thought it would be interesting to share this with whomever is bored enough to actually be reading this.
Some players lack emotional control. Nothing they do is a foul. They are persecuted. All officials hate them. They hate officials. When normal communication with these guys fail, we always have several tools to manage them: talk to captains, talk to coaches, call personal fouls, or call the technical. No matter how you deal with them, the chip on the their shoulder makes them appear to tilt when they walk.
You need to really be careful near the end of games with these folks. We all talk about "instigators" and "disruptors", who you have to pay close attention to on dead balls. However, put yourself in their shoes for a minute. They are tired. They are frustrated. More often than not, they are losing. If they have 4 fouls, you think they might boil over and deck someone, just to vent and not have to play anymore?
I've had this happen 3 times this year. All 3 times, a player has been in foul trouble, been unhappy with us, not been responsive to our efforts to communicate and reason with them, and when it became apparent that their team would lose the game, just snapped and intentionally committed a hard foul. Knowing it was 5, they simply went straight to the bench immediately following the whistle. The bad part--you know that the foul was intentional and could cause major problems in your game. The good part--he left the game quickly, quietly, and without the attention that an intentional or flagrant would give. Didn't even need to wait for the sub. Everyone in the gym knew, and the game went on smoothly without him.
The real question is, why is it not a flagrant or intentional? Tough call to make late in a game that is already decided. Unless you are sure that everyone saw a dirty, non-basketball play, would it be good game management to penalize this player for a blatant hard shove in the back on a rebound or ramming through a screen, especially when no escalation or reaction from the person who was fouled occurred? Would the film support and ejection? That is the ironic thing for me this year: in all 3 of these instances, the opponent who got decked did not even acknowledge the malicious intent; they just got up and went to the line.
However, keep in mind, that if you have a bad apple during your game who has been in foul trouble, and later in the second half it becomes apparent that his team will lose, be especially vigilant to prevent something ugly. Because players without emotional control may take the easy way out, along with frustration that could cause bigger issues for you when the game has been decided. "Basketball Suicide" happens more often than you think. Not many players lack emotional control; I'd say about 5%. But watch for the symptoms and try and head it off.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Managing Free Throws
One of the biggest things that we do not do well as officials is manage free throws. It seems like an easy thing to do, but many times teams and players are able to get away with a lot more during free throws to gain an unfair and illegal advantage. You can improve the game by being vigilant during free throws. The following are some comments I heard a few years ago from Dick Cartmell and other observations that I and a few others have made on this topic. These tenets and ideas have made a huge difference for me.
1. You must not allow players to be pushed under the basket. We've all seen it--red team shooting, on the "blockout", white pushes into red under the hoop resulting in tip in or possession for red. There are only 2 ways for the offensive team to secure the rebound on a missed free throw:
A. One is for a long rebound to come out where it can be tipped by a player jumping straight up or chased down towards the sideline.
B. The other is for the offensive player to move his feet quickly enough to establish his position and get the rebound without displacing the defensive player.
Allowing players to push towards the basket happens a lot. It should be difficult for an offensive team to get a rebound on a missed free throw. Unless they get the rebound by using quickess and outhustling the defensive team--which happens more frequently than you think--or the missed free throw is a complete brick that bounces out hard, you need to make sure that the offense doesn't steal the rebound by pushing. I know I make it a point, if the game is getting physical or it is late in the game, to tell the second guy "Don't push! Use your quicks!" when administering from the lane. Doesn't hurt to reinforce this when you need to. Players listen and adapt more than you realize.
2. It is illegal of the defensive player inthe 3rd slot on the lane to "pinch" the offensive player into the defensive player in the 1st slot. This is much more important in college, when the players on the lane can move upon the release of the shot. Pinching in so the offensive rebounder in the 2nd slot cannot use his feet to try and be quick to beat the block out is a foul. Some coaches teach the "pinch". Remember, if the goal is to allow freedom of movement, and you want to avoid pushing towards the hoop on free throws, you must manage this, too. Can't have one without the other. And no, this is not a Reese's commercial.
3. Disconcerting the free throw shooter. Typically, the higher the level, the less this occurs. However, you will occasionally have players put their arms up, and drop them on the shot. I tell them to make a decision "Up or Down", and that usually stops this issue. Not dealing with disconcertion can lead to escalation of attitudes, talking, and physical play. As much as coaches hate it, if it is blatant or happens after a warning, have the courage to call it. Once you call it once, I can almost guarantee you that it will not happen again in that game. And the players will know that you are correct and mean business.
We don't talk about managing free throws much, but paying rapt attention to these little details during a time when some players and officials have a tendency to relax a little bit will pay big dividends when you need them.
1. You must not allow players to be pushed under the basket. We've all seen it--red team shooting, on the "blockout", white pushes into red under the hoop resulting in tip in or possession for red. There are only 2 ways for the offensive team to secure the rebound on a missed free throw:
A. One is for a long rebound to come out where it can be tipped by a player jumping straight up or chased down towards the sideline.
B. The other is for the offensive player to move his feet quickly enough to establish his position and get the rebound without displacing the defensive player.
Allowing players to push towards the basket happens a lot. It should be difficult for an offensive team to get a rebound on a missed free throw. Unless they get the rebound by using quickess and outhustling the defensive team--which happens more frequently than you think--or the missed free throw is a complete brick that bounces out hard, you need to make sure that the offense doesn't steal the rebound by pushing. I know I make it a point, if the game is getting physical or it is late in the game, to tell the second guy "Don't push! Use your quicks!" when administering from the lane. Doesn't hurt to reinforce this when you need to. Players listen and adapt more than you realize.
2. It is illegal of the defensive player inthe 3rd slot on the lane to "pinch" the offensive player into the defensive player in the 1st slot. This is much more important in college, when the players on the lane can move upon the release of the shot. Pinching in so the offensive rebounder in the 2nd slot cannot use his feet to try and be quick to beat the block out is a foul. Some coaches teach the "pinch". Remember, if the goal is to allow freedom of movement, and you want to avoid pushing towards the hoop on free throws, you must manage this, too. Can't have one without the other. And no, this is not a Reese's commercial.
3. Disconcerting the free throw shooter. Typically, the higher the level, the less this occurs. However, you will occasionally have players put their arms up, and drop them on the shot. I tell them to make a decision "Up or Down", and that usually stops this issue. Not dealing with disconcertion can lead to escalation of attitudes, talking, and physical play. As much as coaches hate it, if it is blatant or happens after a warning, have the courage to call it. Once you call it once, I can almost guarantee you that it will not happen again in that game. And the players will know that you are correct and mean business.
We don't talk about managing free throws much, but paying rapt attention to these little details during a time when some players and officials have a tendency to relax a little bit will pay big dividends when you need them.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Coaches' Perspectives
Al Moberg of Oregon is the King of Communication. Every couple of weeks he sends out an e-mail to his officials outlining his observations in order to help everyone improve. Paul Cooley of Spokane sent out some areas of concern that the coaches had reported to him over the course of the first-half of league games this year. Going back to Mickey Crowley's rule that perception is very important, the following is an abridged list of some things we should all think about and try to phase out of our games:
1. Working hard for the majority of the game and then missing calls late.
2. Making late-game calls that have not been made earlier.
3. Officials becoming defensive when asked about a rule.
4. Officials incorrectly quoting rules.
5. Inappropriate and unprofessional comments made to players by officials.
6. Allowing one coach to bully officials, causing other coach to yell or get screwed.
7. Officials not on same page, calling different games on the same floor.
8. Officials not being approachable and maintaining open communications throughout the game.
9. Being surprised by plays/situations and having "no-calls".
10. Being too high as the C and T to make the right calls in the paint.
Keep these in mind as you go forward. They can and will help how you and your crew are perceived by coaches and assignors.
1. Working hard for the majority of the game and then missing calls late.
2. Making late-game calls that have not been made earlier.
3. Officials becoming defensive when asked about a rule.
4. Officials incorrectly quoting rules.
5. Inappropriate and unprofessional comments made to players by officials.
6. Allowing one coach to bully officials, causing other coach to yell or get screwed.
7. Officials not on same page, calling different games on the same floor.
8. Officials not being approachable and maintaining open communications throughout the game.
9. Being surprised by plays/situations and having "no-calls".
10. Being too high as the C and T to make the right calls in the paint.
Keep these in mind as you go forward. They can and will help how you and your crew are perceived by coaches and assignors.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
When 2 Trails Is Good
There are some situations where it is a good thing to have 2 T's. This goes agianst a lot of convention: "It is better to have 2 C's than 2 T's" is a common theme preached during training sessions and at camps. This philosophy is good, because you want both the C and the T to stay engaged in the play, and not bail out on rebounds when their support of the play around the basket is critical to get the best look and get it right. However, think about having 2 T's during the following situations:
1. If a team is purposefully slowing the ball down to milk the shot clock. This has happened in several of my recent games. The offensive team is running weaves well outside the top of the key to avoid the 5-second count on the ball handler. Lots of aggressive defense, lots of high screens, no real cuts to the basket or screens to free people up below the free throw line. By going ot 2 T's here, you get great looks at the screeners and secondary defenders, and have 2 guys actively involved in where the play is. You also don't have forced movement based on the L rotating ball side. If there is no play below the foul line, why would the L have to rotate? It is also very easy to slide back into the L-T-C alignment as the shot clock winds down, and the offensive team makes their play to score.
2. Same principle applies when there is no shot clock, and the defense is in a tight zone, usually a 1-3-1 or 1-2-2. If the offense decides to pass the ball east-west freqently out top to try and beat the top defender in the zone, you culd wind up with too many rotations. If the L is patient, and doesn't rotate until the ball is in play on one side or the other, you can have 2 T's, with the weak side T sliding down to C (2 or 3 simple steps) when the ball drops below the FT line on the opposite side, when their is potential for a scoring chance or post play, and the L rotates there.
As long as you're back to the L-T-C alignment on scoring plays and to support rebounding sequences, you can be a better crew by doing this at times. This is a great thing to talk about during a TO. This would be tough to pre-game, because it is is not a frequent occurrence, but if you like 45-minute pre-games, have at it!
1. If a team is purposefully slowing the ball down to milk the shot clock. This has happened in several of my recent games. The offensive team is running weaves well outside the top of the key to avoid the 5-second count on the ball handler. Lots of aggressive defense, lots of high screens, no real cuts to the basket or screens to free people up below the free throw line. By going ot 2 T's here, you get great looks at the screeners and secondary defenders, and have 2 guys actively involved in where the play is. You also don't have forced movement based on the L rotating ball side. If there is no play below the foul line, why would the L have to rotate? It is also very easy to slide back into the L-T-C alignment as the shot clock winds down, and the offensive team makes their play to score.
2. Same principle applies when there is no shot clock, and the defense is in a tight zone, usually a 1-3-1 or 1-2-2. If the offense decides to pass the ball east-west freqently out top to try and beat the top defender in the zone, you culd wind up with too many rotations. If the L is patient, and doesn't rotate until the ball is in play on one side or the other, you can have 2 T's, with the weak side T sliding down to C (2 or 3 simple steps) when the ball drops below the FT line on the opposite side, when their is potential for a scoring chance or post play, and the L rotates there.
As long as you're back to the L-T-C alignment on scoring plays and to support rebounding sequences, you can be a better crew by doing this at times. This is a great thing to talk about during a TO. This would be tough to pre-game, because it is is not a frequent occurrence, but if you like 45-minute pre-games, have at it!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Ed Rush Advice
Ed Rush is an outstanding clinician who is another of those folks who is at the forefront of new and innovative officiating theories. The points he makes are prety salient. Some of the unique ones are provided here:
1. "Elephants not Ants". Look for the big stuff, let the little stuff go!
2. We miss plays for 3 reasons:
a. Looking in the wrong place
b. Standing in the wrong place.
c. Not paying attention.
3. Always make quality calls on 4's and 5's. There are not many quality big men; their playing time is at a premium.
4. On plays going away from you as the C or T, make sure they are "High Certainty", and do not make a call if you are straightlined.
5. Most plays are not 5 on 5: a couple players almost always have the play off. Figure out who is playing basketball on each particular play and referee them.
6. Create a climate for the offense to get to the rim. That's what the game is about.
7. The closer defenders are to the basket, the more likely they are ‘protecting the hoop’, meaning they are jumping straight up – Verticality. Outside, typically, defenders are jumping toward the ball / offender… almost always!
1. "Elephants not Ants". Look for the big stuff, let the little stuff go!
2. We miss plays for 3 reasons:
a. Looking in the wrong place
b. Standing in the wrong place.
c. Not paying attention.
3. Always make quality calls on 4's and 5's. There are not many quality big men; their playing time is at a premium.
4. On plays going away from you as the C or T, make sure they are "High Certainty", and do not make a call if you are straightlined.
5. Most plays are not 5 on 5: a couple players almost always have the play off. Figure out who is playing basketball on each particular play and referee them.
6. Create a climate for the offense to get to the rim. That's what the game is about.
7. The closer defenders are to the basket, the more likely they are ‘protecting the hoop’, meaning they are jumping straight up – Verticality. Outside, typically, defenders are jumping toward the ball / offender… almost always!
Great Charlie Range Quote
It's been typed here before--most of us think we are better than we really are. Our self-evaluations are generally better than those of others. Some of that is vanity; some of it is the envy of others. Either way, Charlie Range has a great point:
"Be humble--humility is a good trait. Accept criticism--no game is without mistakes; what varies is the number and magnitude."
Remember that the number and magnitude are subjective. Work hard and be humble to ensure that most perceptions of your attitude and mistakes are in your favor.
"Be humble--humility is a good trait. Accept criticism--no game is without mistakes; what varies is the number and magnitude."
Remember that the number and magnitude are subjective. Work hard and be humble to ensure that most perceptions of your attitude and mistakes are in your favor.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Late Game Pre-Game
The subject of a pre-game is always mentioned as vitally important to the success of a crew on a nightly basis. Some officials want to go over as many details as possible, spending the better part of 30 minutes droning about very specific plays/coverages. Others refuse to do much of a pre-game, such as when veterans who have worked together a lot feel that there is little need for a long discussion.
Down the stretch of close games, it is generally a good idea for the crew to get together during timeouts. Some officials hate this. They feel that they know what they are supposed to do, and the last thing they want is the arrogant partner to tell them to "focus" during crunch time. Most of us don't really need a cheerleader at this point in a game, but that's almost always there.
However, it is smart to cover "what-if" scenarios for a final possession when the outcome of the game has not been decided. I was on a crew earlier this week that had the best late-game pre-game I'd ever been a part of, and as a result, we were completely prepared for all plausible situations that could occur. I figured it would be a good thing to share as either a lesson leanred, or a short checklist to think about.
We had 2 seconds left, red team down by 1. The white team had made a free throw to take the lead, and the red team called a TO to set up their inbounds play to score at the other end. The inbounder was able to move along the baseline if he had to, and it was apparent that the white team would be pressing. During the TO, we were able to discuss the following issues:
1. C was opposite table, and had the call for whether the final shot was good or not. However, C had to stay in back court to help manage the throw in, due to the press. Therefore, the crew decided that if a long pass was thrown to the far side, and the shot was taken from below the FT line on the T/L side of the court, that the L would make that call. If the shot came from anywhere short of the FT line, or on the same side of the court as the C, that the C would have the best look. If there was a shot near the opposite corner, possibly 70 feet away from the C, the L should take that.
2. If there was a long inbounds pass into the front court, the L would help mark the 3. On the L side of the floor, he would take it. On the opposite side, he would have to be able to help if the C was too far away to get a good look. (This was irrelevant to us, but relevant to this topic since a 2-point margin would have made this very important.)
3. The L would have to be aware of the red coach may try and call a TO to prevent a 5-second call if the inbounds play appeared to be in jeopardy. The red coach would probably be jumpy, so it was imperative to be aware of him, and make a strong and visible call if he got the TO prior to the 5-seconds or the inbounds pass was made.
4. On a long pass, the T would have responsibility to make sure the clock started on time and correctly. The C and L would be busy managing the play. On a regular/short pass, the L would make sure the clock started on time and correctly.
5. If we were going to have a foul on the defense, we would make sure that the offensive player had won the matchup, beat the defender(s), and had their chance to score legitimately affected. It could be a cut in the backcourt, or a foul on the shot after a long pass. No bailouts, but don;t be afraid to get the foul in the whole gym knows it was warranted.
End result was a short pass that resulted in one dribble, and lean towards the defender, and 70 foot have that fell 30 feet short of the hoop. All the preparation was for nothing, but it was cool that we had those details locked and loaded to maximize our chances of getting it right, having no game clock issues, and the L not stuck on the end line where he could not really contribute to the play. Other issues to be aware of in these siutations:
1. On free throws that can break a tie with very little time remaining, it is a good idea to specifically tell the shooter's teammates NOT to push on the rebound. The last thing they or you would want is to have a foul to put the other team at the line at the other end. Make that point and minimize that risk. It helped us in this instance prior to the last play.
2. Remember the 0.3 second rule. If tha is an issue, remind the players as the exit their huddle or lineup thatif they catch the ball, the shot won't count--it must be tipped.
3. Remind a team if they are out of timeouts prior to the ball being put in play. "No Chris Webbers!" will be met with a smile by most players and the point will be well made.
4. Coaches may tell you if they are running a trick play. Last month a coach told me as they were coming out that they would pass the ball between teammates along the baseline prior to throwing the inbounds (after the made basket by the opponent and subsequent TO). He wanted to make sure that we knew it was legal. Good thinking on his part, and it helped us.
If there are other good ideas, let's have them. Hope this is helpful, too.
Down the stretch of close games, it is generally a good idea for the crew to get together during timeouts. Some officials hate this. They feel that they know what they are supposed to do, and the last thing they want is the arrogant partner to tell them to "focus" during crunch time. Most of us don't really need a cheerleader at this point in a game, but that's almost always there.
However, it is smart to cover "what-if" scenarios for a final possession when the outcome of the game has not been decided. I was on a crew earlier this week that had the best late-game pre-game I'd ever been a part of, and as a result, we were completely prepared for all plausible situations that could occur. I figured it would be a good thing to share as either a lesson leanred, or a short checklist to think about.
We had 2 seconds left, red team down by 1. The white team had made a free throw to take the lead, and the red team called a TO to set up their inbounds play to score at the other end. The inbounder was able to move along the baseline if he had to, and it was apparent that the white team would be pressing. During the TO, we were able to discuss the following issues:
1. C was opposite table, and had the call for whether the final shot was good or not. However, C had to stay in back court to help manage the throw in, due to the press. Therefore, the crew decided that if a long pass was thrown to the far side, and the shot was taken from below the FT line on the T/L side of the court, that the L would make that call. If the shot came from anywhere short of the FT line, or on the same side of the court as the C, that the C would have the best look. If there was a shot near the opposite corner, possibly 70 feet away from the C, the L should take that.
2. If there was a long inbounds pass into the front court, the L would help mark the 3. On the L side of the floor, he would take it. On the opposite side, he would have to be able to help if the C was too far away to get a good look. (This was irrelevant to us, but relevant to this topic since a 2-point margin would have made this very important.)
3. The L would have to be aware of the red coach may try and call a TO to prevent a 5-second call if the inbounds play appeared to be in jeopardy. The red coach would probably be jumpy, so it was imperative to be aware of him, and make a strong and visible call if he got the TO prior to the 5-seconds or the inbounds pass was made.
4. On a long pass, the T would have responsibility to make sure the clock started on time and correctly. The C and L would be busy managing the play. On a regular/short pass, the L would make sure the clock started on time and correctly.
5. If we were going to have a foul on the defense, we would make sure that the offensive player had won the matchup, beat the defender(s), and had their chance to score legitimately affected. It could be a cut in the backcourt, or a foul on the shot after a long pass. No bailouts, but don;t be afraid to get the foul in the whole gym knows it was warranted.
End result was a short pass that resulted in one dribble, and lean towards the defender, and 70 foot have that fell 30 feet short of the hoop. All the preparation was for nothing, but it was cool that we had those details locked and loaded to maximize our chances of getting it right, having no game clock issues, and the L not stuck on the end line where he could not really contribute to the play. Other issues to be aware of in these siutations:
1. On free throws that can break a tie with very little time remaining, it is a good idea to specifically tell the shooter's teammates NOT to push on the rebound. The last thing they or you would want is to have a foul to put the other team at the line at the other end. Make that point and minimize that risk. It helped us in this instance prior to the last play.
2. Remember the 0.3 second rule. If tha is an issue, remind the players as the exit their huddle or lineup thatif they catch the ball, the shot won't count--it must be tipped.
3. Remind a team if they are out of timeouts prior to the ball being put in play. "No Chris Webbers!" will be met with a smile by most players and the point will be well made.
4. Coaches may tell you if they are running a trick play. Last month a coach told me as they were coming out that they would pass the ball between teammates along the baseline prior to throwing the inbounds (after the made basket by the opponent and subsequent TO). He wanted to make sure that we knew it was legal. Good thinking on his part, and it helped us.
If there are other good ideas, let's have them. Hope this is helpful, too.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Report Card
One of the best basketball officials in the world is Mickey Crowley, who has had a distinguished career as an official and assignor for over 40 years. He was gracious enough to provide us with his list called, "Steps In Moving To The Next Level". This is the most comprehensive list I have ever seen--65 line items to meausre yourself against. This is an awesome tool to use to meausre yourself, identify your weaknesses, and make improvements in your game and approach to it, because nobody on Earth is great at all 65. Enjoy this gift from the man who was nice enough to send me a copy of this snail-mail style!
1. Work with great officials.
2. Listen and learn from everyone.
3. Think all the time.
4. Get a great look at plays. (Seaquence/Catalog/Repeat)
5. Be in great condition.
6. Be excellent mechanically.
7. Know the rules.
8. Understand the perception is everything in order to gain credibility.
9. Exude confidence.
10. Sell plays equally.
11. See the same game at both ends with partners.
12. Work hard; sweat as much as possible.
13. Be consistent game to game.
14. Use your common sense.
15. Treat everyone with total and uncompromising respect.
16. Choose your words carefully; eliminate excess talk.
17. Be a great partner.
18. Be global with your vision; local with your calls.
19. Be firm, fair, and polite with everyone.
20. Make the big call right.
21. Never be surprised.
22. Be persistent, set reachable goals, and pick them off one at a time.
23. Work games in segments.
24. Work today’s game.
25. Admit it when you are wrong.
26. Know what to say and what you say in situations.
27. Keep a game-by-game journal of what you have learned.
28. Manage the game and all aspects of it.
29. Forget the politics, jealousies, and negatives.
30. Don’t worry about who has what particular game.
31. Remember that every single game is huge to someone.
32. Work twice as hard the night after the biggest game of your life.
33. Pay attention to the business at hand. “Don’t talk to the minister just before the sermon.”
34. Perfect Preparation Prevents Pee-Poor Performance
35. Smile
36. Give yourself time to develop.
37. Teach officiating to someone; it makes you better.
38. Make an excellent table presentation every single time.
39. Never walk when you can run.
40. Rebound from a bad call; make the next one right.
41. Never challenge the supervisor in public.
42. Don’t rely on anyone else to get things done for you.
43. Have a quality support system.
44. Take the best qualities of other officials and make them yours.
45. Watch yourself on isolated video tape.
46. Chart every whistle 3-5 games per year.
47. Get a constant pre-game routine.
48. Use the law of readiness to guide you to the next level.
49. Accept teaching and criticism openly and objectively.
50. Look/See/Wait/Blow
51. Be a good no-call official.
52. Ask for help when you don’t know; never make one up.
53. Never lose control.
54. Break up fights when they start.
55. Know what you can say and to whom you can say it.
56. Objectively evaluate your weaknesses.
57. Be humble.
58. Be a human being.
59. Get an unbreakable bond with someone.
60. Call you own technical fouls.
61. Be beyond reproach in all that you do.
62. Make each fellow official better.
63. Be “athletic”; look ready to work; “Prowl”.
64. Be aware of body language, how you stand, and facial expressions.
65. Recognize the game has been played for a long time and will continue long after you are gone. Respect your part in the game.
1. Work with great officials.
2. Listen and learn from everyone.
3. Think all the time.
4. Get a great look at plays. (Seaquence/Catalog/Repeat)
5. Be in great condition.
6. Be excellent mechanically.
7. Know the rules.
8. Understand the perception is everything in order to gain credibility.
9. Exude confidence.
10. Sell plays equally.
11. See the same game at both ends with partners.
12. Work hard; sweat as much as possible.
13. Be consistent game to game.
14. Use your common sense.
15. Treat everyone with total and uncompromising respect.
16. Choose your words carefully; eliminate excess talk.
17. Be a great partner.
18. Be global with your vision; local with your calls.
19. Be firm, fair, and polite with everyone.
20. Make the big call right.
21. Never be surprised.
22. Be persistent, set reachable goals, and pick them off one at a time.
23. Work games in segments.
24. Work today’s game.
25. Admit it when you are wrong.
26. Know what to say and what you say in situations.
27. Keep a game-by-game journal of what you have learned.
28. Manage the game and all aspects of it.
29. Forget the politics, jealousies, and negatives.
30. Don’t worry about who has what particular game.
31. Remember that every single game is huge to someone.
32. Work twice as hard the night after the biggest game of your life.
33. Pay attention to the business at hand. “Don’t talk to the minister just before the sermon.”
34. Perfect Preparation Prevents Pee-Poor Performance
35. Smile
36. Give yourself time to develop.
37. Teach officiating to someone; it makes you better.
38. Make an excellent table presentation every single time.
39. Never walk when you can run.
40. Rebound from a bad call; make the next one right.
41. Never challenge the supervisor in public.
42. Don’t rely on anyone else to get things done for you.
43. Have a quality support system.
44. Take the best qualities of other officials and make them yours.
45. Watch yourself on isolated video tape.
46. Chart every whistle 3-5 games per year.
47. Get a constant pre-game routine.
48. Use the law of readiness to guide you to the next level.
49. Accept teaching and criticism openly and objectively.
50. Look/See/Wait/Blow
51. Be a good no-call official.
52. Ask for help when you don’t know; never make one up.
53. Never lose control.
54. Break up fights when they start.
55. Know what you can say and to whom you can say it.
56. Objectively evaluate your weaknesses.
57. Be humble.
58. Be a human being.
59. Get an unbreakable bond with someone.
60. Call you own technical fouls.
61. Be beyond reproach in all that you do.
62. Make each fellow official better.
63. Be “athletic”; look ready to work; “Prowl”.
64. Be aware of body language, how you stand, and facial expressions.
65. Recognize the game has been played for a long time and will continue long after you are gone. Respect your part in the game.
Where Primary and Secondary Areas Blur: How To Help Partners Well
“Trust your partners” is a phrase that is heard all the time at officiating camps, during pre-games, and training sessions. Each of us has a primary area of the court where we have the responsibility to take the on-ball matchup. Our personal credibility is based on how well we officiate on-ball, since that gets the most attention from the coaches, administrators, and fans. While “trust your partners” is a general reminder to officiate off-ball well, we sometimes lose sight of why we have partners. There is a disconnect between the literal interpretation of “trust your partners” and crew credibility. While poaching calls is bad for individuals and the crew, and “Oh My God” calls have to be made by anyone-anytime-anyplace--giving good help is very important to getting it right as a crew.
When the ball gets into the low post, or gets near the vicinity of the basket on a drive, all 3 officials should be aware of what is going on, because a scoring chance is imminent. During these times, there is almost no chance that a bad screen or significant off-ball contact will be occurring well away from the ball, almost all of the pertinent things the crew needs to watch will be on-ball. The offense is making their move; the defense is reacting to prevent the basket. Most of your primary players will be doing one of 3 things: watching the drive/setting up for the kickout pass, moving towards the basket to prepare for a rebound, or becoming secondary defenders rushing the ball. Only the third of those will affect that game. That’s when you will shift most (not all) of your focus from off-ball to the play affecting the game—the scoring chance.
The important thing to remember, is to determine who has the best look at the play. In the low post, there are times when the L will not have the best look. If the ball is out of your primary, but circumstances of the play allow you to have the best look of the 3 officials, and you have “high certainty” that a foul has occurred, that is exactly when you want to reach and go help. That makes you more effective, and also gives the crew a higher credibility. Note the bolded and underlined type, because they are critically important. Here are some examples of when you can provide “great help” to your partners:
1. As the C, when the ball is in the opposite low block, which way does the post player turn? If the players turns towards the inside, you will have a great look at contact on the inside half of the offensive player, and also of any secondary defender rotating from your side. If he turns outside, you have almost no look. Either way, after the shot attempt, you will have the offside rebounding responsibility.
2. As the T, when the ball is on the block, you also in a great position for two things: helping on the play rotating back inside to the front of the basket, and also the wide view of the players feet. The L will be looking up high for contact, so the T can be very helpful in watching for travels and hacks at waist-level in the post.
3. The same principles apply on drives to the basket down the lane. We all know that the official stays with a drive that starts in his primary, but when the driver gets mid-key, that official may not continue to have the best look at the play. If you see contact from a secondary defender coming from your primary, that’s a great time to help out. Best-case scenario: You have a double-whistle and you can give it up to the primary. Worst-case scenario: You have made a call that the primary could no longer see the best, and helped the crew.
4. Often times, the C can get straightlined when the offensive player beats his man, either on the dribble or a drop-step in the post. We try to never call across the key as the L, but many times in this situation, there is a hack down low, where the C is straightlined. That’s a great time for the L to come across and help.
5. On a drive to the basket from the wing, or on a rebound situation, the C or T can be very helpful by getting the block/charge or “over the back” on the opposite block. Again, if the ball goes that way on a drive or rebound, not much off-ball will be occurring.
As always, perceptions can be that “it’s not your area” when you make these calls. Make sure that you call them confidently, because remember, you must have “high certainty” to make them. Closing on those calls also helps the perception.
You should also not have to be making these types of calls on a regular basis. If you get them in my primary once or twice a game, you’ll hear, “Great pickup!” from me. But when you pick your spots based on who has the best look, you help the crew, and the game, a great deal.
When the ball gets into the low post, or gets near the vicinity of the basket on a drive, all 3 officials should be aware of what is going on, because a scoring chance is imminent. During these times, there is almost no chance that a bad screen or significant off-ball contact will be occurring well away from the ball, almost all of the pertinent things the crew needs to watch will be on-ball. The offense is making their move; the defense is reacting to prevent the basket. Most of your primary players will be doing one of 3 things: watching the drive/setting up for the kickout pass, moving towards the basket to prepare for a rebound, or becoming secondary defenders rushing the ball. Only the third of those will affect that game. That’s when you will shift most (not all) of your focus from off-ball to the play affecting the game—the scoring chance.
The important thing to remember, is to determine who has the best look at the play. In the low post, there are times when the L will not have the best look. If the ball is out of your primary, but circumstances of the play allow you to have the best look of the 3 officials, and you have “high certainty” that a foul has occurred, that is exactly when you want to reach and go help. That makes you more effective, and also gives the crew a higher credibility. Note the bolded and underlined type, because they are critically important. Here are some examples of when you can provide “great help” to your partners:
1. As the C, when the ball is in the opposite low block, which way does the post player turn? If the players turns towards the inside, you will have a great look at contact on the inside half of the offensive player, and also of any secondary defender rotating from your side. If he turns outside, you have almost no look. Either way, after the shot attempt, you will have the offside rebounding responsibility.
2. As the T, when the ball is on the block, you also in a great position for two things: helping on the play rotating back inside to the front of the basket, and also the wide view of the players feet. The L will be looking up high for contact, so the T can be very helpful in watching for travels and hacks at waist-level in the post.
3. The same principles apply on drives to the basket down the lane. We all know that the official stays with a drive that starts in his primary, but when the driver gets mid-key, that official may not continue to have the best look at the play. If you see contact from a secondary defender coming from your primary, that’s a great time to help out. Best-case scenario: You have a double-whistle and you can give it up to the primary. Worst-case scenario: You have made a call that the primary could no longer see the best, and helped the crew.
4. Often times, the C can get straightlined when the offensive player beats his man, either on the dribble or a drop-step in the post. We try to never call across the key as the L, but many times in this situation, there is a hack down low, where the C is straightlined. That’s a great time for the L to come across and help.
5. On a drive to the basket from the wing, or on a rebound situation, the C or T can be very helpful by getting the block/charge or “over the back” on the opposite block. Again, if the ball goes that way on a drive or rebound, not much off-ball will be occurring.
As always, perceptions can be that “it’s not your area” when you make these calls. Make sure that you call them confidently, because remember, you must have “high certainty” to make them. Closing on those calls also helps the perception.
You should also not have to be making these types of calls on a regular basis. If you get them in my primary once or twice a game, you’ll hear, “Great pickup!” from me. But when you pick your spots based on who has the best look, you help the crew, and the game, a great deal.
Super Bowl
How much more robotic could the R be for Super Bowl 42? Not something I'd really want to emulate. I've heard that Ed Hochuli was scheduled for the game but was withdrawn because he was mentioned in the Mitchell Report...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)