Referee

Basketball Official Referee Forum

This weekend I spent my time at the Referee Communication Forum at Lutheran High School. This forum is put on my Jimmy Casas and helps basketball officials communicate with your partners, officials, and coaches.
Below are my notes for the forum. There is so much information in this 2-day class that I could not possibly gather it all down on paper but if you want to improve on your communication skills on and off the basketball court this is the place to learn from the best.
• Chris Rastatter
• Donnie Nunez
• Scott Twardoski
• Jimmy Casas
• Vince Valdaze

Communication Forum
What is communication? - Exchange of information between people – Verbal and Non-Verbal
In pregame talk about coaches personalities – differences
You as a basketball referee can enforce your leadership skills:
During Warm-ups
• Appearance
• Identify problem players – establish rapport
• Establish rapport with star player – know what they have done in the past
• Captains meeting – short and brief
• Coaches
• Smile
Start as the nice guy so you have somewhere to go if you have to enforce your leadership on the court.
Most important thing about communication – is listening – to coaches.
Confidence without egos – allow yourself to be a subordinate

What Kind of Official Are You?
Why I am here? Better verbalize with Coaches
# of times a 5 year old smile – 412
# of times a 30 year old smiles – 12
(Remember The Titans) Remember when you first starting officiating? It was so much fun. What do we do when things don’t become fun? What you do in your personal life is how you are going to be as an official…
(A Few Good Men) – What obstacles are in your way? There are no obstacles there are only stepping stones
One way to overcome obstacles is to maintain a positive attitude
Perspective - Keep things in positive light, keeps things in perspective
Focus - Keep focused on your goal
Grateful – Be happy for things that happen around you
(Matrix) – When determining your path you never know where its going to lead.
What is your goal for next season? D1 - 2 Conferences
Be honest with yourself
What can we control?
• Referee Camps
• Conditioning
• Rule Book/CaseBook
• Video Breakdown
• Practice
• Do what you say you are going to do when you say your going to do it
• Focus on your peers where you want to be
• Talk with peers
• STAY HUNGRY

• Only you know when you are ready
• You control your destiny
• You are the only one that can take the next step to your future