Basketball Referee Training

Referees need whistles to get the attention of players and coaches during a game.

Referring basketball games allows you to become as close to the game as you can without actually playing it. Proper training is essential to becoming a qualified referee. A certification is required for most basketball leagues. Many referring training schools are available. These schools teach you the fundamentals of being a basketball referee. It's essential to keep referring skills sharp after you become certified to officiate at a high level for many years.

Physical Demands

Basketball referees need to be in good shape to run up and down the court many times throughout a fast-paced basketball game. Basketball referees might jog long distances and lift weights using light weights and a high number of repetitions to develop endurance. Leg exercises are more important because of the amount of running involved. Leg presses, calf raises and leg curls are just some of the simple exercises that can help get legs into game shape.

Rules

Basketball referees must know the rules of basketball inside and out. Basketball rules vary at each level of play, though basic rules are the same for every league. A basketball referee should study the game rules of every league he plans on officiating. The last thing any basketball referee wants is to encounter confusion as an official during a basketball game. Rule books should be available for every league you officiate. Documentation of every obstacle or disagreement should be found in rule books.

Signals

Basketball referees use many signals throughout a basketball game. A basketball referee training program should provide an example and explanation for every signal. Basketball referee training should involve memorizing signals and learning how to make them clearly and quickly to avoid any uncertainty. It can also be a good idea to review signals right before a game.

Individual Preparation

Mental training is just as important as physical training for basketball referees. In addition to regular training coursework, basketball referees should regularly watch games in person or on TV. Watching games can help a basketball referee gain a better understanding of game speed. It's best to watch games that involve teams you'll eventually officiate. You'll gain a better understanding of the type of game these teams play. This also allows basketball referees to learn the habits and tendencies of specific players, which can result in a game that is officiated better.

Schools

Proper training and certification are required for most leagues. Officiating schools are available throughout the country. Each school teaches in its own unique way. Demonstrations, lectures and exercises are the basic teaching methods. Officials can learn from peers on what life is like for an official through these schools. Most leagues require re-certification or retraining on different rules each season. Schools can provide the proper retraining that organizations require.

References

• National Association of Sports Officials: How to Become an Official - Basketball
• The National Basketball Referees Association: Welcome