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Finally, the long season is over for Justin. His first year as a basketball ref has come to a close, and he can now fully reflect on the experience.

Becoming a Ref: My First JV Experience

I drove 45 minutes south to ref my first junior varsity game, and more than ever before, I know what I specifically need to work on.

I worked with two veteran officials who were willing to carry a little bit more of the load, which was helpful. I got there 30 minutes before tip but was the last to arrive, adding to my amateurism. I entered the locker room and was at least 25 years younger than everyone in the room, and they knew it. I was quickly asked how many years I had been a ref, and that’s when I broke the news: I have zero years of experience, and this was my first game at this level.


Understandably so, I don’t think my partners were thrilled to have such a revelation delivered. I didn’t take it personally. But that reluctance shook off fast, and they were asking me what I needed help with. Despite knowing I was far from absolutely knowledgeable, I couldn’t come up with anything to ask. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I had to step onto the court to find that out.

Immediately, I knew one thing I didn’t know much about: pregame. I haven’t had to do it yet, at least not at this level, so this was my first-ever experience with it. My partners were very helpful with picking up the slack, and I learned quite a bit from their instruction. I will need to get in my books and read up on pregame before my next date.

During the game, the other areas where I need to improve became clear, too. I need to get a better grasp of what to do during free throws, how rotations work based on what happened to cause it and non-verbal communication with my partners. The biggest mistakes I made came during free throws, like blowing my whistle after the first of two shots airballed, which caused some confusion. I nailed a few of the rotations, but I missed way more and wouldn’t have had a clue without my partners giving me hints. There were multiple times where I put the ball in play while my partners were giving me stop signs, but I wasn’t looking and didn’t notice.

Free throws and rotations can be solved by getting in my books, and non-verbal communication can be improved by slowing down and taking my time with things. There’s no rush, and the game can’t go on without the ref anyway. If it takes three extra seconds to do something right, it’s worth it.

All in all, though, I held my own well enough. My partners seemed okay with my performance, all things considered, and one of the officials slated to do the varsity game after mine told me at halftime that he thought I looked like I fit in. My anxiety wasn’t too bad, and I felt fairly in control most of the night. I know I missed some calls, and some of my out-of-bounces decisions were guesses made with outward confidence. I only called one foul, although the game was not very physical, and I genuinely felt like I saw very few the entire contest. My whistle was seemingly strong enough, and my mechanics felt pretty good. Compared to where I was in my first scrimmage, I have drastically improved, which is very encouraging.

Now for the best part: I received a check in the mail for the youth work I did, and at the school that hosted the junior varsity game, they pay with a check upfront. So, I have officially started making money as a ref, and soon I’ll be rolling in ref bucks. Well, maybe not rolling. More like Twister-ing.

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