1.  Some general thoughts before we start.  Try to find out something from each member of the camp staff.  Not the proper mechanic or signal. Rather try to learn about how they think their way through a game.  Example; non officiating  Football – Tom Osborne Nebraska Football Boise State 2008 Fiesta Bowl

2.  Example; officiating – catchy one liners used by veteran officials. They usually aren’t said the way the official tells you. (Embellishment)  Rather try and understand the thought process of an experienced official  Camps are a great way to get experience without the frustration of regular season games

3.  Your Inner Officiating Voice(s)  When you are in a game your mind is constantly evaluating plays, players, coaches, your partner(s) and regrettably in some cases the crowd  One voice is from you’re the right half of your brain. It is the creative side. Sometimes it empowers you to rise to the challenge; sometimes it convinces you that you can do no wrong-potential trouble

4.  The left side of your brain is the logical half. It knows the rules, evaluates risks and rewards and at times can get you through tough situations by reasoning out a proper course of action  At other times it can overanalyze and in essence rob you of the courage needed to make the right call (not the big call)

5.  During the camp the staff will be these “voices” – left and right  At times imploring you to let the right side of your brain give you the courage to step up when needed  At times shutting down the right side because you think the game is about you – IT’S NOT

6.  At times they will act as the left side of your brain  Trying to guide you through the complexities of a game  At other times they will try and limit that the left side because the game needed a leader and you didn’t answer the challenge  That is what camps are for  WHY?

7.  Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. - Vernon Saunders Law

8.  Video Analysis  Some calls are missed due to positioning errors  Structural – official doesn’t understand the mechanics – you’ll see very little of this in the video  Individual – official is in the proper position relative to the play but is not observing the correct part or sequence of the play. “Get an open look”- you’ll see this at times

9.  Occasionally something happens out of the normal context of the game. A post player steps out and shoots a 3. Not very often  However experience is often the cure for this.  However on most missed plays …  Officials will often tell the evaluator that they “lost focus” or they passed on the play for a variety of reasons.

10.  I respectfully disagree with these responses.  In my humble opinion when officials don’t pop the whistle it is because they are worried about the consequences.  In a nutshell at that moment in time they lose their COURAGE  Their left brain is dominating the right side and has incorrectly concluded that a non call is the best path

11.  You’re here to find a balance between logic and courage  Good luck - the journey won’t always be easy; Really it shouldn’t be!  Basketball officiating is more art than science  Like art beauty is in the eye of the beholder  You need to accept that not everyone will love your “art” – but like any great artist you need to accept valid criticism and use it to improve not to become withdrawn or even malevolent