About referees

Marin Sedlacek
FIBA coach instructor

Here is my opinion: I can begin by explaining that from my early age when I was involved in basketball, referees were more like teachers on the court, and were the second most important factor on the court for players, after of course the coach.

These people were protectors of the rules and also teachers who could help you to play better and in an easier way. In addition they were at that time, some of the most respected people.

In the junior level games, this respect was built for the future as many young players and referees would be together then, and in the future each with their own paths. These referees or people in ‘grey’, didn’t use technical fouls for protection. In fact the reverse was true, they used the rules to protect the integrity of the game which in turn earned respect.

Also, they came to team practices to referee the scrimmages and sometimes to they practiced together with us players. The relationships were built so that we helped each-other.

Today, we have professional referees and professional leagues. We have big budget clubs and ambitious presidents, crazy fans and maybe too much police present in the games. This is a big difference and a big influence on everything in our normal life.

But which of these things mentioned contain the best qualities…?

At first they made a bank of knowledge which consisted of respect, relationships, self-control, sense for game, and an understanding of the mentality of the players they needed to control.

If you know the rules on paper it doesn\'t mean that you are the best. To have a sense or understanding of the game, will allow you to improve more. You can improve more this way than just from the book. Respect and relationships come with knowledge of when you must be number 1 on the court and equally when you must stay in the shadows of a game.

In my opinion the best officials are those who have the same level of officiating throughout the game, not looking on the scoreboard or at the expectation from the supervisors, fans or coaches.

One other very important factor for me, is whether you ever played basketball, even with friends. Why is this important? Because you need to have feeling for calls according to the TEMPO of a game. Relationships with coaches are also a factor. If the referees are okay with the coaches, and the coaches are okay with the referees – does this mean friendship? Yes or no?

Both sides deserve respect because they are on the same mission, – the game of basketball.

Of course the difference is that coaches want to win and referees are looking for an easy game, which means one coach will not be the winning one, or the referee’s decisions may not be as easy as the last game.

HELP is the right word for both sides - they need to help each other. In which way? Leading the game in the right way from two different sides, or roads but with the same finish line. They need to arrive on that finish line at the same time, at the end of the game.

Problems can also come from the players. Players are the reason that the game exists, and this can dangerous for both sides (coaches and referees!), but if they are on the same line/rules/ then the conflicts will not come in the same, or maybe at all!

Communication in the game is obligatory but at the same time individual personalities must be respected – which both sides deserve. I can also say FEELING...but with the respect of the mentality of the culture which brings different nations together in the game. Whoever pass that test, have a chance to become the BEST-on both sides.

Finally I must go back and say that at the beginning of my coaching career, many coaches went on courses for referees (including myself!), because they wanted to learn the game. I never heard that any referee went on course for coaches (at least not many!)………………………….Maybe that’s part of the secret of relationships!