Congratulations Mr. Terry Lee

FHSAA Hall of Fame

2025 Basketball Kickoff Meeting

Mid-Florida Officials’ Association

Basketball Directors:

Terry Lee (Central)

luckyone32618@yahoo.com

Darrin Williams (North)

deewill352@gmail.com

Ronnie Risby (South)

ronrisby@hotmail.com

President: Al Summers

Vice President: Troy Newsome

Treasurer: Jeff Pole

Secretary: Bob Leahy

September 22, 2025

Welcome!!!

2025 Basketball Study Session #1

Mid-Florida Officials’ Association

September 22, 2025

Getting Back to the Basics!!

Important Dates

Mid-Florida Officials’ Association

Getting Back to the Basics!!!

• Uniform
• Contracts
• Preparation
• Conduct and Ethics
• Physical
• Conditioning
• Game Control
• Communications
• Handling Coaches
• General Reminders
• Rules Fundamentals

EXPECTATIONS of All Officials

Your uniform should always be clean and neat. It should consist of the following items:

• A black and white V-neck striped shirt that has 1” stripes. The black side panel version).
• The FHSAA emblem must be displayed in the left pocket area.
• Black pants. If a belt is worn, it shall be solid black.
• Black shoes.
• Black socks.
• Fox 40 whistle with black lanyard.
• Black warm-up jacket with approval from the association and FHSAA.

Uniform

Contracts

See the current FHSAA Officials Guidebook for more information.

• Officials in Florida are considered independent contractors.
• Officials arrange their own schedules either through a school, league, or an assignor.
• You should have a contract (written or electronic) for all dates you are to officiate and these contracts should be completed in advance of all contests.
• Contracts should provide you with all of the needed information - Date, time, and location.
• Gender and level of competition.
• The FHSAA issues invitations for all post-season tournament assignments.

Preparation

Preparation + Opportunity = Success

• Join a local association and remain a “Member in Good Standing”.
• Become integrated into the training program of your local association(s).
• Attend the association meetings and regularly independently study the rules.
• Rules knowledge is invaluable but if applied in its strictest sense, this will not lead to successful officiating.

Preparation

Preparation + Opportunity = Success

• Knowing the rules, but applying them with a common sense approach will make you a better official.
• Learn the required mechanics and proper positioning which is often the main ingredient in making the correct call.
• Putting you in the right place at the right time looking at the right thing.
• Successful passing the FHSAA online basketball exam with a 76% or better.

CONDUCT AND ETHICS

• When you sign up to officiate, you are taking an oath to uphold the integrity of the game and to keep the playing court level for both teams.
• You need to dedicate yourself to this end, while at all times handling yourself in a professional manner.

CONDUCT AND ETHICS

• Get to your game early (suggested one hour prior to the starting time). Do not be scrambling in at the last minute.
• Be neatly dressed upon arrival, and, when possible, dress in the proper uniform in the privacy of the dressing facilities provided.
• Treat players and coaches like you would like to be treated.
• Show poise and self control.
• Control your temper – even when coaches, players, and fans do not.
• Use a common sense approach to your officiating.
• Be courteous and considerate – yet be firm and decisive when the situation calls for it.
• Show courage in tough situations when having to make the tough call.

Physical Conditioning

• The players are in their best physical condition; to officiate at the highest level.
• Therefore, you must also be in good physical condition.
• Varsity games usually last an hour and a half with the most vital times being the last two minutes of each half.
• This is the time when your physical conditioning is most needed.
• If you are tired and perform poorly in these last minute situations, all the good officiating that you have done in the other 28 minutes of game time will be forgotten.
• Games at a level lower than varsity still deserve officials capable of “keeping up with the game”.
• Never “take a night off”, give the appearance that you’re “dogging it”.
• Do not resort to shortcuts on the floor out of desperation, laziness, or to compensate for the lack of physical conditioning.

Physical Conditioning

• Do not use the beginning of the season to get in shape.
• Use the preseason to get in shape for the beginning of the season.
• Limit yourself to only the level of games and the number of contests that you can reliably and respectably officiate, given your state of physical conditioning and abilities, and your knowledge and skill level.
• Better to do fewer games well than more games increasingly poorly.

Game Control

You will have a better chance at a smooth game if you...

• Communicate with players and coaches (keep them informed), answering questions when asked.
• But don’t go “hanging out in front of the benches”, giving the appearance that you’re begging for unnecessary conversation with the coaches.
• Use preventive officiating, preventing problems by tactful words spoken at the right time to the right players.
• Eliminate any and all “derogatory comments” between teams. • Have sharp, clear, and strong whistles!
• Make decisive decisions and maintain good, confident body language.

Communications

In all aspects of the game, communication creates confidence in the crew from all involved.

Some tips to remember are....

• Communicate with players both the good things as well as problems.
• Be especially verbal with players in dead ball situations in keeping the game under control.
• Work with the captains closely if dealing with problem players.
• Communicate with coaches and do your best to keep them informed.
• For example, when you are having a problem with a certain player, say to the coach “I am having some problems with #15, could you please help me”.
• However, do not fraternize with coaches, players, or fans at any time before, during, or after the game.
• Communicate within your crew constantly!

Some examples of good communication are....

• Time and situations as we are near the end of a period.
• Player count before the ball is put into play following substitutions or time outs.
• Build a good rapport with your table help......timer, scorers, and announcer.
• Treat these people with respect as they are part of the game administration crew.

Communications

Handling Coaches

• You will do well with coaches if you communicate with them and provide answers to reasonable questions.
• Sometimes this requires your maximum patience.
• Always look to diffuse situations rather than incite them!
• Often, your best means of communicating is to LISTEN first and respond only to questions from the head coach (assistant coaches may not address officials).

Approved Signals Only

• The only signals that are to be used are those found in the current NFHS rule book, case book, and Officials Manual.
• Never make up your own signals!
• Officials must understand and only use the approved mechanics.
• Proper court coverage requires a system of good mechanics to ensure officials will be at the proper place on the court at all times.

3 levels of Officiating

REMEMBER THIS:

WE CAN’T GO BACK

WE CAN’T STAY HERE

WE MUST MOVE FORWARD !!

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Thanks for joining!!!!

2025 Basketball Study Session #1

Mid-Florida Officials’ Association

September 22, 2025