#389 30 Big Tips for all Basketball Officials | feat. Sampson Brue | Mental Performance Coach

1. ​ Be a Good Person: Build your foundation on character—be trustworthy, disciplined, and determined.

1. ​ Be Coachable and Teachable:

• ​ Coachable: Apply feedback immediately and make adjustments in real-time.

• ​ Teachable: Be a lifelong student of the game, mastering both rules and mechanics.

1. ​ Master Mechanics: Know where to be, when to be there, and what to focus on to ensure accurate play-calling.

1. ​ Understand the 3Ps: Presence, poise, and personality demonstrate strength, confidence, and command on the court.

1. ​ Prioritize Fitness: Maintain physical readiness to stay in position, allowing for better judgment and play-calling.

1. ​ Referee the Defense: Focus on defensive positioning and actions; use the 70/30 principle to allocate attention (70% on defense, 30% on offense).

1. ​ Receive Plays: Position yourself to see the play develop fully, improving accuracy and avoiding guesswork.

1. ​ Work on Your 3 Whistles:

• ​ Immediate Whistles: Address clear fouls and violations promptly.

• ​ Patient Whistles: Allow plays to start, develop, and finish before making a call.

• ​ Cadence Whistles: Use appropriate timing when stepping into another official’s primary area.

1. ​ Build Clock Awareness: Always be aware of the game and shot clock to ensure smooth gameplay.

1. ​ Use Mental Imagery: Visualize yourself officiating high-stakes games to prepare mentally and emotionally.

1. ​ Adopt an Elite Mindset: Focus on continuous improvement, positivity, and overcoming challenges with confidence.

1. ​ Be Consistent: Deliver consistent rulings and maintain credibility game to game, team to team.

1. ​ Communicate Effectively: Listen attentively, understand others’ perspectives, and respond appropriately to players and coaches.

1. ​ Be Fair and Firm: Balance authority with approachability, maintaining control while being respectful.

1. ​ Emphasize Rule Knowledge: Know the rulebook thoroughly, focusing on rules that commonly arise in gameplay (e.g., block/charge, violations, free throws).

1. ​ Develop Clock Management Skills: Anticipate and adjust for clock errors to prevent unnecessary disruptions.

1. ​ Leverage the 80/20 Principle: Focus on the most critical aspects of preparation for the greatest impact.

1. ​ Create Habits of Excellence: Establish routines that support long-term growth and remove bad habits that hinder progress.

1. ​ Foster Leadership: Lead by example, value your crew, and build strong relationships with players, coaches, and partners.

1. ​ Maintain a Growth Mindset: Always aim to improve, embrace feedback, and remain open to new learning opportunities.

1. ​ Focus on Teamwork: Trust your partners and work together to cover all areas of the court effectively.

1. ​ Understand Your PCA (Primary Coverage Area): Know what you are responsible for in both two-person and three-person mechanics.

1. ​ Stay Humble and Authentic: Acknowledge mistakes, maintain integrity, and be genuine in your approach to officiating.

1. ​ Study and Reflect: Regularly review your performance, take notes post-game, and implement improvements.

1. ​ Engage in Pregame and Postgame Discussions: Collaborate with your crew before and after games to align on strategy and review performance.

1. ​ Develop