MACBOA: Newsletter - Issue 18, October 2001

I want to welcome our new officials, observers, athletic directors and coaches to MACBOA and thank everyone who attended the MACBOA Clinic on September 23.

I also want to thank Prince George's Community College for hosting our Clinic and am very appreciative of or sponsors for their kind generosity.

a. All MACBOA officials are required to take and pass periodic tests. The first test "NCAA Rules Test" will be uploaded onto the MACBOA website effective October 7, 2001. You may access the test by entering the MACBOA website at www.macboa.org then clicking on "FORMS" and then "HTML Version" to "NCAA Rules Test." Each test must be returned to the Supervisor of Officials no later than "Nine Days" from the posting date! Please READ your MACBOA Agreement/Contract.

b. All excuses for late paperwork, late getting to meeting/clinic, and "last minute phone calls" with excuses concerning clinic absenteeism will be noted and dealt with appropriately!!

d. Please "ALL Division I and Division II officials" get your open dates to me ASAP, thanks! Effective Oct. 8th, I'm starting to work on schedules.

f. Don't call the office line after 10:00 p.m., this also includes not calling Mr. Willie Jones' residence after 10:00 p.m. Exceptions: Game-related problems, fights, Coach/Player ejections, family or employment emergency!

I'm looking forward to a successful 2001-02 season. If you have any questions and need clarification on any issues, please contact me at 301-283-6807 or via e-mail at dgray@macboa.org.

Contributing Article: Responding to Effects of Traumatic Events (Ike Relacion)

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the tragic events at the World Trade Center, rural Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon shocked us all and will have a lasting effect on our lives.

We are deeply affected by the tragedy that has taken place in our nation. Our prayers and thoughts are with all who have been touched by these devastating events. Some of us may have lost loved ones. We may know one or more of the many brave men and women who are risking their lives to help in the rescue efforts, and worry for their safety. At the very least, we feel a deep shock and sadness that such terrible acts have been committed against humanity.

I would like to provide some information about responding to the effects of the great disaster which took place in New York City, Washington, DC, and rural Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. Please keep in mind that each person reacts to trauma in a different manner and that these reactions may change over time. However, some typical responses to this type of tragedy may include the following:

Listed below are some basic strategies that may be useful in helping you cope with this experience:

In the hours and days following such a tragedy, the shock may begin to wear off and more feelings may emerge, such as sadness and anger. It is important to share these feelings with people that you trust. For some people, the level of feelings or the kinds of questions that emerge may indicate that additional counseling support would be helpful. Below are some additional guidelines for determining whether to seek professional counseling:

If you are experiencing any of these circumstances or just wish to talk to someone for additional support, please do not hesitate to contact your health care professional, colleague, a member of the clergy, a colleague, a medical or mental health professional, or family and friends.

foul is a foul, is a foul, is a foul…. Through an entire basketball season, a basketball official should remain committed to calling fouls based exclusively on the literal aspect of the rules. For example, the fouls called by an official during the State vs. Tech game in December should be of the same type and quantity he calls during the State vs. Central game in January. That defines true consistency in officiating. An official's preparation for, and performance during an assignment on Monday (received from Supervisor Smith), should be no different from his assignment on Saturday (received from Supervisor Brown). After all, basketball supervisors demand and expect their officials to perform as cookie-cutters for each league. An official's approach to, and teamwork with his officiating partners during a non-conference assignment in November should mirror that of his effort with different partners during a conference assignment in February. Officials can expect their fellow officials to perform in a standard fashion; individuality is irrelevant when the game begins.

Basketball officiating is relatively easy and straightforward, with no plausible reasons for an official to alter his officiating style and approach for each assignment, league (supervisor), and assigned crewmembers. To do so would be uncivilized! Adapting to each assignment would undoubtedly require too much effort and lead to inconsistencies, right?

Wrong!!! Basketball officials who agree with the above hogwash are also likely under the mindset in believing they can purchase oceanfront property off Lake Erie! In other words, they just don't get it. Furthermore, they are doing a disservice to the sport, their supervisor, and their fellow officials - and are destined for failure as basketball officials. Yes, that' a strong comment, but no use sugar-coating the issue. To succeed in basketball officiating - indeed, to survive - a basketball official must be able to adapt to his surroundings (e.g., players, coaches, supervisor, assigned crewmembers), for each game. Players DO have different abilities; coaches DO have different demeanors; supervisors DO have different philosophies; and officials DO have different styles and skills. Prior to each assignment, a basketball official should be aware of the distinct challenges that await him, make the essential mental adjustments, and be prepared to officiate in a manner that will best facilitate that contest. The most successful and enduring basketball officials are those that vary their approach to each assignment based on the intangibles. By no means is it always easy to do; however, basketball officials will gain increased credibility and acceptance by mastering an ability to adapt to each assignment. How can a promising basketball official best learn to modify his approach to and performance for each assignment, based on the wide-ranging intangibles of players, coaches, supervisors, and officials? Gaining increased experience and learning from veteran officials are the primary means, but another method exists that is insightful and intriguing, yet far from ordinary. This much is clear: a basketball official certainly cannot find it in a mechanics manual!

What is it? Well, this unorthodox source of learning focuses on the study and understanding of a unique, obscure creature from the animal kingdom that is able to adapt to its surroundings based upon various environmental, emotional, and/or biological factors. A basketball official, too, must be able to adjust; albeit based on various game factors (e.g., players, coaches, supervisors, assigned crewmembers). Which "creature," and from which category within the animal kingdom? Can it be that successful basketball officials have the presence of a mammal, such as a powerful stallion; or the elegance of a bird, such as the menacing eagle; or the prowess of an amphibian, such as a ferocious Tiger Shark? No, not quite. Rather, a truly successful basketball official has the veracity of a figure so mighty that it stymies third parties, the aura of a supreme creature so uplifting that it provides comfort to all that bear witness, the vigilance of a being so perceptive that it identifies and exterminates situations before they become problems, and an innate ability to "step up" when needed where no one questions their authority. Unquestionably, the most gifted, efficient, and otherwise suitable basketball official has the dynamic accord of none other than that of a (drum roll, please): Chameleon.

I, too, can hear Dr. Naismith rolling in his grave! A Chameleon? Why on earth would a basketball official choose to emulate an abstruse creature such as a chameleon? For the benefit of those of us that slept during high school biology class, let's study the characteristics of the chameleon then review how a basketball official can apply their relative meaning in fulfilling their officiating responsibilities - as never before!

lthough at first glance these creatures can seem odd, hideous, or even gross, learning more about these animals unleashes their unique beauty and fascinating qualities. Chameleons (pronounced, ke-me'le en) are reptiles with independently moving eyes, feet molded into what appears to be two toes per foot, a prehensile tail and generally have a flat body shape. Some species look like little monsters from a child's worst nightmare, like Brookesia perarmata with its horns and extremely cryptic appearance, while others like the Jackson's Chameleon, Chamaeleo jacksonii, look like a triceratops from the time of the dinosaurs. In many cultures, these creatures are considered evil and often said to carry with them a curse. Due to this belief, many natives will not touch or bother a chameleon, although in many areas, you can find them for sale in local markets both alive and dead. The dead animals are sometimes used as healers or to get rid of a curse. In the U.S., chameleons have increased in popularity as thousands of Americans have adopted them for pets, and several chameleon fan clubs and websites have emerged, promoting the care and understanding of the animal.

Chameleon is the common name for certain lizards that are well known for their ability to change colors, sometimes very rapidly. Their mystical ways of changing color have always been intriguing. When chameleons change color, they do it for a reason, including when it's frightened or under stress, to alter its body temperature, when another chameleon or animal is nearby, during breeding, or because of changes in light, temperature, and other environmental changes. Hormones that affect certain pigment-containing cells in their skin are the source of the color changes. Contrary to popular belief, their color doesn't always change to match its surroundings. Many people think that they do this to camouflage, but in fact, they normally change their skin color according to their feelings. Most chameleons are plain in color unless they are excited. That is when you will see their most brilliant colors. If a chameleon is too hot, it may take on a bleached color and this indicates it is suffering from heat stress. Some chameleons assume the background color of the site they occupy--a tree trunk or a leaf, for example. Under special circumstances of temperature and surface conditions, a chameleon can even have one-half of its body totally brown and the other half green. However, though they appear to mimic their surroundings, they are in fact responding to temperature, not color.

Basketball officials also have the capacity to "mimic their surroundings," from which they can make meaningful decisions. Key factors impacting the thought process of basketball officials while officiating include the abilities of players, demeanors of coaches, philosophies of supervisors, and styles/skills of their assigned crew members. Let's review these four categories, and explore why adjusting to each of them, i.e., adapting, makes sense.

Basketball officials should have a keen understanding of the unwritten "spirit and intent" of the rules. Coupled with common sense and good judgment, this understanding sets the foundation for basketball games to be officiated in a fair and non-literalistic manner. When focusing on the abilities of players, basketball officials should realize that players have disparate advantages/disadvantages against different opponents. For example, a player may be matched against an equal (in size and ability) opponent during one game then have a clear advantage over his opponent (again, in size and ability) in a following game. An official (when seeing the player multiple times) should recognize this, and adjust his foul-calling based on the advantages and disadvantages for each match-up, though not "protecting" the player. Also, officials should alter their communication techniques to temper the personality of players, as appropriate. Adjusting to Players is a must!

At many levels, coaching basketball is a vocation, which implies livelihoods are at stake. Job security, pressures of coaching a fast-paced sport, and enduring a competitive selection process cause coaches to conduct themselves from a broad array of styles. Coaches have different idiosyncrasies (e.g., styles, attitudes, and demeanors) that require officials to conform to a style that fosters a constructive and professional relationship. Each relationship is different. Coaches have different understanding/interpretations of the rules, expectations of officials, attitudes toward opposing teams/coaches, mannerisms, and ambitions. One similarity: coaches want officials to acknowledge them; a brief explanation during a dead ball (with the opposing coach being invited), discreet comment along the sideline, or, merely a head-nod, will suffice. A coach may be enduring a losing season, coming off a tough loss, without a star player, or affected by any series of unique circumstances, which an official should be conscious of. Adjusting to Coaches is a must!

As a minimum, basketball supervisors should be respected for their position and authority. Most are either former officials or coaches with a multitude of experience and knowledge of why, based on ever-evolving changes to the game, some rules and mechanics become modified. There is one set of rules and mechanics; however, basketball supervisors may have varying interpretations as to how and when certain rules are enforced, and envision court coverage from slightly different points of view. Basketball officials should be acutely aware of additional guidelines, quirks, or peculiar "do's and don'ts" attributable to each basketball supervisor. Examples include, working "deeper" when in the "C" position, "R'" confirming with the umpires prior to each assignment, or simply wearing a coat and tie to/from each game site. The philosophies or expectations of supervisors may seem trivial, but they should be duly noted and adhered to. If not, the non-conforming basketball official risks the obvious. Adjusting to Basketball Supervisors is a must!

Basketball officials hail from all reaches of society with assorted physical abilities, primary vocations, aspirations, family lives, attitudes, experience levels, officiating styles and skills - features that result in no two being exactly alike. There are similarities, but like any group of individuals, officials are as diverse as can be. Yet, officials must be able to work effectively as a crew. Officials should be generally aware of the styles and skills of their officiating partners - focusing on their positives and shortcomings - which enhances a team effort. Examples include working with officials that are in their first-year, injured, introverts/extroverts, less prone to initiate rotations as the Lead, short-fused, followers, or flamboyant - the possibilities are endless. Professional relationships among basketball officials, on and off the court, should be such where friendships are continually reinforced and respect for each other' abilities are commonplace. Adjusting to Officials is a must!

s a basketball official, do what the mighty Chameleon normally does: adapt to your surroundings! This may come in the form of communicating more than usual with a particular player due to his energetic personality, tolerating (to a degree) a coach's animated behavior due to understanding his coaching style, working exceptionally hard while in the "C" as Supervisor Jones continually advises, or reaching slightly beyond your primary area due to working with less-experienced officials. A basketball official's preparation and performance should blend in with the intangibles for each game. In doing so, the "spirit and intent" of the rules are reinforced and the great game of basketball will continue to prosper.

Mr. Fred Barakat, Director of Basketball Operations for the Atlantic Coast Conference, contributed to the above article

October 6, 2001	Los Angeles Airport Marriott
October 7, 2001	Dallas Airport Marriott
October 14, 200	Chicago Airport Marriott
October 20, 2001	Atlanta Airport Marriott
October 21, 2001	Newark Airport Marriott

Women's Division I Regional Officiating Clinics

October 6, 2001	Los Angeles Airport Marriott
October 7, 2001	Dallas Airport Marriott
October 14, 2001	Newark Airport Marriott
October 20, 2001	Chicago Airport Marriott
October 21, 2001	Atlanta Airport Marriott

A. L reports foul and becomes new L opposite.
B. T moves to new T and replaces L.
C. C remains C.

A. L reports foul, switches to opposite side and becomes C.
B. T to new L on table side.
C. C to T on table side.

A. C reports foul, goes opposite side. and becomes new
B. T goes to L position, in front court.
C. L goes to new T. and puts the ball in play in back court.

For the past 19 years, the CCA Basketball Official's Manuals have included "Points of Emphasis". These are areas which have been identified as needing special attention. While they do not necessarily represent mechanics changes as such, their importance must not be overlooked.

A. OFF THE BALL SCREENING: It is imperative that the official who is working "off-the-ball" observe screens which occur away from the area of the ball. Unobserved illegal screens and illegal actions by the player being screened are frequent occurrences.

B. TRAVELING: Inconsistent adjudication of the traveling rule is a major problem in basketball. Officials must study the rule and enforce the traveling rule as written. Failure to enforce the traveling rule as written, within the spirit and intent of the rule, is a disservice to all involved in the game.

C. PRIOR TO TIP-OFF FLOOR POSITION: Prior to tip-off, the R goes across the floor to the intersection of the division line and opposite sideline while U1 and U2 assume their respective timeout positions.

In addition to the Points of Emphasis in the manual, the following Areas of Concern should be discussed during each pre-game conference by all officials. Special attention should be given to these areas during the course of each game.

A. ROUGH PLAY: This is the only Point of Emphasis approved by the Rules Committee. All basketball officials must be cognizant of the style of play and penalize all rough play by any player. Basketball is a game of finesse and skill, not rough play.

B. CONTACT AWAY FROM THE BALL: Illegal contact which prohibits a player from reaching a desired spot on the playing court must be called hand checking, holding or blocking. These illegal acts include forearm pressure, grasping an opponent or his uniform, kneeing, holding, pressure by leaning on an opponent with the body and bumping the cutter.

C. THROW-IN SPOT: Be certain to put the ball in play at the correct throw-in spot. Refer to the diagram on page 48.

D. OFFENSIVE POST PLAY: Officials must call fouls when offensive post players use either lower arm to illegally prevent an opponent from moving or when offensive post players dislodge opponents from a legally established position by "backing in."

E. DRIVING TO THE BASKET: On too many occasions when offensive players drive to the basket, officials are calling fouls on defensive players when contact is initiated by the player with the bail. Officials must not penalize defensive players in these situations when they maintain legal.

You may order 2001-02 Men's or Women's Officiating Manuals from the Collegiate Commissioners Association at (972) 422-9500.

Be the first to receive your MACBOA logo Fox-40 Classic Whistle while supplies last!
Send your payment of $5.25 for each whistle ordered to Ike Relacion, c/o MACBOA Logo Whistle, 21112 Archstone Way, Unit 101, Germantown, MD 20876-6996.

The Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA) strives to be innovative in the use of technology. MACBOA members have provided consent to publish their pictures onto the MACBOA website. The next phase would be the possibility of uploading a MACBOA Staff Directory on a secured, password- protected portion of www.macboa.org.

As a member of MACBOA, since you have consented to have your photograph appear on the MACBOA website, would you consent to uploading your name, address, phone number(s) and e-mail address on a secured password protected site of the MACBOA web site?

Our prayers go out to those who are suffering from September 11, 2001's devastating attacks in New York city, rural Pennsylvania, the Pentagon, and those who have lost family and loved ones.

Congrats to Al Battista; selected to give a Rules Clinic in South Korea on behalf of IAABO.

MACBOA welcomes and encourages news and information for the periodic newsletter. Please submit all materials to address letters of comment, article proposals and queries, or news items to:

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