New Officials have a very difficult time taking in the mass amounts of information, deadlines, instructions, directions, training materials, new faces and many other things that will change your life on and off the court. You never realize the number of schools there are in and around Lowndes County, or Georgia for that matter, until you begin Officiating. Schools nestled in the middle of small neighborhoods, gymnasiums that are difficult to find because it's dark outside. Which street entrance is the gym located? What do I need to take with me to work a game?

This section covers some of the areas and situations that you will encounter as a new Official. It takes a dedicated, responsible individual to become an Official. Sure the money is great, but before the dough rolls in, get yourself organized and prepare to satisfy a GHSA schedule that could last about 10 weeks, but flies by very fast. Most Officials have a day job, a family, and its holiday time, which makes us all very busy.

Requirements of a new Official are basically the same for all Officials.

Amongst a few of the attributes:
• A good attitude
• Attendance at meetings
• Rules knowledge
• A clean, well fitting uniform
• In good physical condition

There is much learning to be done to become a good official and an "I want to learn all I can and work games with the proper mechanics and technique" attitude is a good first step. Since we have two ears and one mouth, it is best to listen when a veteran official critiques your work on the basketball court. It is mandatory to attend all meetings and listen to the wealth of knowledge that your instructors have experienced throughout their officiating careers.

You will receive rulebooks and manuals. Study these materials. All officials are required to complete a 100-question test before the season starts and pass it with an 85% efficiency. Keep your books with you as much as possible.

Have extra five minutes or so? Get your rule book(s) out and skim through the sections. Something interesting is on every page!

Uniforms
An official needs something to wear. Fortunately, Officials are required to wear a uniform. It must be neat, altered, and properly cared for at all times.

The following can be used as a guideline:
• Black and white striped "v-necked" Official's shirt - Start off with at least 2 or 3 shirts. Wash them with care (Woolite or special handling), preferably by themselves. Dry on a low setting, or hang dry. Be careful when ironing these shirts (Iron inside out) to prevent "iron marks".
• Black or white (personal preference) v-neck undershirt - Do not wear a shirt underneath that bear visible logo's or designs. It looks tacky!
• Black polyester dress slacks, not a cotton or cotton blend material (Dockers), not a nylon warm-up pant - These should fit like a professional pair of dress slacks. Get them altered so they fit you well; measure the length with the shoes you will be working in. Sansabelt slacks (same as black polyester) work well, no belt is needed. If you do get slacks that have belt loops, a black belt with a small buckle is preferred. Belts should be ordered from an officiating supply house, and not come from your closet. Slacks should fit properly, and never be baggy or too tight. It is recommended that you not order slacks from a catalogue or magazine unless you know exactly what size you are. Retail stores (Sears, J.C. Penny, Belk's) usually have Hagar, Sansabelt, or similar appropriate pants in stock so that you may try them on. You may need more than one pair since these pants are better maintained if you dry clean/press them. A pair in the cleaners, a pair in the closet.
• Black "Bike" shorts or long black tights - These are the tight garments worn underneath your slacks so no one is surprised by anything. Also referred to as compression shorts.
• Black basketball officiating shoes - Absolutely no "white" coloring, logos, or stripes of any sort. Solid Black, well shined is acceptable.
• Black socks - About 6 pairs will do.
• A black whistle - A Fox 40 is the whistle of choice.
• Black lanyard (or a “smitty lanyard”) - A Smitty will hook to your V-Neck Officials shirt.
• The official SABOA jacket, with no logo - No Blue jackets.
• Black official's bag - Solid black without colored logos. You should keep the following in your bag at all times:
  • Fresh Towel for showering
  • Liquid soap or travel size soap bars
  • Back up whistle & lanyard
  • Rule Books
  • Your GHSA Schedule
  • A few pairs of black socks (back-up)
  • Shoe Shine Polish
  • Plastic Zip-Lock Baggies (to keep loose items together)
  • Lotion (be careful of "pump" style lotions -- they can leak)
  • Pre-game conference

Your official's bag should be fair sized with a few compartments to store odds and ends. Your bag should be personally inventoried prior to leaving your home. The items above should not be taken out of your bag (except for the Towel) to ensure that you have everything that you need. Travel sizes of toiletries work well.