How to Become an NBA Referee
With the NBA playoffs in full gear, a lot of people wonder how they can get a NBA related job. While it’s not easy getting such a job, one exciting field that many don’t consider is refereeing. Becoming an NBA referee is a difficult task, but it’s possible if you have the dedication and the willingness to pay your dues.
The first thing you want to do if you want to become a basketball ref is to go to a referee school. There are a number of camps and clinics that provide beginner, intermediate and expert tips. ProBasketballRefs.com and Officiating.com are two very good resources if you are looking for camps or clinics in your area.
Once you learn the ropes, you will likely have to start at the bottom of the ladder. Many professional refs started out by refereeing rec leagues and church leagues – and oftentimes for little or no pay. Once you get comfortable with your refereeing skills, you can begin to climb the ladder.
The most difficult aspect of becoming a professional basketball ref is the dedication required. It usually takes years to climb up one step on the ladder. For example, if you are a ref in a rec league, it’ll likely take you a couple years to go to the high school level. Once you are at the high school level, it’ll take even more years before you move up to the college level. However, if you stay dedicated and you remain willing to learn your craft, there’s really no limit to what you can achieve on the basketball court as a referee.
And make sure you don’t take bets on games or you’ll end up like Tim Donaghy.
Tags: basketball jobs, employment, jobs, nba jobs, referrees, tim donaghy
