This is just a reminder that Metro games scheduled for tonight are ON! School tomorrow has been called off, which will mean all activities will be off, as well. But please on reporting for your games tonight, as scheduled.

Thank you!

Justin Albrecht

402-630-3948

After receiving feedback from Metro Conference Athletic Directors, it is apparent we are missing out on opportunities to interact with Coaches during our lower level games.

Before every Varsity contest, we meet with Coaches and captains. Why don’t we do that before lower level games? It was a valid question, and one we would like our lower level officials to practice over the final weeks of the season.

At the very least, walk over and shake the hands of the coaches before the game. Ask them if they have checked the scorebook, are all their players’ correct numbers in the book, what about the starters, and if all of their players are properly equipped?

These are questions we go over for every varsity contest. When any of these steps are skipped, that is when we seem to have problems. And, you might find that shaking a coach’s hand and introducing yourself and your partner, might help relieve a little tension before the game ever starts.

Any communication is a good thing. And any game that runs smoothly is a better game for everyone involved.

**There are many opportunities for our NBO officials in the coming weeks, but possibly none busier than next weekend, February 6-7. Besides Metro games, both varsity and lower level, Omaha Sports Academy is also hosting its largest weekend of the winter. OSA assignor Brent Robinson has over 400 games next Saturday and Sunday. Over 250 on Saturday alone. If you want to work more games, contact Brent via text at 402-618-2859.

We are now almost two full weeks into the regular season and I wanted to post some notes to clarify some situations and to once again go over our procedures for Nebraska Basketball Officials. Overall, I am very pleased with the beginning of the season. I want to say “Great Job,” to all of you for your efforts so far.

Even with that said, however, I truly believe we can be even better!!! I hope these notes will benefit all of you as the season moves along.

First of all, I am asking all of you to be on time! Remember, our guidelines are you arrive ONE HOUR early for varsity contests and 30 MINUTES early for lower level contests. There are no excuses for being repeatedly late. I have informed Athletic Directors at the schools and my Referees in the leadership committee to inform me when officials do not meet these requirements. If you cannot be on time, you will lose games. Plain and simple!

Secondly, please respect your fellow officials when you are a member of a crew. Communicate. Be on time. Be a team. I understand some of you may want to bring family members to games. I have no issues with that. But the locker room before the game is not a place to bring your children. Do not inconvenience your partners by bringing others into the locker room. Arrive early, dress, and be prepared to do a good pre-game with your partners. Let’s be as professional as possible from the time you arrive at your destination until you leave.

Third, please confirm with the school administrators and your partners when you plan to arrive for your scheduled game. So far, we appear to be doing a better job with this. Let’s not get lax as the season goes on. You should email the host school athletic director or their designated contact at least two days before your scheduled game. Copy the email to your partners so they know when you will be there, as well. This also applies to the lower level games.

I want to clarify one new point of emphasis this year: enforcing illegal contact on a free thrower. Players positioned along the free throw lane are allowed into the lane at release of the free throw, however, they are not allowed to cross the free throw line, enter the semi-circle, and make incidental contact with the free throw shooter until the ball touches the backboard or the basket. If they do so, this is a VIOLATION and a delayed-violation signal is used. If the free throw is successful, the violation is ignored. If the free throw is missed, award another free throw. We prefer to handle this as a violation unless EXCESSIVE CONTACT is made! Normally, if excessive contact is made, it would come either simultaneous to the ball touching the backboard or the basket. In this case, a personal foul would be called.

I want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday season. The Varsity Metro Holiday Tournament begins this Saturday and I want to congratulate all of those officials who received assignments for the tournament. There are also going to be a number of lower level officiating opportunities over the holidays, as well.

Please feel free to email either myself or lower level assignor Justin Albrecht with questions at any time. I have listed our email addresses below.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Nebraska Basketball Officials.

Al Monaco

monaco.nbo@gmail.com

Justin Albrecht

albrecht.nbo@gmail.com

This is just a reminder to print out and bring with you the NSAA Part 1, Open Book test. We will not have print outs available at the meeting. Thank you!

NBO

This is a reminder of the Pre-Season Nebraska Basketball Officials meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7 pm at the Omaha Burke High School Lecture Hall. This meeting will give officials one final chance to pay their yearly dues if they have not already done so. We will also go over protocol for all varsity and lower level contests for the upcoming season. The cost to register with NBO is $50. It can be paid by either check or cash.

A review of the NSAA Part 1 (Open Book) test will also be gone over at the meeting.

Please remember, if you have registered with the NSAA, you must watch the Online Rules Presentation by tomorrow, November 11, if you want to take advantage of the free viewing period. After Wednesday evening at Midnight, there is a charge to watch the presentation.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening at 7 pm at Omaha Burke High School.

Al Monaco, Varsity Assignor, NBO

Justin Albrecht, Lower Level Assignor, NBO

We are in need of officials this Saturday morning at either 8,9 or 10,11 for the Creighton Prep Varsity League. Please email Al Monaco at monaco.nbo@gmail.com if you have time available this Saturday morning for a two-game set. This is an excellent opportunity to work varsity-level games in a controlled environment.

This is a reminder of tonight’s supplemental meeting to allow officials to register and pay their 2015-2016 dues for Nebraska Basketball Officials. The meeting will begin at 8:15 p.m., in conjunction with the annual Tip Off meeting for Omaha Sports Academy basketball officials at OSA.

A supplemental meeting to allow officials to register and pay their 2015-2016 dues for Nebraska Basketball Officials will be held Wednesday evening, September 30, at 8:15 pm, in conjunction with the annual Tip Off meeting for Omaha Sports Academy basketball officials at OSA.

The Creighton Prep Varsity Fall League begins Saturday, September 19 at Creighton Prep High School. Games are scheduled to begin at 8 am each Saturday morning.

Officials interested in working the games should email Nebraska Basketball Officials Assignor Al Monaco at monaco.nbo@gmail.com. Be specific on dates and times you are available to work. We will work as many games in 3-man crews as possible.

Also, if you have not yet done so, you need to register with NBO as soon as possible if you want to officiate Varsity contests this winter. There is an application form on this website. Please fill it out and mail it with your $50 registration fee to the address listed on the application.

For further information, or if you have questions, please email Monaco at monaco.nbo@gmail.com.