This week, our referee friend Tim McLean with over 35 years of experience joins the show to pull back the curtain on officiating. From managing emotions and reading the game to how coaches, players, and parents can communicate better with refs, this episode offers practical insight to improve relationships—and the experience for our players.

Show Notes:

• The four parts of the game: players, coaches, fans, and referees
• What coaches misunderstand most about officiating
• Why most referees officiate for love of the game, not money
• The art vs. the science of refereeing basketball
• How officials decide when to let players play
• Reading the emotional temperature of a game
• Managing physicality as the season progresses
• Points of emphasis and how rule changes affect coaches and refs
• Officiating crews, veteran refs, and developing young officials
• How coaches should approach different officials during a game
• Why picking your battles with referees matters
• Teaching players how to talk to officials respectfully
• Preventive officiating and understanding player tendencies
• Why youth basketball is the hardest level to officiate
• The referee shortage and why officials are leaving the game
• The impact of parent and coach behavior on youth sports
• Creating better experiences for kids through mutual respect
• How coaches set the tone for players, parents, and the gym

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