In this episode of The Crown Refs Podcast, we dive into key insights for the 2025 season, breaking down the habits, mindset shifts, and game strategies that separate great officials from the rest.

Topics Covered:

✅ Stop Judging Your Partners’ Calls – Focus on your role and elevate the crew.

✅ Next Play Mentality – Stay locked in and avoid dwelling on the past.

✅ Handling Reactions – Don’t be shocked by coaches, players, or fans—stay composed.

✅ Back-to-Back Technical Fouls – When and how to manage escalating situations.

✅ Hustle is Non-Negotiable – A lack of effort will always stand negatively out.

✅ Hierarchy of the Game – Understanding the game always comes before us.

✅ Partner Communication – Effective, efficient, and professional crew conversations.

✅ Reacting vs. Responding – Mastering emotional control in high-pressure moments.

✅ Intuitive Anticipation – Seeing the play develop without and anticipating the point of contact.

💡If you’re looking to sharpen your game and level up as an official, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

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🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵 ⁣

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

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🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼l⁣

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1⁣

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🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁⁣

https://open.spotify.com/show/7Iu3X4rnet8NCgsQfiAu6a⁣

In the inaugural episode of The Dialed In Podcast, hosts Paul Diasparra and Marc Vaccaro take you on an inspiring journey through Paul’s remarkable awakening to wellness. After years of average and inconsistent progress, Paul shares the pivotal moment that transformed his health and mindset forever. Together, they unpack the exact steps Paul took to overhaul his approach to food with clean eating, the foundational role of gut health, and the game-changing effectiveness of a high-protein diet.

Penny Davis is the NCAA Women's National Coordinator of Officiating for divisions 1, 2, & 3, a position she's held since 2019.  Before that, she had an incredible 17-year division career working in such conferences as the Pac 12, West Coast, Mountain West, Western Athletic, & the Big Sky.

Penny is also fortunate enough to be in a select group of officials who have worked multiple NCAA Final Fours earning her way to the last weekend of the year in 2015 & 2018.  On top of her outstanding college career, she also spent time in the WNBA and the D-League (now the G-League.)

In this episode, we covered a lot from Penny's early beginnings to how she rose to become a final four official, her rocky first year as coordinator in a pandemic year, the importance of relationships, and some financial tips for officials.  We are super grateful to have Penny on the podcast and we hope you enjoy this episode. 

Join us as we celebrate six incredible years of podcasting and reflect on the highlights of 2024! This year has been monumental for Crown Refs, with the expansion of our global officiating community, the launch of our merch shop, and the debut of our online course designed to elevate the game for officials everywhere.

This episode features moments with some of the best in the game, including Jason Phillips, Clarence Armstrong, Sylvia Biggett, Kenny Widgeon, Randy McCall, Sampson Brue, Gerry Pollard, Brian Neale, Jess Smith, Ajay Gonnelli, Gary Vee, and, of course, the incredible Crown Refs Community.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to announce Dialed In, a brand-new health and wellness podcast born from the Crown Refs community. My partner, Marc Vaccaro, and I are on a mission to bring the same passion and value to human health and happiness as we’ve done for basketball officials.

🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

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🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

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🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼l

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1⁣

1. ​ Be a Good Person: Build your foundation on character—be trustworthy, disciplined, and determined.

1. ​ Be Coachable and Teachable:

• ​ Coachable: Apply feedback immediately and make adjustments in real-time.

• ​ Teachable: Be a lifelong student of the game, mastering both rules and mechanics.

1. ​ Master Mechanics: Know where to be, when to be there, and what to focus on to ensure accurate play-calling.

1. ​ Understand the 3Ps: Presence, poise, and personality demonstrate strength, confidence, and command on the court.

1. ​ Prioritize Fitness: Maintain physical readiness to stay in position, allowing for better judgment and play-calling.

1. ​ Referee the Defense: Focus on defensive positioning and actions; use the 70/30 principle to allocate attention (70% on defense, 30% on offense).

1. ​ Receive Plays: Position yourself to see the play develop fully, improving accuracy and avoiding guesswork.

1. ​ Work on Your 3 Whistles:

• ​ Immediate Whistles: Address clear fouls and violations promptly.

• ​ Patient Whistles: Allow plays to start, develop, and finish before making a call.

• ​ Cadence Whistles: Use appropriate timing when stepping into another official’s primary area.

1. ​ Build Clock Awareness: Always be aware of the game and shot clock to ensure smooth gameplay.

1. ​ Use Mental Imagery: Visualize yourself officiating high-stakes games to prepare mentally and emotionally.

1. ​ Adopt an Elite Mindset: Focus on continuous improvement, positivity, and overcoming challenges with confidence.

1. ​ Be Consistent: Deliver consistent rulings and maintain credibility game to game, team to team.

1. ​ Communicate Effectively: Listen attentively, understand others’ perspectives, and respond appropriately to players and coaches.

1. ​ Be Fair and Firm: Balance authority with approachability, maintaining control while being respectful.

1. ​ Emphasize Rule Knowledge: Know the rulebook thoroughly, focusing on rules that commonly arise in gameplay (e.g., block/charge, violations, free throws).

1. ​ Develop Clock Management Skills: Anticipate and adjust for clock errors to prevent unnecessary disruptions.

1. ​ Leverage the 80/20 Principle: Focus on the most critical aspects of preparation for the greatest impact.

1. ​ Create Habits of Excellence: Establish routines that support long-term growth and remove bad habits that hinder progress.

1. ​ Foster Leadership: Lead by example, value your crew, and build strong relationships with players, coaches, and partners.

1. ​ Maintain a Growth Mindset: Always aim to improve, embrace feedback, and remain open to new learning opportunities.

1. ​ Focus on Teamwork: Trust your partners and work together to cover all areas of the court effectively.

1. ​ Understand Your PCA (Primary Coverage Area): Know what you are responsible for in both two-person and three-person mechanics.

1. ​ Stay Humble and Authentic: Acknowledge mistakes, maintain integrity, and be genuine in your approach to officiating.

1. ​ Study and Reflect: Regularly review your performance, take notes post-game, and implement improvements.

1. ​ Engage in Pregame and Postgame Discussions: Collaborate with your crew before and after games to align on strategy and review performance.

1. ​ Develop Positive Habits: Incorporate pregame meditation, physical warmups, and mental preparation to excel on the court.

1. ​ Know the Levels of Professionalism: Strive for the highest level—where you aim for excellence not only for yourself but also for your partners and the game.

1. ​ Balance Process Over Outcome: Focus on preparation and execution rather than solely on advancement or recognition.

1. ​ Be Resilient: Handle tough situations and criticism with grace, using challenges as opportunities for growth.

1. ​ Prioritize Servant Leadership: Put the game, participants, and partners above yourself to serve the sport with integrity.

🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

⁣

🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

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🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼l

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1⁣

In this episode of the Crown Refs Podcast, we feature the inspiring journey of Jess Smith, a seasoned basketball official who has been making strides in college basketball officiating for over a decade, including seven years at the Division I level. Growing up in a basketball family, Jess was introduced to the game early on by her father, a former Division I women's basketball official. This unique upbringing laid the foundation for her deep love of the game, which has only grown through her experiences as both a coach and an official. Jess's dedication to leadership, communication, and mentorship is a driving force in her career, as she continues to prioritize growth, not just for herself, but also for those she mentors in the officiating community.⁣

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We talk about the importance of maintaining composure under pressure, fostering positive communication with coaches and players, and the balance between leadership and humility on the court. Jess discusses her strategies for handling challenging situations, her focus on mentoring the next generation of officials, and how her experience as a coach influences her approach to officiating. This episode also touches on Jess’s memorable moments in the game, from officiating the DII Elite 8 with an all-female crew to overcoming setbacks and bouncing back stronger. Whether you’re a seasoned official or just starting out, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways to enhance your officiating journey.⁣

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🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

⁣

🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽⁣

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

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🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽⁣

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1⁣

In this episode of the Crown Refs Podcast, we welcome Brian Neale, a seasoned NFL official, successful entrepreneur, and co-host of the longest-running sales podcast, The Advanced Selling Podcast. Brian shares insights from his remarkable 27-year journey to reach the NFL, including how officiating shaped his life and taught him patience, resilience, and the power of setting goals. With an impressive background that spans officiating at the highest levels and building a thriving business in sales coaching, Brian's perspective offers inspiration and invaluable advice for officials at any stage of their careers.⁣

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We dive into the parallels between officiating and business, focusing on topics such as process-driven decision-making, the importance of mentorship, and balancing professional life with a passion for officiating. Brian also shares memorable stories, like his experience officiating Super Bowl 56, the journey from high school sports to the NFL, and even a fun moment as a contestant on The Price is Right. Whether you're looking to refine your skills on the court or gain insights into professional growth, this episode provides a rich blend of practical advice and engaging stories.⁣

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🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

⁣

🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽⁣

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

⁣

🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽⁣

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1⁣

In this episode, we are honored to have NCAA Men's Basketball Coordinator Gerry Pollard, a seasoned official with over two decades of on-court experience, joining us. Gerry shares his remarkable journey starting as a high school referee and advancing to 21 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, culminating in a Final Four appearance in 2021. Now a coordinator for multiple conferences, Gerry brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world officiating wisdom, making this a must-listen for officials at every level.⁣

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𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 & 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀:⁣

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1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Gerry recounts how he got started, the steps he took to reach the college ranks, and his memorable experience working his way to the NCAA Final Four.⁣

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2. 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Includes the story of managing cross-country travels during a hectic schedule, like officiating in Central Florida on a Sunday and Gonzaga in Spokane on Monday.⁣

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3. 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀: A SWAT officer’s approach to keeping in top physical form even during intense officiating seasons.⁣

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4. 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Gerry discusses the impact of rule changes like the LGP (Legal Guarding Position) Block/Charge and shot clock introductions at the high school level.⁣

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5. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: From handling angry coaches like Bill Self to navigating the complexities of replay reviews.⁣

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6. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Gerry shares his experience juggling the demands of officiating with family life and why attending significant family events sometimes meant skipping high-profile games.⁣

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7. 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿: Gerry talks about his approach to mentoring young officials and the importance of developing a strong support network in the officiating community.⁣

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8. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Insight into attending camps, receiving feedback, and earning respect from veteran officials and coordinators.⁣

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9. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: How to handle the faster pace of play as you transition from high school to college and beyond.⁣

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Special thanks to Erik Steffenson for hosting this episode and guiding a powerful conversation filled with practical insights and memorable stories.

Welcome to Episode 2 of "Film Fam," featuring our community members Jay Bavolar from Hackensack, NJ, and Matt Kellog from Corry, PA. In this episode, we examine several plays from each official highlighting some of the strengths and areas of growth and improvement.⁣

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You will benefit from our detailed discussion covering the importance of positioning and maintaining an open view to be accurate. We touch on whistle cadence and the critical nature of watching and reviewing game film through specific lenses—like focusing on secondary actions and the behavior of defenders rather than just following the ball. This episode is packed with practical advice on improving signal clarity, ensuring proper court coverage, and maintaining emotional control during games. Tune in to transform these insights into actionable knowledge that can significantly improve your officiating skills.⁣

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🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

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🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽⁣

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

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🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽⁣

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1⁣

We're excited to introduce Film Fam, our new film review series at Crown Refs! Inspired by our Game Notes series, Film Fam will feature at least two officials per session who will share a bulk of plays for review. In this first episode, we feature officials Anthony Johnson Jr. and Carter Mochinski, who both bring a diverse set of game clips for analysis. This collaborative platform is designed to provide and receive valuable feedback, helping all of us refine our skills and grow together as a community.⁣

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During the episode, Anthony focuses on improving his closing down angles during rebounding fouls and working on slowing down and spacing out his signals when reporting to the scorer's table. Carter receives advice on maintaining eye contact with players during dead balls, observing the entire play sequence before making calls, and practicing patience in his decision-making process. We encouraged both officials to present their signals with confidence, avoid unnecessary gestures, and ensure they command respect and control on the court. Let us know if you’d like to be in a future film fam as it’s available to all members on the Crown Refs MENTOR tier & above.⁣

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🔗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⁣

Patreon.com/crownrefs/memberships⁣

⁣

🛒 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽⁣

https://crown-refs-merch.myspreadshop.com⁣

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🧑‍🎓 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹: 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽⁣

https://signalschool.teachable.com/p/signal-school-boot-camp1