It is high time to start aWe are happy and proud to announce that Richard Stokes will join our instructor team at REFEREE.PL camp for the second time (first in 2017)!

Richard brings the experience and know-how from the best league at the continent – Euroleague, where he works as an Officials Director for four years already. Before for ten years Richard was in FIBA Europe managing the Competition and Referee Department.

The basketball history of Richard’s starts much earlier though, as since 1985 he held referee license and became international official in 1993, and join the Euroleague list of referees in 2000.

At REFEREE.PL Richard will be working with all of you on your personal progress during the games, helping to analyze games, presenting the Euroleague strategy and approach for the coming season and many other interesting topics.

Cannot wait for the camp to start. Here is a short talk with Richard before the camp.

Second time at the camp in Poland. Many different level camps in your Euroleague director role, instructor and as a referee. What are your expectations this time towards the participants and other instructors this time?

Richard Stokes: As always it is good to be part of any camp that is engaged in trying to develop referees and to improve their skills and understanding of the game, no matter what their level. I expect to see some new faces this year as I have not been here since 2017, but I also expect the referees to come ready to watch, listen, and learn and to use the feedback to improve their job. You can never stop learning at any level, referee or instructor. Even as instructors we can learn something from each other and from the referees.

How, in your opinion, officiating basketball has changed in past years? Do referees need to work more to stay on the top level?

Richard: There is no doubt that the game is always moving forward. Our challenge is to keep pace with those changes and to not fall behind. This means even during the season from week to week, we have to be ready to react and adjust when we see new things or have new experiences. We must be ready for the unexpected! Yes, referees need to work harder both physically and mentally the work of the referees is very different from even 5 years ago, especially with the use of new technologies.

What is your three tips and tricks to stay on top level and progress to achieve your referee goals?

• Never stop being ready to listen and learn
• Never stop evaluating your own performance and recognize your weaknesses or errors
• Always give 100% mentally and physically to your team in any game and communicate all the time

How do you nominate your Euroleague referees? What are the criteria to become Euroleague?

Richard: Well, like any team or coach, we are constantly looking at how we can improve. Therefore, part of that job is to scout referees outside our current group to see if they can help improve the quality of what we must deliver to our stakeholders. If there are talented referees out there, that can help us, then we will look at them, but in any one season we are following 15-20 referees each year at any one time. The criteria that we often come back to and ask ourselves is, “Whether we have the best officials and the best team of officials in Europe?”. Of course, on the other side we are always looking to see if any of our referees are not consistently performing at the required level – we must consider both sides of the equation.

Could you give us a sneak peak of what do you think how coming Euroleague season will look for the group of referees, from rules perspective, players and coach’s perspective and current game trends?

Richard: We have added 4 new referees for the 2019-20 season. Two of them were international referees and two were not, so I think it is fair to say that there are less barriers in becoming and remaining a Euroleague Basketball (EB) referee. We reviewed last season with all our coaches in both competitions and have announced some small changes with their agreement, some of which we had been discussing for some time in different forums within in our organization, so we are comfortable with these changes. We place a lot of value in our dialogue with the coaches during the year and there is no doubt that this dialogue helps us get better and have a better understanding of what we need and where we need it. I think this season can be one of the most competitive since I joined EB and looking at the rosters for each club, I expect some very tough and competitive games. The fight for play off places is always hard, but I think we will see a step up this year in that respect, so we must be ready.

It is high time to start aWe are happy and proud to announce that Richard Stokes will join our instructor team at REFEREE.PL camp for the second time (first in 2017)!

Richard brings the experience and know-how from the best league at the continent – Euroleague, where he works as an Officials Director for four years already. Before for ten years Richard was in FIBA Europe managing the Competition and Referee Department.

The basketball history of Richard’s starts much earlier though, as since 1985 he held referee license and became international official in 1993, and join the Euroleague list of referees in 2000.

At REFEREE.PL Richard will be working with all of you on your personal progress during the games, helping to analyze games, presenting the Euroleague strategy and approach for the coming season and many other interesting topics.

Cannot wait for the camp to start. Here is a short talk with Richard before the camp.

Second time at the camp in Poland. Many different level camps in your Euroleague director role, instructor and as a referee. What are your expectations this time towards the participants and other instructors this time?

Richard Stokes: As always it is good to be part of any camp that is engaged in trying to develop referees and to improve their skills and understanding of the game, no matter what their level. I expect to see some new faces this year as I have not been here since 2017, but I also expect the referees to come ready to watch, listen, and learn and to use the feedback to improve their job. You can never stop learning at any level, referee or instructor. Even as instructors we can learn something from each other and from the referees.

How, in your opinion, officiating basketball has changed in past years? Do referees need to work more to stay on the top level?

Richard: There is no doubt that the game is always moving forward. Our challenge is to keep pace with those changes and to not fall behind. This means even during the season from week to week, we have to be ready to react and adjust when we see new things or have new experiences. We must be ready for the unexpected! Yes, referees need to work harder both physically and mentally the work of the referees is very different from even 5 years ago, especially with the use of new technologies.

What is your three tips and tricks to stay on top level and progress to achieve your referee goals?

• Never stop being ready to listen and learn
• Never stop evaluating your own performance and recognize your weaknesses or errors
• Always give 100% mentally and physically to your team in any game and communicate all the time

How do you nominate your Euroleague referees? What are the criteria to become Euroleague?

Richard: Well, like any team or coach, we are constantly looking at how we can improve. Therefore, part of that job is to scout referees outside our current group to see if they can help improve the quality of what we must deliver to our stakeholders. If there are talented referees out there, that can help us, then we will look at them, but in any one season we are following 15-20 referees each year at any one time. The criteria that we often come back to and ask ourselves is, “Whether we have the best officials and the best team of officials in Europe?”. Of course, on the other side we are always looking to see if any of our referees are not consistently performing at the required level – we must consider both sides of the equation.

Could you give us a sneak peak of what do you think how coming Euroleague season will look for the group of referees, from rules perspective, players and coach’s perspective and current game trends?

Richard: We have added 4 new referees for the 2019-20 season. Two of them were international referees and two were not, so I think it is fair to say that there are less barriers in becoming and remaining a Euroleague Basketball (EB) referee. We reviewed last season with all our coaches in both competitions and have announced some small changes with their agreement, some of which we had been discussing for some time in different forums within in our organization, so we are comfortable with these changes. We place a lot of value in our dialogue with the coaches during the year and there is no doubt that this dialogue helps us get better and have a better understanding of what we need and where we need it. I think this season can be one of the most competitive since I joined EB and looking at the rosters for each club, I expect some very tough and competitive games. The fight for play off places is always hard, but I think we will see a step up this year in that respect, so we must be ready.

It is high time to start aWe are happy and proud to announce that Richard Stokes will join our instructor team at REFEREE.PL camp for the second time (first in 2017)!

Richard brings the experience and know-how from the best league at the continent – Euroleague, where he works as an Officials Director for four years already. Before for ten years Richard was in FIBA Europe managing the Competition and Referee Department.

The basketball history of Richard’s starts much earlier though, as since 1985 he held referee license and became international official in 1993, and join the Euroleague list of referees in 2000.

At REFEREE.PL Richard will be working with all of you on your personal progress during the games, helping to analyze games, presenting the Euroleague strategy and approach for the coming season and many other interesting topics.

Cannot wait for the camp to start. Here is a short talk with Richard before the camp.

Second time at the camp in Poland. Many different level camps in your Euroleague director role, instructor and as a referee. What are your expectations this time towards the participants and other instructors this time?

Richard Stokes: As always it is good to be part of any camp that is engaged in trying to develop referees and to improve their skills and understanding of the game, no matter what their level. I expect to see some new faces this year as I have not been here since 2017, but I also expect the referees to come ready to watch, listen, and learn and to use the feedback to improve their job. You can never stop learning at any level, referee or instructor. Even as instructors we can learn something from each other and from the referees.

How, in your opinion, officiating basketball has changed in past years? Do referees need to work more to stay on the top level?

Richard: There is no doubt that the game is always moving forward. Our challenge is to keep pace with those changes and to not fall behind. This means even during the season from week to week, we have to be ready to react and adjust when we see new things or have new experiences. We must be ready for the unexpected! Yes, referees need to work harder both physically and mentally the work of the referees is very different from even 5 years ago, especially with the use of new technologies.

What is your three tips and tricks to stay on top level and progress to achieve your referee goals?

• Never stop being ready to listen and learn
• Never stop evaluating your own performance and recognize your weaknesses or errors
• Always give 100% mentally and physically to your team in any game and communicate all the time

How do you nominate your Euroleague referees? What are the criteria to become Euroleague?

Richard: Well, like any team or coach, we are constantly looking at how we can improve. Therefore, part of that job is to scout referees outside our current group to see if they can help improve the quality of what we must deliver to our stakeholders. If there are talented referees out there, that can help us, then we will look at them, but in any one season we are following 15-20 referees each year at any one time. The criteria that we often come back to and ask ourselves is, “Whether we have the best officials and the best team of officials in Europe?”. Of course, on the other side we are always looking to see if any of our referees are not consistently performing at the required level – we must consider both sides of the equation.

Could you give us a sneak peak of what do you think how coming Euroleague season will look for the group of referees, from rules perspective, players and coach’s perspective and current game trends?

Richard: We have added 4 new referees for the 2019-20 season. Two of them were international referees and two were not, so I think it is fair to say that there are less barriers in becoming and remaining a Euroleague Basketball (EB) referee. We reviewed last season with all our coaches in both competitions and have announced some small changes with their agreement, some of which we had been discussing for some time in different forums within in our organization, so we are comfortable with these changes. We place a lot of value in our dialogue with the coaches during the year and there is no doubt that this dialogue helps us get better and have a better understanding of what we need and where we need it. I think this season can be one of the most competitive since I joined EB and looking at the rosters for each club, I expect some very tough and competitive games. The fight for play off places is always hard, but I think we will see a step up this year in that respect, so we must be ready.

It is high time to start announcing the instructors for this year’s camp. With a great pleasure at first, we would like to introduce former Euroleague and FIBA referee – Todd Warnick.

Todd started his official referee career in USA in 1973, where for 5 years he was attending college and officiating semi-professional league. In 1979 he moved to Jerusalem and was working as referee for 25 years in Israel’s premier league and 20 years in FIBA including 2000 – 2003 in Euroleague. After finishing his career on the court, Todd became a referee instructor and coach. Between 2007 – 2017 Todd joined as instructor in more than 20 FIBA tournaments, adding clinics and camps, video observations, individual coaching and mentoring. He is also Certified FIBA instructor (FRIP) and since 2016 working in Euroleague/Eurocup as referee coach.

As Todd has experience from European competitions and overseas league we asked him to tell us more about this.

Which type of basketball is more interesting for you, European or American?

Todd Warnick: Both European and American basketball (NBA and NCAA) are interesting for me, but I watch it all from a referee’s perspective. In fact, after so many years in the “business” it’s almost impossible for me to watch any sport, especially basketball, from a fan perspective. My head just doesn’t work like that anymore.

What are the differences between NBA and Euroleague referees?

Todd: There are a few differences between NBA and Euroleague referees, though they are certainly narrowing. NBA (and all American) referees have always verbalized their communications especially at the point of foul and when reporting to the table, whereas international rules specifically limited referees to using non-verbal language only. We are quickly working to close that gap, though it’s a challenge to change decades of ingrained non-verbal officiating habits – but we must. There are also a few differences of course, in rules and guidelines that result in slightly different play-calling. In my opinion, the biggest difference that affects referees from a rule perspective is the NBA defensive 3-second rule, which we obviously don’t have in the Euroleague or international basketball. I think we underestimate how much this opens the game up in the paint and changes angles, especially for the Lead referee. Not discounting the greater athletic skills of its players, it makes the NBA game in some ways easier to referee.

What are the top 3 things you look at while observing officials during Euroleague games?

Todd: While all inter-related, first, I am looking at play-calling. This is the most important, i.e., are we getting the plays, right? Are the decisions consistent with rules and our guidelines? Second, I am looking at positioning and movement, especially in relationship to the referees’ decisions. Was the referee in the right position to make the call (or no-call)? If there is an incorrect decision – why? Poor positioning or just wrong judgment? Third, I am watching how the referees manage and communicate among themselves and with players and coaches.

This is your second time at the camp in Poland, what do you expect from this camp, its participants and instructors?

Todd: I am looking forward again to the camp in Poland. I was impressed last year with the commitment of everyone involved – participants and instructors, coaches and players – and the camp’s general team spirit of everyone working to get better. Of course, I’m sure it will be the same this year – and more!

Tell us about your website, please.

Todd: Regarding my website “Double Whistle“, I’ve recently set up a website/blog for general referee education. I also have a Double Whistle Facebook Page. I will soon also announce the offering of referee individual coaching services

Great, thank you Todd!!

See you soon at Referee.pl in Radom!