The first pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, October 1.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.  Members will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email.

WEEK ONE — AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 1
6:35 – 6:55 pm – Check-In
7:00 – 7:05 pm – Welcome and Online Meeting Reminders
7:05 – 7:25 pm – Mini-Session # 1:  Officiating in 2020 and Beyond (Joe Spagnolo)
7:25 – 7:45 pm – Mini-Session # 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 4
7:45 – 8:10 pm – Mini-Session # 3: 2020 IHSA Summer Basketball Video Review (Fred Allman)
8:10 – 8:20 pm – Meet The Assigner:  Fred Allman (DuKane, Mid-Suburban, DuPage Valley)
8:20 – 8:25 pm – Plays of the Week
8:25 – 8:30 pm – Announcements
8:30 – 9:00 pm – New Officials Workshop:  Using Internet Resources

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Officiating in 2020 and Beyond”
IHSA Clinician Joe Spagnolo analyzes how long-lasting effects from the pandemic will affect the everyday future of officiating.  Protection, health, new mandates, and liabilities are all spin-offs of today’s changes in society.

Mini-Session # 2:  “Focus on the Rules – Rule 4”
A brief review of the definitions of basketball will be presented.  Concepts of control and status, defensive legality, contact and terminology are discussed.

Mini-Session # 3:  “2020 IHSA Summer Basketball Video Review”
IHSA Rules Interpreter Fred Allman reviews 11 different film clips on game situations, including how we, as officials, need to be professional and manage conflict. 
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AOA Plays of the Week:  

AOA Basketball Video Play of the Week:  https://youtu.be/3Vl-8WQBPb8
Should a foul have been called on this play?

AOA Basketball Case Book Play of the Week:  A1 becomes confused and throws the ball at the wrong basket. A1 is fouled by B1 and then the ball goes into the basket. Is this a successful basket? If A1 missed, would A1 be awarded two free throws for the foul by B1?

AOA Basketball Meetings will be conducted online using Zoom Technology.  The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 1.  All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and check-in each night starts at 6:30 p.m.

Each meeting will include three mini-session presentations, a guest assignor segment, the Plays of the Week and a new officials’ workshop.  Dues have been reduced 40% for returning members.
 

Meeting Dates:
Thursday, October 1
Thursday, October 8
Thursday, October 15
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, November 5
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 19
 

Topics and presenters will be posted before each week’s meeting.  Participants that attend a minimum of four of the first seven meetings will be eligible for IHSA Level 1 Clinic Credit. 

The AOA Executive Board is pleased to offer all members the opportunity to join NASO for the discounted one-year membership fee of $87.  The regular cost for individuals is $116 for a one-year membership.

• AOA Membership does not require members to join NASO. 
• Existing NASO-AOA members who take advantage of the discount will receive a pro-rated refund from NASO for unused months from their current individual membership once their application is processed.
• This offer is only for a limited time so please complete your application by JUNE 26, 2020.

Meeting Dates : Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 18 – make up if necessary

All classes start at 6:45 and are held in room 184 @ Naperville North High School

Thursday, October 31

• 6:45 – 7:25 p.m. – Check-In
• 7:30 – 8:05 p.m. – Breakout Sessions: Split Meeting Schedule
  • Breakout Session #1: “Effective Communication During Conflict” (Mark Siekierski) – Room A278
  • Breakout Session #2: “The Basics of Legal Defenders” (Joe Spagnolo) – Room A290
• 8:05 – 8:10 p.m. – Break
• 8:10 – 8:50 p.m. – Keynote Address: “IHSA Part 1 Test Review” (Harry Bohn) — Room A290
• 8:50 – 9:00 p.m. – Meet Your Assignors – Mark Siekierski & Harry Bohn
• 9:00 – 9:10 p.m. – Plays of the Week Review
• 9:15 – 9:20 p.m. – Announcements
• 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. – Social Event at The Silverado Grill, 447 Spring Road – Elmhurst, IL

Breakout Session Synopsis

Breakout Session # 1: “Effective Communication During Conflict”
Conflict on the court can take place with players, coaches, spectators and even partners. IHSA Clinician Mark Siekierski reviews his presentation on key communication techniques to use when conflicts arise on the court.

Breakout Session # 2: “The Basics of Legal Defenders”
Successful officiating starts with identifying that defenders have established legal guarding position and that they maintain that legality throughout

Meetings held at Fenton High School Rooms 302 & 304, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. To be a member in good standing you must attend 3 of 5 meetings. Dues remain at $35 payed at the first meeting attended, Clinic is free to members

Softball Meeting January 29, 2020
Umpire Pre-Season Training Program / Concussions
Professionalism
20 Test Questions

Softball Meeting February 5, 2020
Conflict Resolution
Pre-Game Meeting with Partners and Coaches
20 Test Questions

Softball Meeting February 12, 2020
Working with an Assigner – (assigners will attend, bring your open dates)
Coaches Panel – (3 coaches to attend)
20 Test Questions

Softball Meeting February 19, 2020
Batting Out of Order and Substitutions
Strike Zone Philosophy
20 Test Questions

Softball Meeting February 26, 2020
Rules Changes and POE
Working the Bases
20 Test Questions

Softball Clinic February 29, 2020
9 AM -1:30 PM
Location: Fenton High School, Bensenville, Il Room 302
Clinic Level: 1 & 2
Affiliated Organization: AOA
Contact: Tony Swat
Email: Nozs [at] aol [dot] com
Cost: Free for Members/ $35 for Non-Members
Clinician Dan Krueger
Chuck Leach with Official Call – Vendor

Sunday May 17, 2020, AOA Softball Banquet
Shoeless Joes, Addison IL

Location: York High School in Elmhurst

• 6:45 – 7:25 p.m. – Check-In
• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions: Split Meeting Schedule
  • Breakout Session #1: “Decision Making & Self-Talk” with Don Williams – Room A278
  • Breakout Session #2: “Owning Your Primary with Conflict Resolution” with Tim Loughnane – Room A290
• 8:00 – 8:05 p.m. – Break
• 8:05 – 8:35 p.m. – Keynote Address: “The Five P’s of Basketball Officiating” (Vern Turner) — Room A290
• 8:35 – 8:45 p.m. – Meet Your Assignor – Vern Turner, Chicago Prep League
• 8:45 – 8:50 p.m. – Play of the Week Review
• 8:50 – 9:00 p.m. – Announcements
• 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Social Event at The Silverado Grill, 447 Spring Road, Elmhurst, IL

Breakout Session Synopsis

Breakout Session # 1: “Decision Making & Self-Talk”
Even with sufficient preparation, basketball officiating comes down to getting the play correct on the court. Three-time state final official Don Williams reviews the “in’s and out’s” of decision making on the court and utilizes your internal thinking mechanisms to help you determine what you do and when you are supposed to do it.

Breakout Session # 2: “Owning Your Primary with Conflict Resolution”
Officiating your Primary Coverage Area is a universal statement at all levels of basketball. The importance of taking ownership of your area is paramount in determining success on the court. AOA Secretary/Treasurer Tim Loughnane talks about the importance of being the best official in your area and what sometimes happens when officials reach into areas that don’t belong to them.

Location: York High School in Elmhurst

• 6:45 – 7:25 p.m. – Check-In
• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Breakout Session: Split Meeting Schedule
  • Breakout Session #1: “Blarges:  Conflict on the Court” (Bernie Carroll & Bob Vaughn) – Room A278
  • Breakout Session #2: “Officiating at a Higher Level” (Bob Horvath) – Room A290
• 8:00 – 8:05 p.m. – Break
• 8:05 – 8:35 p.m. – Keynote Address
  • “Twenty Plays of Video” (Joe Spagnolo) – Room A290                      
• 8:35 – 8:45 p.m. – Meet Your Assignor
  • Bob Horvath, Southwest Prairie and Southwest Suburban
• 8:45 – 8:50 p.m. – Play of the Week Review
• 8:50 – 9:00 p.m. – Announcements
• 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Social Event at The Silverado Grill, 447 Spring Road – Elmhurst, IL

Breakout Session Synopsis

Breakout Session # 1: “Blarges:  Conflict on the Court”
There’s nothing more embarrassing and confusing when two officials blow their whistles and indicate two different things on the court.  When this happens during a block/charge play, we’ve now become part of the dreaded “blarge” play.  Sectional officials Bob Vaughn and Bernie Carroll will examine how this happens along with ways to prevent it in this video and fact based presentation.

Breakout Session # 2:  “Advancing to the Next Level”
Whether it is advancing through the state series or moving on to the collegiate ranks, many officials would like to move to the next level in their officiating careers.  Three-time state final official and college official Bob Horvath will share his experiences and offer some tips on some steps you can take to reach your ultimate goal.

Location: York High School in Elmhurst

• 6:45 – 7:25 p.m. – Check-In
• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions: Split Meeting Schedule
  • Breakout Session #1: “Effective Communication with Coaches” (Bob Copas) – Room A278
  • Breakout Session #2: “Being the Best Team on the Court” (Mark Cladis, Nick Cladis, Joe Spagnolo) – Room A290
• 8:00 – 8:05 p.m. – Break
• 8:05 – 8:35 p.m. – Keynote Address – “Fouls & Penalties” (Paul Schoessling) – Room A290
• 8:35 – 8:45 p.m. – Meet Your Assignor – Sal Vasta: GCAC & DuKane Conferences
• 8:45 – 8:50 p.m. – Play of the Week Review
• 8:50 – 9:00 p.m. – Announcements
• 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Social Event at The Silverado Grill, 447 Spring Road, Elmhurst, IL

Breakout Session Synopsis

Breakout Session # 1: “Effective Communication with Coaches”
Some of the more difficult things about being a basketball official is communicating with coaches. Veteran basketball official Bob Copas will simplify the process by reviewing what to expect and how to deal with coaches during a contest.

Breakout Session # 2: “Being the Best Team on the Court”
Goal setting is essential for success on the court and striving to be the best team on the court everyday pays dividends. The high school officiating crew of Mark Cladis, Nick Cladis and Joe Spagnolo will share their past experiences and their processes, which your crew can use to be the best team on the court every night.

Location: York High School in Elmhurst

• 6:45 – 7:25 p.m. – Check-In
• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions: Split Meeting Schedule
• Breakout Session #1:  “Communication At Its Best: Working With Others” (Eddie Burns) – Room A290
• Breakout Session #2: “Getting Back To Basics” (Joe Spagnolo) – Room A278
• 8:00 – 8:05 p.m. – Break
• 8:05 – 8:35 p.m. – Keynote Address – Fred Allman, IHSA Rules Interpreter – Room A278
• 8:35 – 8:45 p.m. – Meet Your Assignor – Fred Allman: Mid-Suburban League & DuKane Conference
• 8:45 – 8:50 p.m. – Play of the Week Review
• 8:50 – 9:00 p.m. – Announcements
• 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Social Event at The Silverado Grill, 447 Spring Road – Elmhurst, IL

Breakout Session Synopsis

Breakout Session # 1: “Communication At Its Best:  Working With Others”
This presentation is ideal for beginning and intermediate officials.  Eddie Burns will discuss being an effective communicator with partners, players, coaches and game administrators.  Learn the “Do’s and Don’ts” of working with the other participants of the game.

Breakout Session # 2: “Getting Back to Basics”
Veteran officials are expected to be perfect with all of the things they already know and master all of the new changes each year.  The problem is that bad habits start to increase when things we’ve been used to are not part of an annual review.  Joe Spagnolo will review the “set pieces” of basketball to make sure that all of us get back on the same page.  This presentation is geared for varsity experienced officials and is an excellent way to start your pre-season.