Thessaloniki (Greece) - The FIBA Referee Instructor Programme (FRIP) L1 Europe workshop in Thessaloniki, Greece, concluded its third and fourth days with a dynamic focus on basketball knowledge, on-court practice, and refereeing techniques. The intensive workshop brought together 24 aspiring referee instructors from across Europe, eager to enhance their teaching and coaching skills.

Day 3: Mastering the Game

Following two days of classroom-based activities on learning methods, participants took to the court for an engaging session led by Coach Rui Alves from Portugal. The session provided a deep dive into defensive and offensive strategies, emphasizing the importance of understanding nuances such as close-out techniques, pick-and-roll/pop situations, and off-ball screens.

Participants engaged in lively discussions and practical exercises, gaining valuable insights into how to effectively teach referees to manage various game situations. Andris Aunkrogers from Latvia commented on the value of understanding the finer details of defensive systems and recognizing the involvement of all players in different scenarios. Emlek Serkan from Turkey praised the clarity of Coach Alves' instruction and the opportunity to participate in small group workshops, which reinforced their understanding of key concepts.

The on-court practice allowed participants to apply their knowledge and develop their teaching skills, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by officials. An online test concluded the day, assessing participants' comprehension and identifying areas for further development.

Day 4: From Knowledge to Application

Day 4 shifted the focus to refereeing itself. Participants were tasked with creating interactive learning activities based on the knowledge they gained in the previous days. These activities centered on key areas such as protocols, 3-person officiating (3PO), and video analysis.

The groups then presented their creative learning activities, showcasing their understanding of refereeing concepts and their ability to develop engaging training methods. This practical application of knowledge allowed participants to demonstrate their teaching skills and receive valuable feedback from their peers and instructors.

FIBA Referee Instructor Roberto Chiari (ITA), who was running the last day program with Albert Joseph from FIBA, summarised the learners: ‘It has surprised me how easily L1 participants could implement the theoretical knowledge into practice. As they get home, they can immediately start the work with the regional referees using the newly learnt methods.’

A Comprehensive Learning Experience

The FRIP Level 1 is an 18-week course, ending with 4 days of intense face-to-face workshop, provides a comprehensive learning experience for aspiring referee instructors, combining theoretical knowledge, practical application, and creative learning design. The participants should have a wider and deeper “toolbox” to help referees improve in their countries.

FIBA