LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – The U19 men's basketball world cup, which began June 28th, sees the refereeing crew entering the tournament fully prepared after completing a three-day Pre-Competition Camp (PCC). Held in Lausanne, the camp brought together 28 referees and their instructors from around the world for a mix of focused classroom sessions and practical on-court training.

A primary focus of the PCC was the smooth integration of technology and communication. Referees received training on the precise operation of the Instant Replay System (IRS) — a first for the U19 level—and mastered the use of the new internal communication sound system.

Fernando Leite from Brazil found the training highly effective, expanding on his thoughts about the IRS sessions: "The IRS situations practiced in different scenarios in the PCC were fantastic. We were able to work through complex plays in a controlled setting, from reviewing last-second shots to identifying the correct player in out-of-bounds situations. This hands-on practice helps build the confidence and efficiency needed to make the right decision quickly under pressure. It ensures we are all on the same page with the protocol, which is critical for the integrity of the game."

Ventislav Velikov of Bulgaria also highlighted the importance of this preparation, stating, "Having the opportunity to simulate IRS communication and the walk-through sessions were very useful. This is the safest environment to practice, and to practice communication and protocols will help us to have the correct outcome faster and, respectively, a better image for the referees."

The classroom modules covered all crucial aspects of running the game successfully. Martin Vulic from Croatia summarized the extensive training: "The PCC focused on IRS reviews, protocol summaries, advanced coverage sessions with practical on-court walk-through exercises, communication techniques, mental preparation, physical activation, and hands-on practice using the new communication system for in-game use."

Looking ahead with high hopes, Leite also commented on the competition itself: "I expect a level of good performance in this tournament, greater than in previous ones. The games feature incredibly talented young athletes who are playing with high intensity. This means we anticipate very fast-paced and competitive games. As referees, this is the environment we want to be in, and it challenges us to perform at our absolute best to match the quality on the court."

With the intensive preparation complete and the first games underway, the referee crews are ready for the challenge.

FIBA