

Union Principles
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How are we different than other referee organizations? What do we expect from you? What can you expect from your partners across all Ref Union agencies? The following list will let you know. For specific info on administrative matters — payment processes, annual dues, how we assign games, etc. — please refer to our Membership Handbook on the next page.
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We Switch
We Hustle

From the 28' mark to the endline on every possession.
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Ok, well, 95%. Percentages aside, we are not the kind officials that hang out at half court (or even further back) or waddle to the baseline at our leisure. We are engaged on each play and try our best to get to the right spots in order to maximize call accuracy.
We Switch


We Cover
We have each other's back in case of one of us is running late.
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We never let a game start with only one referee (if we can help it).
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We don't poach each other's games but we fill in when needed.
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We work together as a crew and as a union to serve the game to the best of our abilities.

We Rest

We Get Better
There are only three officials that we can stipulate as having no real room for improvement: those working Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Despite being at the top of their craft, those same three officials still maintain the humility that they can never be perfect and there are always things you can do better the next time.
Ref Union embraces NBA philosophy and their teaching methodology. We encourage strong crisp NBA-style mechanics. Games rules are determined by our clients (usually NFHS) but game management is up to us. And who best to emulate than the top officials from the best league in the world. Please do not come in with a stringent high school mindset and dismiss what we're trying to promote. You won't fit in and you won't have a good time. Please be receptive to criticism from our veteran staff regardless of your "status" in the other organizations. Always be willing to get better!
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Follow these principles, get your calls correct, and you'll be primed for the tens of thousands of work opportunities we have to offer yearround. Note that Ref Union started with one hiring policy in mind: to bring aboard refs already at the top or those that are on their way there. If you work hard, do the right thing, communicate, be good to your partners, and lay down the law with the coaches, there will always be games for you.
Welcome to Ref Union!
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