In this compelling return to the Make the Right Calls podcast, veteran official Jeff Anderson stresses that effective communication is the single most important skill for a basketball referee, superseding even getting the calls right 100% of the time. Anderson, speaking from the NCAA consortium kickoff event, shares insights from coach panels, emphasizing that officials must prioritize listening by simply asking coaches, "Tell me what you saw." He offers practical advice on avoiding gestures that can excite the crowd and lead to confrontations, maintaining a line of communication, and dealing with the statistical reality of home-court whistle bias. Anderson also discusses the new coach challenge rule and how officials at all levels (high school, JUCO, and up) can use preventative officiating to foster better relationships and success.

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