It's a calling that requires judging others' behavior and publicly declaring the findings. It includes running, loud whistles, hand signals and sometimes taking guff from sweaty ward members.

Those called to be church basketball officials know it can be tricky, especially when emotions run high. Consequently, some are apt to seek out additional training.

About 30 men and women from the Utah Salt Lake City Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came together last week for a four-day clinic at the University of Utah to receive instruction from certified officials and gain on-the-court experience.

"The primary purpose of sports in the LDS Church is to assist in meeting the mission of the church. That's why we do this," said Ron Gerber, who has served on the Salt Lake City Area Sports Committee for more than 20 years.

Ray Shepherd, an event organizer, said the free clinic is meant to help officials fulfill their callings and equip them with knowledge and techniques that will help them be successful.

Shepherd, the basketball specialist on the Utah Salt Lake City Area Sports Committee, organizes the annual event, which has taken place for more than 10 years. The June 24-27 clinic coincided with the University of Utah's girls high school basketball camp, so after receiving classroom instruction, the ward and stake officials officiated at the girls' games. There are similar clinics held at Weber State University and Utah Valley University each year.

Church basketball has a reputation for being "a brawl started with a prayer," Shepherd said, and getting rid of that stigma is part of the purpose behind the clinic.

"The benefit is (officials) know the rules, they know how to officiate, they know how to control the game," Shepherd said.

Control is key, he said, to keeping things from getting out of hand.

Heather Petersen, the stake women's athletic director for her Lehi stake, attended the clinic and said church ball can get scrappy because there are people of all different ability levels competing. Because games are sometimes played fast and loose, she said the referee plays an important role.

"Church ball doesn't have to be a big brawl," she said. "That's why it's so important that we do come to these camps and learn how to officiate because officials really do control the game. They control the tempo and what will be tolerated and what won't be."

Petersen said that because there are oftentimes beginners playing the game in church ball, officials give many warnings and try to explain to players the rules and fouls as they go in order to help novice players improve.