DuffMan
Well-Known Member
First of all anyone who claims officiating “isn’t that hard” either…
1) is a liar
2) is lazy and didn’t try very hard
3) is the most naturally talented and gifted official ever to walk the earth
Congrats if it’s number 3.
I don't claim to be a hero or want recognition. The goal of our crew each night is to have as smooth a game as possible and go unnoticed. Again not a single official I know does this for "recognition".
I said you have issues because you said you were incapable of discussing the matter without getting PO'd, seems to me that would indicate you have some issues.
I have no issues with being wrong. It rarely happens in a rule related matter (which is all we were discussing here) but on the court it happens. I have no problem telling coaches who treat me with respect "I'm sorry, I probably missed that one, but I'll try hard to get it right next time". Basketball is a game played and supervised by human beings and everyone makes mistakes. Players miss shots (even lay ups), coaches make a bad decisions, and officials miss calls.
But at least now we get to the bottom of it, you coached travelling youth teams....
This is something many youth coaches have trouble understanding. You are there to teach kids basketball skills, basketball sportsmanship, and life. You are NOT there to earn your kid a DI scholarship or an NBA contract. There may be coaches along the way capable of doing those things, but you aren't one of them. During games your job should be helping your kids get better at the game, not working the officials at the contest. If you have time to "work an official" then you should be using that time to coach you kids, I promise you they need improving a helluva lot more than the officials do. We have enough to worry about keeping track of ten kids (some of whom can't walk and chew gum at the same time) and dealing with parents without having to deal with someone who SHOULD be serving as a role model for these kids.
The interesting thing about parents (and sometimes fans in general) is they don't always see the need to understand a rule prior to yelling at an official about how it should be enforced. This season I've personally experienced a parent who stood up in the bleachers walked within 3 feet from me, count to three, and begin screaming for a 3 second violation while the other team was trying to inbound the ball. Everyone on the court stopped playing and just stood and stared at this guy. We actually had to blow the ball dead so I could tell him there is no 3 second rule while the ball is dead and ask him to sit down so we could re-start the game. Fans will stand and scream for a travel after a player dives for a loose ball, gains possession, and slides 3 feed on his jersey without understanding a player may slide from one free throw line to the other with the ball provided he doesn't roll over or attempt to get to his feet.
Parents don't understand that if we called every travelling violation in a 4th grade boys tournament most games would more closely resemble suicide drills and would end with scores in the single digits. But they sure remember that time we called their kid for travelling because he fell to his knees with the ball and they can't wait to ride us for not calling a travel on someone else’s kid because he slid is pivot foot a few inches.
Things like this aren't always limited to youth ball either. I've been shocked this season at the number of times "fans" (I use that word loosely) spent more energy yelling at officials than cheering their own team. Their team would steal an inbounds pass, and the player would go coast to coast for a layup and they would get a golf clap, but the officials would make a call they didn't agree with and half a dozen people would be on their feet screaming. It was absolutely shocking to witness. I remember leaving a varsity game at CCA earlier this year. It was a 2 point game and came down the the last possession. As I was on my way out through the lobby after changing clothes a guy was laughing to the other parents about his voice being horse from "yelling at the officials" all night.... really? It was a two point game, I would think I'd be cheering on your team not yelling at officials (contrary to popular belief yelling at officials and cheering on your team are not the same thing).
All that said the VAST MAJORITY of coaches, parents, and fans at all levels are decent and grounded people. Unfortunately for them the behavior of the few stains the reputation of the many. The positive experiences I've had officiating basketball far outweigh any of the negatives, and I refuse to let any of the people like those mentioned above take away from those positives. I took up this hobby knowing full well those kinds of people exist and that dealing with them is part of what I signed up for. That said it doesn't change the fact that type of behavior is disgraceful.
Lastly I’ll share that in the 6 years I've been officiating I've learned 2 unequivocal facts…
1) I am a much better official when the team you are rooting for is ahead.
2) It is impossible to look like a good official during a poorly played basketball game.
1) is a liar
2) is lazy and didn’t try very hard
3) is the most naturally talented and gifted official ever to walk the earth
Congrats if it’s number 3.
I don't claim to be a hero or want recognition. The goal of our crew each night is to have as smooth a game as possible and go unnoticed. Again not a single official I know does this for "recognition".
I said you have issues because you said you were incapable of discussing the matter without getting PO'd, seems to me that would indicate you have some issues.
I have no issues with being wrong. It rarely happens in a rule related matter (which is all we were discussing here) but on the court it happens. I have no problem telling coaches who treat me with respect "I'm sorry, I probably missed that one, but I'll try hard to get it right next time". Basketball is a game played and supervised by human beings and everyone makes mistakes. Players miss shots (even lay ups), coaches make a bad decisions, and officials miss calls.
But at least now we get to the bottom of it, you coached travelling youth teams....
This is something many youth coaches have trouble understanding. You are there to teach kids basketball skills, basketball sportsmanship, and life. You are NOT there to earn your kid a DI scholarship or an NBA contract. There may be coaches along the way capable of doing those things, but you aren't one of them. During games your job should be helping your kids get better at the game, not working the officials at the contest. If you have time to "work an official" then you should be using that time to coach you kids, I promise you they need improving a helluva lot more than the officials do. We have enough to worry about keeping track of ten kids (some of whom can't walk and chew gum at the same time) and dealing with parents without having to deal with someone who SHOULD be serving as a role model for these kids.
The interesting thing about parents (and sometimes fans in general) is they don't always see the need to understand a rule prior to yelling at an official about how it should be enforced. This season I've personally experienced a parent who stood up in the bleachers walked within 3 feet from me, count to three, and begin screaming for a 3 second violation while the other team was trying to inbound the ball. Everyone on the court stopped playing and just stood and stared at this guy. We actually had to blow the ball dead so I could tell him there is no 3 second rule while the ball is dead and ask him to sit down so we could re-start the game. Fans will stand and scream for a travel after a player dives for a loose ball, gains possession, and slides 3 feed on his jersey without understanding a player may slide from one free throw line to the other with the ball provided he doesn't roll over or attempt to get to his feet.
Parents don't understand that if we called every travelling violation in a 4th grade boys tournament most games would more closely resemble suicide drills and would end with scores in the single digits. But they sure remember that time we called their kid for travelling because he fell to his knees with the ball and they can't wait to ride us for not calling a travel on someone else’s kid because he slid is pivot foot a few inches.
Things like this aren't always limited to youth ball either. I've been shocked this season at the number of times "fans" (I use that word loosely) spent more energy yelling at officials than cheering their own team. Their team would steal an inbounds pass, and the player would go coast to coast for a layup and they would get a golf clap, but the officials would make a call they didn't agree with and half a dozen people would be on their feet screaming. It was absolutely shocking to witness. I remember leaving a varsity game at CCA earlier this year. It was a 2 point game and came down the the last possession. As I was on my way out through the lobby after changing clothes a guy was laughing to the other parents about his voice being horse from "yelling at the officials" all night.... really? It was a two point game, I would think I'd be cheering on your team not yelling at officials (contrary to popular belief yelling at officials and cheering on your team are not the same thing).
All that said the VAST MAJORITY of coaches, parents, and fans at all levels are decent and grounded people. Unfortunately for them the behavior of the few stains the reputation of the many. The positive experiences I've had officiating basketball far outweigh any of the negatives, and I refuse to let any of the people like those mentioned above take away from those positives. I took up this hobby knowing full well those kinds of people exist and that dealing with them is part of what I signed up for. That said it doesn't change the fact that type of behavior is disgraceful.
Lastly I’ll share that in the 6 years I've been officiating I've learned 2 unequivocal facts…
1) I am a much better official when the team you are rooting for is ahead.
2) It is impossible to look like a good official during a poorly played basketball game.
