[blindzebra]

Originally posted by RookieDude

TP..let's say you have 20 years experience on the court...some guy with a couple years experience comes in the locker room at half time and "gives you advice". This guy is trying to "train an old dog", using your words. This dosen't come off to well with the Veterans I know...myself included.
I mean...when you get to those pearly gates, are ya going to give God advice!
You are right about some of our egos here...mine actually happens to be larger than JRuts afro on his smiley face! (with no apologies) I actually heard more than one big time Div 1 official say you have to have somewhat of an ego to even do this advocation.

rockyroad...yeah, maybe a little testy...I'm in Mariner country also.

Here is something that happened to me that I think fits.

I arrived early for my varsity game, with about 3 minutes to go in the first half of the JV game. I took a seat in the front row with my bag.

A foul was called that was the 7th team foul, neither the younger of the two officials or the older one noticed and were about to inbound the ball. I was about ten feet away and said, "Hey guys, you are in the bonus." I'm no spring chicken, but this "old dog" decided to stop the game, come over and annouce," I see your bag, you have the next game, I've been doing this for over 30 years and don't need your help."

The half came, I went into the dressing room, figuring I'd let it go, and see if the younger guy wanted any feedback. We get in there and this "old dog" starts in again, about it being his game. I finally said, "Listen, if I'm about to screw up, I don't care if I get help from my partner, the table, a player, a coach, or a fan, I'd rather not mess the game up."

I'd rather be open to another persons opinion and choose to disagree based on what I've learned from my experience, and not because I view my experience as being infallible.

Things have changed so much about officiating that old dogs need to learn new tricks or someone will put them out to pasture.