quote:
Originally posted by S. Hoover on 01-24-2000 10:09 PM
Coach, 6th grade girls...c'mon! You can't call an intentional in that game. When you officiate 6th grade girls, you have to (i hate using this word) "altar" the rules a bit. If you called every single walk or three seconds you'd be there all day! You have to let a bit more go. It can't be called word for word.
True, you can't call everything at this level. But still, a push in the back is certainly much less frequent than all the travels, three seconds, etc. and perhaps should not be ignored. I would use it as a learning experience--assess the intentional foul if that's what it was, then EXPLAIN the situation briefly to the girl. How you make the call and deal with the player--i.e., your demeanor with her--is important. Don't need to look mad or stern. Just be pleasant and explain what happened and why you called the intentional foul, adding that you know she wasn't trying to hurt the opponent. It's all about learning at this level, and making an "intentional" call can contribute to that process without detracting from the game or upsetting the girl who got the foul.