Put me down as in favor of working the rec leagues. Most times I hear the refs complaining about the
complaining I ask them if they made use of the T's and other game management techniques in an effort to TRY and makes things better for the game at hand. More often than not the refs said they did not dole out the T's. Let me say this about Rec Ball, sometimes
you MUST take charge of the situation early and firmly otherwise you will only be fish food for the sharks. There is no need for you to get into conversations on rules, judgements, or procedures --
it is your floor!
Strong game management skills is what gets you promoted to do higher level work (if you aspire to do so). Game management is what gets you peace of mind in knowing that you can handle the tough situations. Game management is what gets you respect from the participants far quicker than anything else. I encourage all of you to work the rec leagues (at all levels) and sieze the opporunity to work on those game management skills.
Don't get lazy and develop bad habits just because it is a rec league rather use the game time to work on the mechanics, positioning, communcation, and management skills with which we ALL NEED PRACTICE.
- Don't take any crap from any player, coach, parent, or fan.
- Dole out the T effectively after the first stop sign.
- Enforce the rules like lane violations, substitutions, coaches box, and hand-checking strictly by the book.
- Dole out the T again if the message is not heard the first time.
If they want to complain and whine, they can do so from the parking lot unless YOU LET THEM MANAGE YOU!
Don't be scared.