Quote:
Originally posted by Junker
You've hit on a big concern. Right now, there are only two conferences in the state that have 3 man crews exclusively (I worked in one this season and next season half of my schedule is split between the 2). Most of the people at the state level have not worked a lot of 3 man themselves and are not as well prepared to teach 3 man mechanics. The people in the state that know 3 man well, are the college guys and they often aren't involved in the training. With different crews this season I worked HS, Men's college, and women's college mechanics just to blend in with the crew. This is fine with me as I have aspirations of working the college game and go work college mechanics at camps, but for the guys new to 3 man, it's going to be really ugly for a few years I fear. I can't tell you how glad I am we're going 3, but there are going to be some really interesting tournament games next season, just because of officiating changes.
|
Your state needs to take on a training program not very different than what our state did. In Illinois they required all officials to attend camps as a requirement for their license. Also because our state went to 3 Person all playoff games, conferences realized they had to allow more 3 Person games in their conferences in order to get used to the change and help officials get used to the change. Illinois standardized many procedures and practices that are taught from one end of the state to another. Also it is required that all officials that want to work post season must attend a 3 Person camp where the officials work games on the floor. Also our state licensed clinicians registered with the state that were the only ones responsible for making sure these camps were teaching the same things. So what tends to happen is when guys work together that have never met, they are starting from similar understanding of the mechanics. Of course there were growing pains for the first couple years, but now I can watch games all over the place and see proper coverages and a very good understanding of all the mechanics. Just like anything there are people you understand better than others, but the mistakes are minor and things that can be taught. Also as a board member of one of my associations our group does a lot of reinforcing of the mechanics and procedures with camps and during meetings. This is also typical of other groups in our state as well. We are constantly beating officials over the head with information and policies that the IHSA wants us to cover. So when the playoffs officials are very well versed in 3 Person that it is like riding a bike. Of course there are differences in philosophy and minor issues, but nothing your a pre-game cannot overcome.
Peace