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The very first game I officiated was considered my "floor test". I worked a 5th and 6th grade boys game and was observed by a very good, very experienced official. My first lesson in basketball officiating was occasioned by a typical howler monkey yelling for 3 seconds and the lesson went like this:
Him: What's the purpose of the 3-second rule?
Me: Shrug, blank stare, overwhelming anxiety. (My first game, remember.)
Him: It's to keep the big guy from taking unfair advantage under the basket. (Long pause) Do you see any "big guys" out there?
This is one of my few concessions to the "dark side". Let it go. This falls under my "big deal" clause. It's not a big deal, so don't stop the game. Make every effort to get him out verbally. Then count to 10. If he lays down and pulls out a pillow, then call it.
Chuck
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