[Rich]

Originally Posted by Odd Duck

It may not be the case for you, but at the end of last season I rewrote my definitions of "advancing" and "better schedule". I worked a lot of games last season but only about 40-45% varsity. I made the decision to cut back on the number of select league games I worked and attend more camps. I did this for two reasons...(1) I realized I was getting tired and dreaded game days (not a good sign) and (2) by going to camps I would improve faster than simply by working games. I found my performance at the camps was better because I was fresher. At the last camp of the summer (which is put on by my chapter), the assigment secretary came up to me and asked "Is this really your 5th camp of the summer?". He also mentioned he had heard good reports.

Now that the season is starting I am getting fewer games (only 12 so far but only November has been assigned) but 10 of them are varsity. Last year I was the R a lot in varsity two person crews...this year I am getting a lot of assignments at U2. Additionally, my varsity games last year were small schools...this year (so far) they are 4A and 5A. Granted, not the top match-ups but more visible games with more of the top officials in the chapter...so I am becoming better known to them.

When schedules are discussed and I mention only 12 games people will say things like "Maybe your schedule will get better as the season rolls on." I just smile and say to myself...it already is better.

All that to ask...Are the varsity games you are getting "better" games? It may be a case of assignors putting you in better games and waiting for feedback before giving you more varsity games.

Just a thought.

I made a conscious decision to work nothing but varsity games three years ago. I won't even fill in at the subvarsity level anymore. Like it or not, there are some who will think of you as a "subvarsity official." Also, with my work travel and with a 3-year-old, I make choices to keep my schedule at a reasonable level.

More here: http://forum.officiating.com/showpos...25&postcount=7

I feel sorry that you are stuck with one assignor.

It really is better (you have to experience it to understand it) when you have 10 assignors each assigning a league and then the schools assigning the nonconference games themselves. I work hard at filling my schedule, but I'm in control of it. There are good officials in my area who won't network like this and lament they don't get 10 varsity games in a season because of it. It's their own fault -- I am just starting my sixth season in Wisconsin and I've never worked fewer than 20 varsity dates and have cut back to 35 this season. And at the end of the day, on average, you still have to be a good official or schools won't bring you back.