In order
1. The game... I love sports in general and I cant play... so.. this is the next best thing
2. Its a release. I have 2 very young kids, and honestly.. Getting out of the house is good.
3. The kids... Its good to be able to teach kids the rules of the game by being a good official.
4. The challenge. Learning the rules... enforcing the rules... doing it right.
5. Exersice.... need to get and keep in shape.
6. The money. I still can believe we get paid for this.
My take on the older ref... Let him.. dont let him do important games.. varsity.. but.. if he wants to ref lower level games... Let him. as long as hes switching on fouls.... so what if hes not as fast down the court. The lower levels can use good refs to teach us young pups. I've worked with a coulple of older guys who cant get down the court, and on fast breaks... If I beat them to half court... I just continued. I know its not a proven mechanic, but in these lower level games.. I'm still fast enough to beat all these kids end to end and then the call is still right. The older guys appreciated it too, and I can still refer to them when I have questions. It all works out.
