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Early in my career I would shy away from partners that I felt were not up to par, good, horrible or just plain sucked and also ask not to be paired up in later games.
As I became more experienced I looked at it as an oppurtunity to pass on what I have learned and even took the time after games to back up what I was saying, with rules interpretations and others books that I always carried in the car.
I actually witnessed many officials improving because someone took time to help them. There is just so much to learn and some think it happens over the night, but it takes time. During that time, making mistakes was part of the lessons.
So, it is easy to find fault with what your partners do or do not do but, you are a team out there during the good and BAD times. Anyone can take credit for only the good things the team does but helping the team to improve is also a responsibilty each one of us have. Wether our partner is a rising star or a Smitty that has been around for ever. Old dogs CAN learn new trickes, I have seen it happen.
I would call my assignor and let them know about Smitty or Johnnie but, I would ask him to schedule some other games with him so I could followup with a lesson. Maybe a game less intense if applicable but I would always followup.
I realize some do not want to take on that role as a teacher, but it always worked for me and I think it's a responsibilty that more experienced officials should take on, to pass on to those that will fill our shoes.
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