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Originally Posted by ABC Coach
Yes, rockyroad, you've remembered correctly my situation. Just for clarification...our league here was started two years ago. There's never been a certified referee to call a game in this league...EVER. I'm the only coach in the league (out of 14 teams). The refs we have are volunteers. They are all players in the league as well. Also bear in mind, that these guys didn't grow up around basketball. They don't watch NBA or NCAA. They've never seen two high school teams play one another...ever. So basketball is a relatively new thing for these guys.
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There is the problem right there. You get what you pay for. If you have people that are doing this and play in the league, you obviously are not getting very experienced or trained people in the first place. And that means that the players and coaches in question really need to behave.
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Originally Posted by ABC Coach
That being said, I'm standing behind the refs we have as much as the rules will allow me to. When I have a rookie calling my game (while I'm coaching that is), I don't dress him down for making bad calls. I'll let it go until after the game and then quietly explain where he made some mistakes. You wouldn't believe the progress we've made in just a few weeks with these refs....nevertheless, by American standards these guys are so far off from where they need to be...it's sad.
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Basketball is played all over the world. What does America have to do with this situation? It seems to me like you need to set a higher level of conduct if the participants are not used to a set of rules. And there are other sports that have conduct standards. Hell, soccer (or football) has rules of conduct.
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Originally Posted by ABC Coach
All that aside, the game in question was called off in the 3rd quarter because the refs were tired of the players arguing all the calls. I've also heard that the refs were starting to fire back at the players with cursing and insulting language.
From the info I've been able to gather, I've told the committee that the game should not have been called off and therefore if they want to replay it, I would give my approval. IS THAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO???
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No it is not in my opinion. Because what you have just done is allowed everyone to feel that they can behave in ways that are inappropriate and they benefit if the official does one thing wrong. I think that is a terrible precedent that you will set. I am not sure the official was right, but then again were the participants right too?
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Originally Posted by ABC Coach
I also told them that as far as the bad calls go...well, the ref is the ref. When he blows the whistle it's a foul...period. There's no justification for players yelling at the refs (even when he kicks it) and therefore calling technicals in those instances is completely acceptable.
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Then why replay the game?
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Originally Posted by ABC Coach
Gentlemen, I write these posts because I need your advice. I'm trying to help these refs here along and your advice has thus far played a major role in doing that. I've even recommended that the few of them that have internet access should log on and read the posts so that they too can learn something. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Since you are asking, you are receiving. It is ultimately up to you do decide what is right here. We are not there. But you did ask for opinions, so that means that some will think playing the game is not right. After all these are games, not issues of national security. Playing sports should always be viewed as a privilege and if the participants cannot contort themselves appropriately, then they should pay the consequences. And if you want a standard from your officials, either hire real people that officiate, or train the guys you have better. You cannot on one hand get upset about someone putting this to "American standard" and then use that same standard for how the official behaved. Remember, you said these were players that happen to volunteer to officiate. That sounds bad from the beginning just for the reasons that they already have some personal interaction with the players that is not necessarily good or without bias.
Peace