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Originally Posted by fiasco
It's not even about giving advice or instruction when it's not asked for. It's about some veteran officials feeling like they are above criticism.
For example, last year I was working a JV game with the varsity refs watching. We had a player who slapped the backboard while (in our judgment) attempting to block a shot. The ball was in the cylinder and fell out. No call. After the game, both officials were all over us about why we didn't call basket interference. When I told them it's because that's not the rule, they both backtracked and said we should have at least called the technical. "What if the slap of the backboard wasn't intentional?" I asked. Doesn't matter, they said. When I, again, informed them that's not what the rule says, they both gave me a lecture about reffing in "the real world."
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What does that have to do with not taking criticism? That sounds like a disagreement of what the rule is or is not. I do not listen to anyone even when they are more veteran than me. I always consider the source.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fiasco
I've had several experiences like that with veteran officials who, because they are veterans, don't want to hear anything in terms of rules correction from someone who has fewer years of experience than they do.
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I teach a basketball class with very inexperienced officials in many cases. I get them trying to tell me what they interpret the rules are based on their very limited experience. What does that have to do criticism?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fiasco
So, like I said, I don't think it's a one-way street in terms of being accepting of criticism.
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Well often it is the younger and inexperienced officials that do not know what they are talking about or doing. All you have to do is read this board to figure that out sometimes. This is why most veterans say nothing if asked or if they know the person personally when we encounter officials we see in regular games. I almost only comment to younger officials when I know them or when I have been a clinician at their camp. And even then I have them ask when they want my evaluation. What you are describing is not what we are talking about. Because I will not accept much from someone I do not respect or feel has some knowledge that I can learn from. That is often not a 2 year officials.
Peace