Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelling Man
I played HS varsity and small college hoop. This gives me insight on what players go through during a game, for example I can see how they get annoyed by pesky defenders which causes them to commit violations, how they experience stress of waning time and being down by 1 or 2 pts and the urgency that envelopes them, and also I know how they feign fouls--like initiating contact on drives when defender has LGP and they are looking to exploit the "gray areas" of the call. (i.e., 'flopping'). Also, there are just some aspects of hoop that I cannot verbalize but I can sense during a game--simply because I've been in the same situation that the players have been in. I know that my hoop playing experience gives me unique insight and I use it in the execution of my officiating practice. I don't mean to sound erudite, but officials who have not played competitive hoop are more prone to be duped by players who are prone to deceptive feigning.
I'm sorry to say this and will likey recieve feedback from the posters here. Yet, it also begs the question: can a coach who has never played varsity actually be an excellent varsity level coach? Can a ref who has never played in the nba be a good nba ref? But that is not really the point here.
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It certainly helps to have played. It is beneficial in the ways that you state, but also it means that the person has a passion for the game and enjoys being around it, which is probably even more important. People will do what they enjoy and put in the time to improve.
I played FR and JV basketball in HS, but due to a coaching change and my average ability, I was one of the last cuts and never played a minute of Varsity. I did play three years of Varsity soccer in HS.
I've officiated both sports for almost 15 years now. Between the two, I've worked about 20 State Championship games. I'm currently working JC basketball and D1 soccer.
I will say that I strongly believe that gamesmanship and game control transfer equally across all sports. If you played one and can relate to the current athletes and coaches, and understand how people are going to try to gain an edge, then you can officiate them almost any sport. (There are a few exceptions in my opinion, such as wrestling, for which it would be considerably more difficult to officiate well without participation experience.)
I believe that I would have no problem calling softball, baseball, or american football, if I so desired. I don't because I don't have the time in my life or the passion for those games which would compel me to make the time.