Scrimmage season blues

[bas2456]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

There is an expectation for us to do scrimmages for free for the most part. This is not a blanket policy or even something we have to accept across the board. If you do not want to work a scrimmage for free, you do not accept the scrimmage in the first place (Arbiter is used for the most part). And scrimmages here are also not even remotely real in nature. They only involve the one school at their gym and often we might bring many officials to rotate in and out to work the scrimmage. Also there are multiple levels so we might run 2 person in one situation and then 3 officials in another. So to pay all the officials is usually unrealistic and would be inappropriate. But many scrimmages I have been paid as the veteran and we might bring along a newer or younger official to the scrimmage where they pay is additional experience.

Again, if you do not like the terms, stay home. If you want to learn something or get some experience, come out. Many times we have running clock situations and it is a glorified practice. And sometimes we are paid more than half of an actual game fee.

Peace

Jeff, don't know if you remember this or not, but you and I worked a scrimmage together with a couple other guys that was actually my first high school officiating experience of any kind. I believe you guys got paid, but I worked for free, though you all did take out me for pizza afterward.

They even stuck me in as part of the three-man portion of the night. While it was only my first scrimmage, I learned a ton from the three veterans I worked with. Rut is right, this is invaluable experience for a young or new official.