Scrimmage season blues

[bballref3966]

We're beginning the second week of scrimmage season in the great state of South Carolina, where it is considered our "volunteer duty to the schools" to work scrimmages for free.

Our assigner told us that we are to treat scrimmages like real games in terms of penalizing unsporting behavior from coaches–in other words, we can't pack up and leave if a coach is being a jerk. We're supposed to just T and eject if necessary and write a report.

Ah, catering to the schools' desires without any compensation. Gotta love this time of year.

[Raymond]

Is this the public schools or the private schools?

[bballref3966]

This is the SCHSL, so mostly public schools. My district is all public schools.

SCISA officials aren't paid for scrimmages either, I don't think. I'm not sure what directives they're given.

[Rich]

I'm thankful that we don't work scrimmages for free.

I had to turn back my 2 scrimmages last week as there were some family health issues this past week. They would've paid me 150% of the usual varsity pay each. Looks like I'll start my season with a game this year.

[SC Official]

3966, someone in my district said that if we walk out of scrimmages because of coaches misbehaving, "you've allowed the coach to win" and "it's not fair to the kids."

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SC Official

3966, someone in my district said that if we walk out of scrimmages because of coaches misbehaving, "you've allowed the coach to win" and "it's not fair to the kids."

Working scrimmages for free isn't "fair to the officials."

If they want officials, they should pay market rates for them.

[BlueDevilRef]

In my area of Missouri, we used to have a summer camp that we were required to attend for the assn. no pay and it was a cattle call, just go and work games. I always wished it would have been a teaching moment with veterans counseling new guys, but it never was. If you didn't attend two sessions (approx 8 hours) you got an assn fine. Now, the got rid of it and raised assn yearly dues instead. Oh well.

MSHSAA now allows preseason jamborees for all sports. Assigned via the assn's and paid, though not much. It is a good way to get in the mood for the season but it is not near enough work to get you ready for a season, no matter the sport.


I wish I had a cool signature

[bas2456]

I've got two scrimmages this week, with one being a varsity scrimmage. It'll be my first three man experience in a non-clinic setting. I'm looking forward to it.

[SWMOzebra]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

In my area of Missouri, we used to have a summer camp that we were required to attend for the assn. no pay and it was a cattle call, just go and work games. I always wished it would have been a teaching moment with veterans counseling new guys, but it never was. If you didn't attend two sessions (approx 8 hours) you got an assn fine. Now, the got rid of it and raised assn yearly dues instead. Oh well.

And this is why I have made a point to avoid the larger of the two associations in SW Missouri.

As for working college scrimmages for free, I will generally do one every October or early November ... but at a school of my choosing. It's easier for me to agree to work for no pay if I respect the coach and their program. If a coach is a constant PIA during the season and just screams at his/her players expecting magical results without doing any actual "coaching," I ignore their requests for pro bono preseason work.

[Kansas Ref]

Our state mandated "mechanics meeting" is conducted with classroom instruction and a freebie scrimmage
The set-up is two freshman and two varsity teams placed in two separate gymnasia at one high school. The clock is running for 5 minutes--which goes by really fast. Each crew of refs works 2 x 5 min periods and is critiqued by 'veteran refs' after the conclusion of each of your first and second 5 min periods {ostensibly to see if you can implement the critique they gave you after the first 5 min session}. You would then sign a "participation card" that is turnt into the State for proof of attendance. The cost to an individual ref is "time and gas"; the benefits are better mechanics and visibility. No pay is given, but they did have Gatorade in big ole ice chest for us.

[ODog]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

Our state mandated "mechanics meeting" is conducted with classroom instruction and a freebie scrimmage
The set-up is two freshman and two varsity teams placed in two separate gymnasia at one high school. Each crew of refs works 2 x 5 min periods ...

This must take forever! How many people are in your board/association?

Or is the scrimmage optional?

I'm not saying this is a bad idea at all (in fact, something in this form is probably needed everywhere); just seems it would take a LONG time if every member were required to participate.