Originally Posted by Dad (Post 987979)

State has three major assigners that do the majority of everything. They also are the ones who have most say in who gets the big playoff games. If that's how your system works then there's nothing you can do about it, but I think it hurts officials growth(in one aspect of the game, albeit to some not important).

In the playoffs I'd say the most difficult part is getting crews on the same page. Most of the time everything goes smoothly, but there are games where 50% of my effort tries to go into getting the crew on the same page instead of just enjoying what I'm doing. Almost every time, it's because there's an official there that doesn't know how to mold to a crew outside of their buddies they've been officiating with all season. Don't get me wrong, at that level every official is good in their own right, but I want the game to run smoothly. When you start out with Betsy calling dink fouls and Robert letting flagrants go it's irritating.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 987976)

I work about 80% of my games where one of my partners is the same person.

It's comfortable, sure, but I quite enjoy when I'm paired with people I haven't worked with before or not too often.

I disagree with the whole "pregame will fix it" nonsense, though. You can't take someone who won't blow a whistle and get him to blow it with some magical words 30 minutes before gametime.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 987980)

Same page or your page? There's a difference.

Originally Posted by Dad (Post 987981)

You've also been doing this for a very long time and know how to work with people you've never met before. It's an art and some officials put off or never learn how to do it.

I've always found a good pregame to be important. Even if it's to warm people up to each other. I wouldn't call it nonsense. While it obviously won't fix everything, it's always made my officiating experience far more enjoyable. I understand it's not for everyone and don't expect it. For me, it's just part of my game. Half the battle is sizing up your partners and knowing what to talk about. If someone is checked out then I'm clearing doing it wrong.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 987984)

For me, it's still the first few whistles that really tell me what I need to know. But a good pregame doesn't hurt anyone, I'll agree.

I love working with other officials. I wish our system had more individual assignments here and fewer done by crews.

Originally Posted by Dad (Post 987979)

Almost every time, it's because there's an official there that doesn't know how to mold to a crew outside of their buddies they've been officiating with all season. Don't get me wrong, at that level every official is good in their own right, but I want the game to run smoothly. When you start out with Betsy calling dink fouls and Robert letting flagrants go it's irritating.