Fun With Out Of Bounds …

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I don't doubt it. Of course you can, you already change systems from night to night as you change from college games to high school games, and maybe even from Illinois high school games to Indiana high school games. Flexibility is a valuable asset. It's part of what makes you a great basketball official.

But the high school only guys that I work with, especially the young'uns I often work with in my middle school games, lack that flexibility (and greatness). If they have problems knowing if the basketball is stuffed, or inflated, how are they going to smoothly and successfully switch from IAABO mechanics to NFHS mechanics from one game to the next, and one partner to the next, especially in bang bang out of bonds plays, that should be reflexive, and almost automatic.

Officiating is officiating. All those levels and organizations you mentioned do practically the same things across the board. Hardly any variations or differences in philosophies. The main difference is the partners you work with and what they may or may not bring to the table in experience or knowledge.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Officiating is officiating ... The main difference is the partners you work with and what they may or may not bring to the table in experience or knowledge.

Also keep in mind that the way one moves up the ladder (or down the ladder) here in my little corner of 100% IAABO Connecticut is 100% based on evaluations. Evaluations by partners, and more importantly, evaluations by a select committee.

One of the five areas evaluated is mechanics, defined as utilizing proper mechanics, and up-to-date techniques and procedures as detailed in the IAABO Officials Manual, and there is no, "lead takes the entire sideline", anywhere in the IAABO Officials Manual.

If one "steps out of line", one takes a chance on getting poor evaluations and on being exiled to subvarsity hell.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Also keep in mind that the way one moves up the ladder (or down the ladder) here in my little corner of 100% IAABO Connecticut is 100% based on evaluations. Evaluations by partners, and more importantly, evaluations by a select committee.

One of the five areas evaluated is mechanics, defined as utilizing proper mechanics, and up-to-date techniques and procedures as detailed in the IAABO Officials Manual, and there is no, "lead takes the entire sideline", anywhere in the IAABO Officials Manual.

If one "steps out of line", one takes a chance on getting poor evaluations and on being exiled to subvarsity hell.

And this is different than what? We are evaluated by many things as well. Many more things I can mention here without confusing everyone. Following rules and mechanics are also asked of us as well. And following procedures that have been laid out helps you as well. Nothing special here. But is a premium that you can referee and not follow some book procedures and only those book procedures. There are officials that are used to working certain levels of ball that cannot handle higher levels of talent. They have tried to get away from just putting anyone on games they are not used to working and getting diversity in other areas as well. It is deeper than a single evaluation here.

We were 3 person only for all playoff games, so there is nothing that has the lead having any sideline coverage. You mostly see 2 person at the lower level. The lead only has the endline.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Following rules and mechanics are also asked of us as well. And following procedures that have been laid out helps you as well. But is a premium that you can referee and not follow some book procedures and only those book procedures.

Imagine if an official had it all, book smarts, and court smarts?

All kinds of smarts.

That would be one heluva good official.

They do exist. Black swans.

We have a few, not a lot, but a few.

Agree with JRutledge. First and foremost, one has to be able to officiate the game.

Other stuff is the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of the hot fudge sundae.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... mostly see 2 person at the lower level.

I'm in Connecticut. We see two person at all levels, almost all the time, right up to (but not including) the state quarterfinals.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I'm in Connecticut. We see two person at all levels, almost all the time, right up to (but not including) the state quarterfinals.

State quarterfinals up are all three person.

We have six local boards here in Connecticut. Only one, in the richest part of the state, has convinced coaches, athletic directors, and principals that three person is needed for many, but not all games.

The other five local boards will occasionally use three person for big rivalry matchups. Here in my little corner of Connecticut, coaches, athletic directors, and principals can't make up their minds if they want three person, or two person for conference (league) post season finals, they change their mind from year to year, possibly trying to keep the camel from putting his nose under the tent.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

That would be one heluva good official. First and foremost, one has to be able to officiate the game. Other stuff is the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of the hot fudge sundae.

Reaction time, intestinal fortitude, confidence, poise, consistency, judgment, cooperation (team work), proper application of the rules, rules knowledge, mechanics (and signals), appearance and conditioning, game management, et al.