Foul reporting mechanics

[BoomerSooner]

First, thank you for the mechanics update. This may be my last year any of my son’s play basketball so I’ll probably end up in a camp or two to address what I’ve missed.

I think part of why this bugs me is that one of my first partners drilled in to me that the little things matter. He never made me feel bad about my judgement calls. Question them, yes but from a spirit of growth. He said judgement comes with time, but the little things are what show professionalism and helps build credibility. The game that finally pushed me to ask was my son’s middle school game this weekend. Admittedly it’s a lower level and probably newer officials, but both officials were reporting fouls from the end line in a couple of cases while holding the ball with players surrounding them lining up for free throws. I could the scorer was having difficulty keeping up with it at times.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

... middle school game this weekend ... probably newer officials, but both officials were reporting fouls from the end line in a couple of cases while holding the ball with players surrounding them lining up for free throws.

Sounds like they also didn't switch on fouls either, typical of "relaxed mechanics".

For over twenty-five years I worked a Catholic middle school league. Assignments were usually double, triple, or quadruple-headers. Six minute periods. Assigner wanted games to start on the "hour", or as close as possible.

While the assigner was strict about officials uniforms (no shorts or sweat pants) and all-black shoes, officials "hustling", coach behavior, and player "fashion" uniform and equipment issues, he allowed for "relaxed mechanics". Only switch when convenient, report from the free throw line, bounce the ball across the lane, no pregame coach/captains meeting.

In no way would any of this be even close to acceptable in assignments from our high school (and public middle school) assignment commissioner. No way would one be "moving up the ladder" if evaluated while doing such "relaxed mechanics", even if just a few of them.

Bottom line, do what one's assigner expects of one.

[JRutledge]

Control the things you can control. If your partners are not doing something, might want to have a deeper pre-game about that part. Otherwise not much you can do if they are doing their own thing.

Peace