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I worked a fairly large tournament this weekend for 5th and 6th grade girls. One of the games was very close, but play was sloppy and rough. By the time the 4th period came around, many of the girls had been or were in tears. The coaches on one side were very rude, and the same teams fans/parents were very vocal and rude. It affected the kids, and I felt for them. One girl was rattled enough that she scored in the wrong basket, breaking a tie with under two minutes to go. Partner had also called a T on a player late in the game.
An interesting thing happened after the game. Another official came in to give one of us a break. I had just done two games, and my partner did not opt out, so I said I'd sit. When it was apparent there would be a switch, the crowd cheered, but it turned to jeers of "You took the wrong guy out!" when I sat down. I was later told I did a good job with a bad situation. This coming from game management and some observers of the game from other teams. In the end, I still felt disappointed for the girls on both sides. I think I did what I could, but still feel a bit guilty for how it played out. I would like to hear from anyone who has dealt with this type of thing. I may be able to learn something that can help me handle it better next time. Thanks, JH |
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In short, we have all dealt with this sort of thing. If you are new to officiating, congrats on taking on this challenge. I can't tell by your profile so I assume you haven't been doing this very long.
5th/6th grade basketball is instructional, not competitive. Remember fans and most coaches at this level are normally as new to organized sports as their budding athletes. A good ref at this level is just as quick to help the players and parents learn the game as they are to enforce the rules. Deal with fans only as a last resort. Get the tournament management involved if you think the fan behavior is unsporting. Coach behavior, on the other hand, is your responsibility. Coach behavior is fairly well defined by rule. Brush up on the rules and don't be afraid to enforce them. And may I suggest that you don't put much stock in what the crowd thinks about you as a referee or you will have a very short career indeed. There's only one person on the floor who's on your team - your partner. Discuss the game with him or her and learn from the mistakes. Good luck! |
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Coaches were rude? How many T did you call against them?
Coaches feed the fans and the players. Stop the coaches dead in their tracks and you will have a better game. [Edited by RecRef on Mar 15th, 2004 at 12:53 PM] |
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Somehow we need to find a way to remind the parents that people who end up being stars on TV, did it through hard work, long hours and a great deal of trial and error. And it's Little Ashley, not the parents, who must have the passion. Doesn't matter how important it is to the parents, if the kid wants to play the violin instead, the FT% just isn't going to go up. I've seen it so many times, I want to put it on a bumper sticker: Dad, Mom, Coach, as long as you keep blaming the refs, your kid's game ain't gonna get better. |
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Sometimes the adults take all the fun out of it for the kids. Whether it is a parent or a coach, some (a minority), treat it like the national championship. Most of these kids just want to play. Few will even remember or care who wins. I have lots of personal rules I try to adhere to at this level the most important which is..."never call traveling on the smallest girl on the court as she is about to put up a shot. It might be her only basket of the season". I explain things to them when appropriate, and if a coach gets out of hand, I'll remind them that this is for the kids. If that doesn't work, an important point to remember is the coaches are coaching 5th grade and not varsity for a reason. Don't instigate, but don't let them distract from the kids fun either. If they don't respond to the comment about it being for the kids, maybe they don't need to be there.
Mregor
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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. |
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"... 2. Please cheer for your child, but refrain from yelling at them. During games, please realize I will be instructing them, so please dont compete with me for their attention. Please be encouraging and cheer for both teams, but dont yell instructions. Thats my job. Thanks. 3. Please dont yell at the referees. Again, thats my job . 4. Please remember that each kid is expected to learn from the coaching staff, the officials, and the games themselves. Supported by you, they have the responsibility to be open for learning. Blaming others for problems is not a way to learn."
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It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! - Friedrich Nietzsche - |
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foulbuster |
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I swear, Gus, you'd argue with a possum. It'd be easier than arguing with you, Woodrow. Lonesome Dove |
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I swear, Gus, you'd argue with a possum. It'd be easier than arguing with you, Woodrow. Lonesome Dove |
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The competitiveness of the game should depend on what kind of ball is being played. If its a rec league, than its mostly instructional, where as if its a rep team, its gonna be competitve. I recently did a game of 5-6 graders, in a rep game, and those girls could've kicked the crap out of the 7-8 graders rec team, and it was a good competivie game. The final score ended up being 30-29., and i had all good coaches.
Point of the post, it can be competitive.
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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups |
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My partner will stop the game in order to teach the kids something about basketball. Whether it be how to set a legal screen or to explain how the 3 second count works.
I could never do this as i don't have the patience for it, but he was a coach for years, and he does a good job at it.
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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups |
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Intrinsic motivation. The whole point of having kids play rec ball is to keep them active and get them interested in the sport or activity. If they are playing to get better, they're more likely to stay with a sport than if they're playing to win.
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"To win the game is great. To play the game is greater. But to love the game is the greatest of all." |
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