Last week I was working a Boys JV game. After the game I showered and came out to watch the first half of the Varsity game. I am standing next to one of the home schools game administrators(who was in charge of the officials for the night) and this older guy comes over, I have no idea who he is. He starts by saying he has never seen such a poorly officiated game, especially me. He then proceeds to tell me that he is a graduate of the Home school, that won, but was obviously there rooting for the visiting.

My question for everyone is when you are doing the prelim game do you stick around and watch the Varsity game? If you do where do you sit to watch the game.

I was dumbfounded that someone would have the guts to come up to me and say that, that I didn't reply to him.

What would you have said in that situation if it occurred to you? One suggestion from one of the varsity officials was to get his name and offer to sign him up to officiate if he didn't like the way I did it.

Thanks.

absolutely our JV guys stick around
 

Yes we want our JV guys to stick around or if I am doing a JV game I certainly stick around....Where to watch the game from varies from gym to gym, but we try to go to an "isolated" area of the gym where we can talk about the game we are watching. Sometimes it isn't possible. I agree with politely pointing out what nights your meetings are on, and inviting the gentleman to attend. However, game management should have interceded in this case as well...

Game management person was just as stunned as I was and right after he said this the varsity officials were heading back to the locker room so I went with them. As we were going the game management person told the fan to get back in the stands and if there was anything else from the fan they were going to kick him out. I think the problem was that both of us couldn't believe he was doing this.

Especially when I first started, but still on the occasions when I work sub-varsity contests, I made/make every effort to watch at least a portion of the varsity contest. Where I sit/stand depends on the logistics in the gym. I like to be near a game administrator (as you were), just in case something happens like what happens to you.

I think you were wise not to engage him. Others here will probably come up with clever and witty things to say, but I think there's nothing to gain other than making yourself feel clever and witty. Not worth it to me. If there *is* anything to say, I agree that something simple like: "I did my best. I'd have no objection to your becoming an official if you can do it better. You can register at ..." Still, I think silence is the best answer. My $.02.

game management needs some work
 

Well it sounds like the game management did what they were supposed to, but it wouldn't hurt for them to be more aware, they should be somewhat prepared for this type of situation LOL

Clever and witty are usually gas on the fire. What I have done is to listen for about three sentences, look the person right in the eye, say "Thank you" pleasantly and then turn and walk quickly away. Where I usually watch a game from is directly benind the score table. If someone like this is bothering you, sit closer to the home bench. Generally if there's a stat person there, they can find a game administrator for you.

I disagree with you Juulie. Not because you are not partly right, but that might not fit everyone's personality. I probably would make a smart *** comment without the person realizing it was a smart *** comment. That is my personality. If someone wants to come up to me, inside the gym to talk about my officiating I probably would say something. You have to read the situation and where you are at and the way the person is approaching you. Are they angry? Are they sarcastic? Are they trying to preach with an audience? All those things can factor in for me.

I also think that that GM in this situation might have been caught off guard here. I would not blame them because this guy was a jerk. They did not tell the guy to approach you. He cannot follow you around all game long to make sure no one says anything. You just have to prepare yourself for people approaching you from time to time in these situations. If you work tournaments or summer league games, this is going to happen more than you think. You have to figure out way to get out of it. But I think just not saying anything is not always the best thing. Sometimes they just want to get a rise out of you and if you ignore their statement they might get more upset.

Just my two cents on the issue.

Peace

I usually find an isolated corner and do my stretching while watching the game or games after mine. I also make sure I change clothes to make it less obvious who I am. Finally, you might want to try to get your partner to stick around and watch. Its nice to have someone else there to compare notes with and also there's strength in numbers as they say.

Davism for that - "Thanks. Coming from a real expert like you, that means a lot."

"Thanks" works.

Or just look 'em in the eye and say nothing.

Don't explain, comment or discuss anything.

If they want to get loud take out your cell phone & call the cops.

If your cell phone has a camera take their picture.

You said exactly what you should have said to him...nothing. I am a little surprised that the administrator did what he did. I'd go back to that place again anytime to officiate. Good job!

Calmly ask,"Where do you work sir?" "Tomorrow I'll be there and without ANY knowledge of how to do your job, I'll tell you what a poor job you are doing." :D

I think the moral of the story is to do what works for you. What you are and who you are will make a difference. If you are 6'8 and 250, I guarantee you will can and behave differently if you are 5'2 and 140 pounds. I know because of who I am very few people ever approach me in a disrespectful manner. They might ask me a question, but the preface it most of the time.

Peace

LOL Good idea!

Boldness!
 

Absolutely stick around for the varsity match-up. I used to set behind the scorer - that way I could see the reporting of the officials and here the same communication as the scorers did. It is my biggest regret (so far) about working varsity - I no longer get to buy a hot dog, a drink, and watch a well officiated game to mellow after my own.

I rarely had problems that couldn't be solved with a smile and some light conversation. Don't act defensive; that just incites the fight. "Yeah, that was a tough one." "You know, I didn't like that call very well either." "Yeah, that one got everybody excited didn't it?"

As for a response to direct confrontation...

Either take it with a grain of salt - The guy is obviously not an official and surely not an evaluator. So just smile, laugh, "If you think that one was bad, you should have seen my last game!" Who cares what he thinks? You, of all people, should not.

Or facetiously accept him as the valid evaluator he is trying to tell you that he is. "Really? Where and what level of games do you work?" "Give me some specific things to work on." "What did you think of this play where ... and I was kind of screened ... and I came up with ...?" "Why?" "Well, that sounds kind of like an emotional response. I need some hard factual things to work with here. Not just you didn't like the call. Why was the call wrong? To what rule should I refer?" Flatten his sails. Now you can say, "You obviously haven't got a clue. But I do know that if you continue to harass me, this gentleman right here (administrator) will be happy, and probably very excited, to escort your ignorant butt out-ta-here!"

I like the first one better. It takes them off guard when you agree with them. And again, who cares? He's an idiot.

Stay and watch the varsity game. It's a fast, cheap way to improve. Soemtimes you can help them out too. Several are the times in our association that we've had to have the JV official re-dress and finish for an injured Varsity dude.

Cheers :D