I have an important evaluation coming up on Monday, and I have been going back through my little notebook, which I write in after each game or set of games. I have a question about how to work with a partner. The guy I will be working with on Monday is pretty good, and I'm not worried about how we will get along. But I had a situation last week which I'd like to avoid in an eval, if possible.

The problem was that because we were switching on every foul, and several fouls in a row were under the basket, I eneded up calling about six fouls in a row. The big problem was that the three in a row on team A were all on the same girl. They were all good hard fouls, and I can't say that I regret any of them, although I took a lot of heat from the coach. But it does look bad, doesn't it? Is there a way for partners to work together to keep this from appearing like a vendetta? Do we not switch once? Or does he call one of them from outside? Do I need to tip him off as we pass on the floor? Or if I'm the partner, do I ask if he wants me to something in particular?

We work three man, so it's a little different. But our booking supervisor has told me that if I get into a sitaution that has me calling several fouls in a row, like when a team is fouling at the end of a game, make an "unnatural switch." Get out of the position where you're making every call. it's easy in three man because you can rotate along the baseline, even if it's not ncessary, just to make the switch. You may want to ask your supervisor how he would handle this sitch.

But if you're switching on every foul, how did you end up calling 6 fouls in a row under the basket?

1)under team A basket, then switch, B rebounds, 2)under B basket, then switch, A rebounds, 3)under A basket, then switch etc.

Stop calling fouls and give your partner a chance. :D

I've seen worse
 

Not necessarily worse, but . . .

In a game about 1 month ago, it seemed like one official (boys' JV) was always coming over to the table. I checked with the scorer, who said that it was the same official each time. The second official didn't call a foul until the 3rd quarter - and we had reached bonus at least one way in the first half!

Juulie - this happens from time to time and I understand your concern about the appearance. However, you cannot artificially switch just because you are "worried" you may have to call another foul.

First of all, if you do this, it is the same as letting a coach intimidate or work you, even though you may not see it that way. What is happening is that you are afraid of criticism for doing exactly what you are supposed to do - call fouls when they occur.

Second, always remember that you do not foul anybody. You just watch the game and inform the scorer when a player commits a foul. If you are worried about calling too many fouls against one team on one end, then the cure would be to stop calling fouls when they occur - not just to work the other end of the court. I'm sure you wouldn't want to do that.

Third, there is no rule in the book of which I am aware that says our job is to make sure there is an equal number of fouls called on both teams or an equal number called by each official. As long as you and your partner are making calls consistently based on the amount and nature of contact, you are doing your job correctly.

Sometimes, the game just goes the way the game just goes.

Continue to switch on all fouls (unless your association
doesn't switch on long fouls of course). The point here is
that if someone is coming out to see you then you need
to demonstrate *perfect* mechanics. As for this sequence,
in 2 man it's difficult to get yourself out of the "flow"
by making an unnatural switch, as Tony suggests for 3 man.
If you had 6 good fouls that you were proud of then don't
let any coach back you down, keep making those calls
and your evaluator will be very proud of you when you
do! Believe me, he'll probably give you an earful if your
explanation for *not* switching is because you didn't
want to call another foul!

Bottom line: there's really nothing you could have
done to avoid calling 3 in a row on this player,
other than spend an afternoon with her explaining the
differences between basketball & football. Keep doing
what you're doing!

Mark & Dan are absolutely correct- Quit playing head games with youself -Just get out there and call it! If you try to set up some artificial situation just to impress an evaluator the only person you will be fooling is yourself- I Have evaluated for many years and officials who try to keep things even etc. etc. are obvious and rarely get ahead - an evaluation day should be no different than any other game. The best evaluations are done when the official is healthy ,working a top game for his/her level and is NOT AWARE he/she is being evaluated. That's how I do most of mine.
Good Luck -don't worry and work hard plus use the correct mechanics- Look good and hustle!!!

I appreciate what you have all said. My concern is that I have heard people (who do levels of ball much higher than I do) say things like, Whatever you do, don't call a foul on the same player three times in a row. and If you call two fouls on one team, be sure the next one is on the other team. and Be sure if you catch a player once, your partner catches them next time. and Be sure you and your partner are calling about an equal number of fouls.

I feel more comfortable with what you-all are saying and it makes more sense. And usually I think the appearance of unbalance or of bias is not an accurate view. But I've heard all this other stuff and I wonder, is this because in 3-whistle it's easier to make this work? Or it's more appropriate for varsity than freshman? What am I missing here?

All those people are WRONG!!! Call it as you see it!!! If you don't get out of these mind games you will have to get out of the game!!!

Agree with Peter....
 

You need to call the game as YOU see it!

As long as you have taken the time to learn the rules and proper mechanics, you have to enter the game knowing that you are in control of YOU. I have noticed that you are trying to "adopt" many different philosphies. Again, get a mental toughness that does not allow others to "play mind games with you." As I have told you earlier; it is JUST a game and we, as officials, do all that we can, but we are gonna miss one every once in a while.

Keep studying (building your knowledge) and keep calling them (applying your knowledge)!

Professionalism should overrule any appearance of bias!

juulie,

When you hear the veterans talking about not calling multiple fouls in a row on a player or team, they are probably meaning that if there is a double whistle situation, where you both have the same call, give it up to the official who has not been making several calls in a row. You must call the game and the fouls regardless. There will be times where you have a partner who will not blow the whistle under and circumstances, so you will have to look like the bad guy. In these situations, the coaches and evaluators will see what is happening and understand.

Evaluators, yes! Coaches, I doubt it! :)

Re: Agree with Peter....
 

Willie-
I'm not trying to adopt any particular philosophy, I'm just trying to develop one of my own. I have never done any sports at all and have never really thought about a lot of this stuff, so I'm trying it all on for size. I don't necessarily agree with anything I'm posting, I'm just trying to see what different people think so that I can see what all the different ideas are. This is the way I do things in general. I has been a real learning experience for me to learn by doing instead of by reading.

I agree with what you say about mind games, and I know I have a tendency to fall into this trap. I"m trying to get over it and have the mental toughness you talk about. I'll get there and probably sooner because of your advice, and the encouragement of others. Thanks!!

Stuff like this happens. Think about this...
(1) Were they good calls? If so, don't worry.
(2) Were the calls in your area? If so, don't worry.

If any of the calls had a double whistle (I know that's hard with 2-man, have your partner take one.


Had boys varisty game last year where I was primary on 6 straight "block/charge" situations. I felt each call was right on the money. The problem was each call went against the home team. It just happens.
Keep up the good work.

ok juulie - here's the bottom line
 

As we both know, there are some "unwritten rules" in some associations. Usually these are passed on by some "veteran" officials and are things they think an official should do if they want to move up. These include some of the things you mentioned, like not calling a bunch of fouls in a row against the same team or player even if they are the right calls, not calling a foul late in the game unless reconstructive surgery is involved, not calling an over and back if the defensive player hit the ball off the offensive player to cause it to go into the backcourt, waiting to see if a shot goes in before blowing the whistle for a foul and then only calling it if the shot misses, not calling 3 seconds if the player in the lane "isn't involved in the play" (I'm still trying to figure out this one), calling fouls when there was a reach with no contact, etc.

This means you have to make a decision. If it is more important for you to "go along" with this nonsense just to move up, then go ahead and do that. However, if you feel it is more important to call games according to the rules regardless of what "veterans" tell you, then do that and realize that in your association, you may not move up.

Someday, all officials will call games consistently from start to finish and they will call them according to the rules. Someday, all officials will work to change a rule with which they disagree, instead of modifying it to their own taste. Someday, officials will move up the ladder based on their ability, not on politics.

And someday - pigs will fly.

Re: ok juulie - here's the bottom line
 

And I hear the temprature in Hell has dropped to just below freezing!

Re: ok juulie - here's the bottom line
 

Mark this is an excellent post but I don't think that Juulie
will need to make a decision today or that she'll wake up
one day and referee by a different philosophy. At her
level (first year?) there is no reason what-so-ever for
her to concern herself with how things are "expected" to be
done in her area. She just needs to perfect her mechanics
& rules understanding. As she develops, her style will
be influenced by what's "expected". If she can incorporate
them then she *might* move up faster. It seems by her most
recent post (T'ed up an aggreessive coach) that she's
making excellent strides.

Agree with Dan- It's too bad you can't get into a better association, From what I'm reading about your more advanced peers that you are listening to-they have a real problem with their own head games. If I ever had to think of so many variables in order to make a call I would have quit 39 years ago. Call what you see and leave it at that. Keep improving your rules Knowledge/ Mechanics-especially floor position on all your calls-hustle- be Friendly- Firm- and Fair and you should do fine. Find better mentors.
Good Luck!!

There are really only two associations in this area. One is the "main" association that does all high school games. This is Juulie's association. The other is in the suburbs and does only rec games, so you see, she is in the "right" association for what she wants to do.

BTW - the commissioner of her association has been around since before dirt was invented, is a legend around here, is omnipotent and is a former long time member of the NF rules committee - so pretty much you do what he wants or you are OUT!

And you have filled me in on what those are, and I appreciate the advice!! I plan on doing well tonight and don't expect a lot of difficulties -- and if there are any I am in a frame of mind to handle them well.

About politics, one advantage I have is that I am female. It appears that I can avoid some of the "competition", because my genes are in demand. I'm not going to use that against anybody, but I don't see why I can't take full advantage of it. Howard treats me a little condescendingly, but who cares? If coaches are asking for women refs, (and players BTW) and Howard thinks I'm okay, then I'll get to move up next year.

Peter, you are right about finding a good mentor. How does one decide who a good mentor would be? What do I look for?

[Edited by rainmaker on Feb 12th, 2001 at 02:59 PM]

Finding a Good Mentor
 

Rainmaker,
In your case I would look for a successful female official who has progressed well in the past 6-10 years. There are some very good ones out there whether they are in your area I don't know. Failing that go to your regional supervisor and ask him/her to recommend someone who is very experienced, not just a level or so above you, because I believe that is where you are getting some of these bad ideas of making things even etc Once you get that good mentor drain all the ideas you can from that person and treat the other so called advisors with a grain of salt.
It may cost you a couple of beers once in a while but it will be well worth it and you will gain a friend for life-besides it appeals to their egos and they usually love to follow and assist in their proteges progress.
Go for it!!