SOAPBOX!!!

[just another ref]

Intensity, to me, is something that is created within the game. A 5A state championship game can open with a 27-2 run by one side and slide downhill from there. The first JV girls game of the season can be nip and tuck from the start and be settled by 2 free throws with no time on the clock. Which is more intense? I will do games this week from 9-10 year old to varsity. The most important game to me is THE GAME I AM CALLING NOW. Any rating which results from any game should take care of itself.

[zebra44]

Right on, jimgolf.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by blindzebra
A big 8th grade game is MUCH harder to work than a run of the mill varsity game. The better the players the easier it is to call, less funky rules interpretations, coaches know what they are doing, and you have more experienced partners.

At a camp I attended, a guy who had worked some D1 told me that the try-out camp he attended to get into D2 was based on Jr Hi play. Anyone who said, "What kinda crap is this?" didn't get hired. Anyone who asked why, was told, "If you can do this you can do anything."

[tomegun]

Originally posted by totalnewbie
tomegun-

The initials wont help since there are too many officials here (as you know). So the names are Ron Thompson and Rick Massey. More Ron than Rick, though. Ron actually has taken me on the court and worked stuff with me and been at my games specifically to review me. Rick has helped me with other things like who to sit with and watch and what to do to be squared away. Both a real good guys. And I have met a bunch of Varsity guys who have been really great. Too many names to remember. But Ron is probably my primary senior mentor.

I was directed to Ron by both Rick Massey and Mark Ratner (whose kid plays some serious ball, by the way, since you are from down here). I figure if the assignor and the head of the association direct you to the guy you can feel pretty good about that.

If you have any suggestions for me I would be happy to have it.

Clark

Well, well, you seem to be in good company. Ron is part of the "cartel." Tell him you talked to Tom in a discussion board. If you are dealing with Ron you will meet Sam, Wayne, Tre and Riel if you haven't already.

Ratner's kid can really play. It is amazing that one of the most powerful men in boxing is that nice and available.

My suggestion for you is to work and see plays. Once you reach a certain level of understanding do not get satisfied and think you will hear all good stuff. Keep pushing towards that perfect game!

[tomegun]

Originally posted by rainmaker

At a camp I attended, a guy who had worked some D1 told me that the try-out camp he attended to get into D2 was based on Jr Hi play. Anyone who said, "What kinda crap is this?" didn't get hired. Anyone who asked why, was told, "If you can do this you can do anything."

Rainmaker, there is also a D1 conference in your part of the country that has similar circumstances at camp. The assigner lives in Phoenix. You probably know who she is.

[tomegun]

Originally posted by Jimgolf
Re: Intense 8th grade games

Intense for the players and fans does not equal intensity for the refs. Some refs are into this as a career and view each game as an audition. They will never see a lesser game as worthy of them. Some refs are into this because they love basketball and feel that a well-played game is exciting at any level.

If a shot at the buzzer in a close game at any age level doesn't get your blood flowing, I pity you. If this ever happened to me I'd move on to something else. But, to each his own.

I think I fall into both categories. Every game is somewhat of an audition but I'm also a basketball junkie. A typical day for me could be responding to emails from a group of guys about sports debates, look at this board, playing a game in the over-30 league, looking at this board and then doing a game in the evening (on many levels from rec to D2).

Maybe it is all about the word "intense" for me. I just don't feel "intense" in many situations. I can definately tell when the gym is excited but it isn't part of the job description for me to feel the "intensity." That makes me feel like I'm getting caught up in the emotions of the game. I'm not saying anyone else is wrong for feeling different, this is just me.

[blindzebra]

Originally posted by tomegun

Rainmaker, there is also a D1 conference in your part of the country that has similar circumstances at camp. The assigner lives in Phoenix. You probably know who she is.

Marla Denham, Big Sky conference. She has her camp during the Grand Canyon State Games.

[totalnewbie]

Tom-

Yeah, I know Tre and Real (Riel? sp?). I have to say, I have seen Tre twice and I think that guy is a total stud. I would love to have his mechanics. He is so crisp. No that guy is "dialed up."

I was hanging with Rick and Jesus tonite. Those two (and another guy I dont know) had the boys V while I had girls JV in the aux gym (with a super cool female ref named Danielle Collins or Connors. Her dad is a ref too) at Silverado for Silverado/Liberty. In fact, I was talking to Rick about Tre in passing.

I'll tell them I talked to you.

Clark

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by totalnewbie
...with a super cool female ref named Danielle Collins or Connors.

Super cool, Clark?!?! Now you have eliminated any doubt that there might have been about how your bones would carbon date!

[totalnewbie]

Come on, my name is "Clark" for gods sake. I gave up cool long ago. How many people do you know named Clark? Gable and Kent. That is about it. One is a stage name and the other is a fictional character. I'm out here on my own, baby. I couldnt even get the racing car door nameplate for my room door as a kid with "Clark" on it. "Clarence" they had, but no "Clark." Scarred for life.

"C-man" (was that better )

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by totalnewbie
Come on, my name is "Clark" for gods sake. I gave up cool long ago. How many people do you know named Clark? Gable and Kent. That is about it. One is a stage name and the other is a fictional character. I'm out here on my own, baby. I couldnt even get the racing car door nameplate for my room door as a kid with "Clark" on it. "Clarence" they had, but no "Clark." Scarred for life.

"C-man" (was that better )

Wow, I feel for you. At least I will after I stop laughing!

My three boys all have this problem -- Clinton, Copeland and Frank (who goes by his middle name, Mason). No license plates for their trikes, no coffee mugs. Yea, life it tough.

[tomegun]

Originally posted by totalnewbie
Tom-

Yeah, I know Tre and Real (Riel? sp?). I have to say, I have seen Tre twice and I think that guy is a total stud. I would love to have his mechanics. He is so crisp. No that guy is "dialed up."
Clark

Yeah Tre could be the prototype for the idea body of a ref. He is physically gifted and can officiate. Have you seen Riel (correct spelling) work? He is pretty good to, at least the PAC-10 assigner thinks so (since he got a conference game this season). This conversation makes me miss Vegas. Even though there are some great guys here that is home to me. Tell them I said hey. I know all of the guys that you see working varsity unless they got to Vegas in the last two seasons.

I have one more suggestion for you. Accept the jargon of those around/above you instead of making up your own.

[WinterWillie]

Originally posted by totalnewbie
How many people do you know named Clark?

Two, you and Clark Howard. http://clarkhoward.com/
You're not him, are you?

[BBall_Junkie]

Originally posted by totalnewbie
Come on, my name is "Clark" for gods sake. I gave up cool long ago. How many people do you know named Clark? Gable and Kent. That is about it. One is a stage name and the other is a fictional character. I'm out here on my own, baby. I couldnt even get the racing car door nameplate for my room door as a kid with "Clark" on it. "Clarence" they had, but no "Clark." Scarred for life.

"C-man" (was that better )

How about Clark W. Griswold. There is a foumous Clark for ya.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by tomegun
Maybe it is all about the word "intense" for me. I just don't feel "intense" in many situations. I can definately tell when the gym is excited but it isn't part of the job description for me to feel the "intensity." That makes me feel like I'm getting caught up in the emotions of the game. I'm not saying anyone else is wrong for feeling different, this is just me.

Agreed. I get more excited at the anticipation of a big game. I donm't necessarily feel the excitment or intensity of the game once in it. I'm should thinking, "Okay, what's going to happen next? What do we need to do? Do we need to do anything differently?"

Then, when it's over, you can enjoy it.