Game Management?

[reed.greg]

Originally posted by Rita C
I'm relatively new to reffing basketball. This is my second year. I've umpired baseball for six years.

I sit in on the halftime talk between varsity partners and listen. I hear them say things like, "Team A has 9 fouls and team B has 2. We need to even that up." "Find something to call in the first few minutes to let the coaches know you are watching."

Is this my imagination or a valuable game management tool in basketball?

Rita

I pose that you are wise to think that something can be gained from observation. This should be the focus, not adding fouls to even-it-out. If I know the foul count when I get to the half in a soccer match you may here something like this in a conversation with my assistants. With a foul count 9-2, are you seeing something I am not? Did I miss anything? Have my fouls been fair? Have you noticed any feeback, verbal or by action, that says the team with 9 fouls is unhappy with the fairness of the game. This approach puts attention to correcting any problems you may have created, not just trying to save face or appease a coach.