I think at the root of the discussion is the difference between a lead official (an R) and just a very good official. I have worked for 3 years (around 1000 games total) and the more I work the more I feel I need to work on experience type things, such as handling coaches, unusual situations. Good officials can rise quickly through the ranks, I've seen some go to the college level very quickly, and in my 3rd year I made the state tournament level in HS. There's a big difference between being able to call these types of games, and being able to officiate them. A lead official, a great official, has the ability to not only referee the game, but manage the game and manage the officiating crew in, and ultimately be the guy who is accountable when everything's on the line. These skills can only come with experience and by being mentored by others who have the experience. When I think of an experienced official, I think of someone who, at that level of the game has the skills to be the R. That means an experienced ref at a MS, JV, V, Playoff, JC, D1 or NCAA tourney game has a different skill set.

Leader? Reminds me...

"A good leader is at the front of the line... A great leader is at the back of the line pushing everyone on to do better."

Quite an interesting thread. Two things come to mind:

1) At the camps I recently went to, the clinicians all said the same thing, "The world is filled with U1's and U2's, we want R's" Leadership is a part of officiating. We all have off the court personalities and experiences that affect us on the court. In many cases, I think that the "experienced" official has gained much of that experience off the court and is better able to apply it on the court.

2) Repetition is certainly not the same as experience.
If I do something 1000 times, and keep doing it incorrectly or poorly, I don't think I fit what we mean by "experienced." The most "experienced" officials out there seem to be the ones that are best at taking whatever experiences they have an translating them into useable learning tools.

SM,

Lead official won't always be the R, though. Might have a crew of officials with similar levels of experience (years/games) but one of the officials has a better court presence when it comes to dealing with the coaches, players, etc. He might not be designated as the R, but he will display an 'R-like' presence on the court which can affect the whole atmosphere of the game. I sometimes think this is more important depending on the game, team matchups, stuff like that.

Hmmmm....a great leader doesn't often need to 'push' anyone.

It's a good concept. I've also seen games where two or three officials are all acting like R's and stepping all over each other. You also have to know when to jump in the passenger seat, IMHO. There are a couple vet guys I ref with where I'm assigned as the R, yet I occasionally let them handle something that is an R function. It keeps them happy and isn't any skin off my nose.

Z

Z brings up yet another good point. Part of being a good leader is knowing when to step aside and let others take charge. I certainly feel that the only thing worse than three guys who want to control everything is three guys who can't control anything. I have seen a few games, especially at camp, where people are trying to do a bit too much and they just end up looking bad.

How can you lead from the rear? Wouldn't you then be following? :confused:

"If the people would lead, the leaders would follow."

This is what you get for paraphasing my quote. It said "... a great leader is at the rear pushing everyone on to do better."

You can either be at the front of the line just refereeing your game and getting out of the gym. Or you can be at the back pushing everyone in front of you to do better by giving them tips and working with them to help them out. You can be at the back of the line encouraging everyone else and letting them get the credit and spotlight while you're content with yourself in the back.

The quote really had nothing to do with refereeing, was a part of a speech I heard, and whoever's post up there reminded me of it, so I thought I'd share. It was at a National Honor Society ceremony, maybe the intelligence level here isn't able to comprehend. :D

j/k

Zebra, great call.

I remember when i first started they were really pushing the younger officials staying and watching the Varsity game after they do the JV game.

And with my big mouth, I asked in the association meeting. Why would you want me to stay and watch a Varsity game when most of there mech were worse than mine.

I still believe that playing the game really helps you understand the game.

I think you really have to be careful with who you watch and who you learn from.

Hey, don't start dissing squirrels. If you're not respectful, they'll come to your house and fill your closets with acorns!

Acorns? Mmmmmm..... Tasty...... :D

The reason you watch officials regardless of their experience level is to learn something. Not necessarily to learn directly from the officials in a positive way. You also need to see bad officials as well. You can learn who is good and why, and who is bad and why. You also can figure out why certain officials advance and why others have a long way to go.

Peace

Hmmm, well after careful consideration, I still think the quote is a complete load of ... utter nonsense.

A leader is, has always been, and will always be, that person who is out in front doing things others only talk about. Sometimes leaders succeed, sometimes leaders fail, but leaders try.

A leader can teach from knowledge and experience that others do not have. That knowledge and experience was not gained lurking at the back, pushing others. It was gained by being out there doing.

A leader draws us after him because we recognize his example as worthy of emulation. The leader gets our attention because he is already doing the things we come to realize we ought to be doing.

A leader is not a hero or a glory hound. Praise and attention often fall upon leaders because others recognize their greatness. But a leader is also selfless, humble and willing to share the spotlight.

The guy at the back, pushing others to get better is not a leader, he is a manager. Never confuse the two. The leader is the one showing you how to do it better. The manager is the one asking why you didn't do it better. Beware the manager.