The Official Forum  

Go Back   The Official Forum > Basketball

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old Tue Aug 02, 2005, 11:48am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 79
I'm new to this profession and I understand, at least in this area (Michigan), that the assignor only schedules for Freshman, JV and Varsity games. If this is the standard protocol in your areas, how do officials get assignments for your area middle school games? I'll probably get some freshman games but don't care if I do middle school as well. Anything that will get me experience.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Tue Aug 02, 2005, 11:59am
Do not give a damn!!
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: On the border
Posts: 30,463
In my state you can get middle school games from anywhere and everywhere. Some are assigned by a HS/college assignor. Some are assigned by the ADs of the school. Some are assigned by one official who is not normally an assignor. Some are assigned through an association. Every way you can get a HS game, is not much different when it comes to picking up middle school games. The major difference is HS/college assignors usually do not have to go out and "hustle" for officials to work those games. Most middle school assignors have to let officials know they are even assigning these games. Most officials are not trying to work a lot of middle school games.

Peace
__________________
Let us get into "Good Trouble."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Charles Michael “Mick” Chambers (1947-2010)
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old Tue Aug 02, 2005, 12:07pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 481
My chapter works for 5 different assignors. Two do boys varsity scheduling (one does A and AA, the other does AAA and AAAA games), 1 does girls varsity, 1 does middle school boys and girls, 1 does 5th and 6th grade rec leagues. Ask your fellow officials who the assignors are and contact them. They will give you an idea of what you need to do to get games from them.
__________________
I only wanna know ...
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old Tue Aug 02, 2005, 03:45pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 377
Call (or email) the Middle School athletic office and ask who assigns the basketball officials. This is the best way, even for high schools if you aren't sure.
__________________
Luther
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old Wed Aug 03, 2005, 12:14pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 778
Quote:
Originally posted by Rizzo21
I'm new to this profession and I understand, at least in this area (Michigan), that the assignor only schedules for Freshman, JV and Varsity games. If this is the standard protocol in your areas, how do officials get assignments for your area middle school games? I'll probably get some freshman games but don't care if I do middle school as well. Anything that will get me experience.
I would guess that the schools do it themselves. I would call a couple and ask and if that is the case and you want to work send a short letter to each middle school AD and introduce yourself and relay your willingness to work. This is how I got started and I believe I shaved several years off the 'ladder' by being proactive rather than reactive.
__________________
Church Basketball "The brawl that begins with a prayer"
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old Wed Aug 03, 2005, 12:38pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 9,466
Send a message via AIM to rainmaker
Ask your high school assignor. He/She will know for sure.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old Wed Aug 03, 2005, 03:47pm
In Memoriam
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Houghton, U.P., Michigan
Posts: 9,953
Quote:
Originally posted by Rizzo21
I'm new to this profession and I understand, at least in this area (Michigan), that the assignor only schedules for Freshman, JV and Varsity games. If this is the standard protocol in your areas, how do officials get assignments for your area middle school games? I'll probably get some freshman games but don't care if I do middle school as well. Anything that will get me experience.
The HS AD's often do it U.P. where you live, Rizzo21.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old Thu Aug 04, 2005, 08:27pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Just this side of crazy
Posts: 323
You can also ask your local association. In our area they have websites with information on who the assignors are.
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old Thu Aug 04, 2005, 11:54pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Dallas
Posts: 139
If you want to do Middle School games, I bet ya no one is going to tell you no.

Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old Fri Aug 05, 2005, 09:40am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 79
Quote:
Originally posted by KingTripleJump
If you want to do Middle School games, I bet ya no one is going to tell you no.

Well, I'm looking for experience. I assume by the tone of your statement that it's not hard to get games at middle school games. I suspect it's not the greatest place to hone yourself when you are looking to get to varsity some day. Do you think it may actually hurt more than help in some cases?

I'm confident the assignor will get me some sub-varsity games but I'm not sure how many and I'd like to stay busy. I should find out soon as girls (still) play in the Fall here in Michigan.

Thanks for all the suggestions...
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old Fri Aug 05, 2005, 12:02pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Western Mass.
Posts: 9,105
Send a message via AIM to ChuckElias
Quote:
Originally posted by Rizzo21
I suspect it's not the greatest place to hone yourself when you are looking to get to varsity some day. Do you think it may actually hurt more than help in some cases?
Rizzo, almost everybody starts with these kinds of games. You get out of them what you put in. If you go into the games simply to get paid and get out, then you will develop bad habits and you will never improve your judgment.

On the other hand, if you work on your mechanics, if you insist on switching after every foul, if you work on improving one thing each game, then middle school games are a great place to improve without the pressure of HS games.

Go out, work hard, see plays. Good luck this fall.
__________________
Any NCAA rules and interpretations in this post are relevant for men's games only!
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old Sat Aug 06, 2005, 03:49pm
Statistician/Ref Hybrid
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 1,037
I think in my area (south of da Yoopers ), Middle Schools often have their own AD. Hoever, I also believe that some districts have the HS or Districtwide AD handle middle school game logisitics.

Probably best to check with your HS assignor to see.

If you are new and anxious to move up the ranks, just remeber the advice of previous posters and to hustle from the opening tap to the final buzzer. Coaches will always like to complain about calls, but some of them will appreciate an official who hustles and conducts him or herself as if they know what they are doing out there.

Good luck this season.
__________________
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." – Dalai Lama

The center of attention as the lead & trail. – me
Games officiated: 525 Basketball · 76 Softball · 16 Baseball
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old Sat Aug 06, 2005, 05:05pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 63
Every game is important to someone. Take the middle school games, do the best you can, make some friends and enjoy yourself. Go for it.
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old Mon Aug 08, 2005, 08:59am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 79
Okay, thanks for all the advice. Got my availability schedule worked out and we'll see what I get for freshman and JV games. If I don't get too many, I'll look into getting some middle school games as well.
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old Mon Aug 08, 2005, 09:22am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,592
Quote:
Originally posted by Rizzo21
Okay, thanks for all the advice. Got my availability schedule worked out and we'll see what I get for freshman and JV games. If I don't get too many, I'll look into getting some middle school games as well.
It's already been said but every game is important to someone and everyone has to start somewhere. You can watch all the games and read all the books but nothing will take the place of on court experience. Working middle school games is extremely helpful in gaining that experience. In fact, I think you gain alot of experience when you work teams that are not very good, don't move their feet on defense, and foul alot. You get to practice more mechanics and calls. These type games are alot harder to work than 2 athletic teams that play good defense and shoot the ball well. When trying to gain experience, don't be to choosy.
__________________
Do you ever feel like your stuff strutted off without you?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15am.



Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0 RC1