What would you do?

[Mark Padgett]

Originally posted by rainmaker
I haven't said much on this thread, but I feel I have a position now, which is defensible. IT DEPENDS ON THE LEVEL. Sixth grade girls, I'm not going to call this kind of thing.

Juulie - as you know, I have been on the Board of a local rec league for 12 years and we have kids as low as 3rd grade. Our philosophy, which was developed over the 20+ years the league has been in existence, is (at lower levels) to call the violation, then explain it to the kids. We feel by doing that, it impresses in their yet-developed minds the actual violation and they are more likely to try not to repeat it. Not only do we feel this is the best way to teach kids the rules of the game, but it takes the burden off the refs in relation to being consistent. The more we use subjectivity in these instances (and I'm not making a case here not to ever use subjectivity), the more inconsistent we become.

BTW - we can discuss this further tomorrow (Sat) since you told me we have some games together at The Hoop in Vancouver, WA.

Also BTW - good news for Portland area basketball fans - The Hoop in Beaverton is reopening under new management, including former Trailblazers Larry Steele and Danny Anderson. It was closed for about a month, which eliminated six courts from use here. First adult league games are this Sunday night.