The thing about these games is it takes good officials and makes them look terrible. Working this type of game doesn't help me prepare for the season and doesn't make me better. I agree with JRut -- it's either (1) doing it for the money or (2) not doing them. I choose (2) unless it's a friend of mine begging for a partner.

I agree -- for kids who have their parents around. A lot of kids these days are "latchkey" and don't see much of their parents. Then the pros become more important. But even so, the friends' parents, the coach the work under, the teacher who's coaching all have an enormous influence. These are the most important adults, and they aren't behaving in ways they want their kids to behave. Really sad.

Very well put.

I do not buy that "latchkey" argument. Many kids did not have their parents around. My family is a good example. My Grandmother worked and did not stay home with her kids every waking moment and all but one got a college education. The only one that did not go to college ended up being the most successful.

The bottom line is there are kids that have everything and they act like little brats because their parents never check them. It is really bad with the kids that have everything. They think their kids above approach and being told what to do by other adults. In my time if I did something wrong my parents thanked the adult. Now, if another adult looks crossed-eyed at their kid they want to get a lawyer. We have a parenting problem, not a kid problem.

Peace

Just another consequence of today's shallow, consumption-crazy, selfish society. Look at what everyone's been watching on TV for the last several years - reality television. That says it all.

Sorry fellas, beg to differ on this one. I could care less about how I 'look' in these games, money not the object. I do think that these games are (1) a good training ground for learning to use judgement on calls, and (2)an opportunity to get in rhythym for the upcoming season. All of us don't have the opportunity to work games in the summer, and I don't want my first HS game of the season to be my first game of the season as well.

Working middle school there is little opportunity to apply advantage/disadvantage they way you MUST in a varsity game. In a middle school game just about every bit of on-ball contact is a foul, and needs to be for various reasons.

I just find that working these games fouls me up, just like working a freshman high school baseball game behind the plate is a bad idea the day before working a college game.

But, to each his own. I work a scrimmage or two to shake out the cobwebs and I'm happy to get going with the season. If you like working these games, have fun. I'd rather stay at home with my wife/daughter. 40 games a season is enough for me, which is why I've stopped working rec ball and weekend youth games as well.

I agree with Rich. All that lower level stuff does not help me with the majority of my HS games. For one you hardly ever work JH games as a 3 Person crew. Rarely are those games above the rim or purposely physical. I just see these games more as a way to think basketball, but it does not at all prepare me for what will happen when the regular season starts. That is why I go to scrimmages and as many as I can get my hands on. I am trying to take my game to another level. JH games are for money, they certainly do not help improve me game.

It these games help you, more power to you.

Peace

Since we're pounding away at Sean here I'll take my turn.

JH games are in no way tune-up games. If you enjoy working them or enjoy the money then fine. Or maybe you're obligated somehow, or feel some loyalty to the guy who assigns them. Fine.

But to tune up work some scrimmages at and above the level you normally work. Go watch an early season contest or scrimmage.