varsity criticism or just helping!

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by chrs_schuster
I grin and bare it, just like all the rest of the rookies...

Wow, I'm glad I'm not in your association!! I've got enough credibility problems without having to "bare it" as a rookie!!

[refnrev]

Originally posted by chrs_schuster
Whats with the little bit of attitude REFNREV! Read my posts again slick! Im not the one asking for evaluation forms and saying dont tell me anything. My post says that I am willing to listen and am asking questions myself. I was just stating my observation of a few varsity officials who think there the next to ref a Lebron James game and try to impress me by there knowledge of the game. Which may be in fact great, BUT...if I dont ask for help"which is rare" I shouldnt be subjected to there smug attitude. By the way I have NEVER said a disrespectful word to a varsity official! I grin and bare it, just like all the rest of the rookies. The only place that I can voice these concerns is HERE!!......where nobody knows me!!!!!!!!!

__________________________________________________ ________

No "attitide" intended. Just an attempt to give an honest reply to your question. You do seem to be very sensitive about this whole issue. Agreed -- there are some major leauge egos out there. But there also a lot of helpful comments -- most of which come from people who have made their share of their mistakes. I've had officials who can barely make the right call twice in one game give me advice I didn't want or need. I say, "Thank you" and go on. You can learn from any official -- even the very bad ones. You've already learned that you don't want to come off as a "know it all" to newer officials.

[lmeadski]

I think her username on here is oatmeal queen (something to do with oatmeal). And, I am male, most of the time...

[chrs_schuster]

you know what I meant rainmaker..... hows this one; I bite my tongue and say thank you all the time. Is that one better for all the "children" in here.

[Rich]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

I don't think there's anyone thing or even a specific list per se. But here are a few things.

The ability to slow down, see the whole play and maintain control- Inexperienced officials are in a great, big hurry. Too quick to whistle, too quick to signal, too quick in reporting. It's not necessary to make every call like the call determines the fate of the world. The ability to slow down demonstrates confidence and control.

Staying away from game interuptors- I see more interuptors in one JV game than I do in 5 varsity games. A2 steps inot the lane a split second early on a made FT. A 3 second call when the dribbler is stalling at the division line. Needless whistles.

"On the floor!"- This kind of goes back to slowing down and letting the play develop and recognizing when continuous motion begins. All to often, I see a player drive, pickup the dribble on his way to the whole, only to have the whistle blown and the official yell, "On the floor!" First, recognize that the try has started. Second, allow the play to develop so that the shooter who has gained an advantage doesn't have that advantage taken away by a foul.

BTW, you'll learn more after moving to varsity than you learned in all your other games combined. Working with veterans will teach you the finer points of the game and make you think about things you never considered before.

Be patient and good luck!

You hit the nail on the head.

SLOW whistles, the ability to SLOW the game down in your mind so you don't take an advantage away from someone.

Endless, needless fouls. JV games where the officials are calling every bit of contact and not using any judgment at all.

I'm not saying to use foul counts as a judge, but I have more varsity games with FEW fouls (25 or less total for both teams) than I do with LOTS of fouls (40 or more). A good varsity official makes sure every foul called caused a disadvantage for the person being fouled or there's excessive contact where a foul is required for the good of the game.

(Another big one -- B guard steals ball up top and will have a clean break, except that the A player grabs for the B player and definitely touches or bumps him -- let the stealing player try to play through that contact, as you don't want to unfairly penalize someone who is on a breakaway.)

I've heard officials say that not calling fouls when there's contact encourages rough play, but I don't buy that. Not calling fouls when there's excessive contact encourages rough play and I don't think anyone here would advocate passing on such fouls.

And on those "on the floor" fouls, I get more crap from coaches who think I'm way too generous on awarding free throws, which only tells me I'm doing it right.

--Rich

[Edited by Rich Fronheiser on Dec 26th, 2005 at 11:38 AM]

[Chris Whitten]

I'm in similar shoes. I know no one who enjoys hearing criticism. Your hunger for improvement should exceed your temporarily hurt feelings. I try to remember the information that will make me better, and discard the "I'm- so-glad-I'm-not-a-rookie-anymore-so-I-can-talk-down-to- someone" attitude. Even these guys can provide helpful information. Try to remember what teaches and encourages you about their delivery/information. Employ these things in your delivery to younger officials, when the time comes.

[truerookie]

Originally posted by blindzebra

Well at least you already have the shirt when you start working at Footlocker. [/B]

Blindzebra, I would like to let you now. I am an individual who ensures that you sleep peacefully at night. I am a VETERAN in the United States Army. I have served in two wars. I have been serving my country faithfully for 16 years. Do not insult me in that capacity.(FOOTLOCKER).

[Edited by truerookie on Dec 26th, 2005 at 11:45 PM]

[blindzebra]

Originally posted by truerookie

Blindzebra, I would like to let you now. I am an individual who ensures that you sleep peacefully at night. I am a VETERAN in the United States Army. I have served in two wars. I have been serving my country faithfully for 16 years. Do not insult me in that capacity.(FOOTLOCKER).

[Edited by truerookie on Dec 26th, 2005 at 11:45 PM] [/B]

I don't need to insult you, you've done a great job doing it to yourself.

Pulling the vet card is lame, by the way.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by truerookie
Blindzebra, I would like to let you now. I am an individual who ensures that you sleep peacefully at night. I am a VETERAN in the United States Army. I have served in two wars. I have been serving my country faithfully for 16 years. Do not insult me in that capacity.(FOOTLOCKER).

Thank you for your service to our country.

It doesn't excuse what you stated in your initial reply in this thread. I don't think I've ever seen anyone catch so much crap for a single post in all my days on the board. You've brought unity where there never was unity before. Talk about a unanimous response!

BTW, if you ever end up with the 82nd, drop me an email.

[canuckrefguy]

Originally posted by truerookie

Blindzebra, I would like to let you now. I am an individual who ensures that you sleep peacefully at night. I am a VETERAN in the United States Army. I have served in two wars. I have been serving my country faithfully for 16 years. Do not insult me in that capacity.(FOOTLOCKER).

[Edited by truerookie on Dec 26th, 2005 at 11:45 PM] [/B]

So working in the army is more worthy than working at Footlocker?

Man, talk about arrogant.

Get over yourself.

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by chrs_schuster
Ok, I'm a second year ref, and by no means anywhere near the professional I am striving to be. The question I am having you answer is: at halftime, I will usually ask the Varsity officials about my first half and if theres anything I can improve on. Thats on the occasion that when I meet the Varsity officials and their personable and easy to talk to. Then theres the other situation when I'm quite and trying to reflect on my first half. Then I hear GOOD FIRST HALF... BUT!!! Why is there always 1 Varsity official who thinks hes the next to go into the NBA and can talk to me like I'm an idiot and question my calls down to the littlest thing. Am I being to forward to say I would like to get info when I ask for it, Or just bite the bullet and take the tongue-lashing?

My philosopy is eat the meat and spit out the bones. Be a sponge and soak up as much as you can, then toss out what you dont think is relavent to you. But always listen, because Varsity Officials have a lot of say pull and you dont want to hinder your career.

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by canuckrefguy
So working in the army is more worthy than working at Footlocker?

Let's see. Sell sneakers. . . secure freedom. . . sell sneakers. . . secure freedom. . . I'm going with yes, working in the army is more worthy than working at Footlocker. How is that arrogant?

[tomegun]

Originally posted by truerookie

Blindzebra, I would like to let you now. I am an individual who ensures that you sleep peacefully at night. I am a VETERAN in the United States Army. I have served in two wars. I have been serving my country faithfully for 16 years. Do not insult me in that capacity.(FOOTLOCKER).

[Edited by truerookie on Dec 26th, 2005 at 11:45 PM] [/B]

I don't see a smiley face anywhere!

I'm in the military too and it has absolutely nothing to do with this conversation or the remarks that were made about Footlocker. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't tie officiating a game to the military. Apples and hand grenades.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by ChuckElias

Let's see. Sell sneakers. . . secure freedom. . . sell sneakers. . . secure freedom. . . I'm going with yes, working in the army is more worthy than working at Footlocker. How is that arrogant?

Oh brother!!

Peace

[Stripes33]

Just take it with a grain of salt because anybody can go out there and be critical of any other officialÂ’s technique or calls. I would place the emphasis on finding a couple guys you really think do a great job and whose opinion you respect and have them evaluate your performance. One of the coolest things about doing this is that every official has the opportunity to incorporate there own style into there mechanics. There are some people out there that think if you aren't doing things there way youÂ’re doing it the wrong way! Good Luck and Stick With It!