How far will you go to save a game (PART 2)

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by RookieDude
Listen, again I agree with the bigdogs here on their philosophical approach to this type of sitch. That's why I posted this mess...I wasn't proud of big-timing the less experienced official. (The guy isn't young, but his career has been mostly JV stuff, with a little V sprinkled here and there)
Would we have come in and huddled with a more experienced V official? Probably not...in fact, if I had been the misguided L and my two partners came up to me after the "call"...I wouldn't have been apologizing in the locker room, I would have been somewhat unpleasant.

So...we treated our partner differently than we would have a seasoned veteran. I wouldn't have felt the need to protect and/or embarass the Vet. We did this particular partner...therefore, our bad.

Sure, we got the call right...but, at what expense to a partner?
As a crew, do we get every call right every night? (I haven't seen it yet)
Do we go around huddling and changing things for the "good of the game"? (Sometimes...you just have to know when those "sometimes" are)

These are some of the philosophical questions that, IMO, a good official asks him/herself.

When I work with an official at the varsity or college level, I assume they can do the job. I do not under any circumstances treat them any different than someone else. The only way I would do that if I feel they are really struggling, but I just let them call their game. There is a reason they are assigned to the game, it is not my job or my obligation to "save them." Even if I am the vet of the crew, I think it will hinder a younger official if I take control. If they screw up they will not be at that level very much longer. Not saying you did that, I just believe in teamwork and working together.

Peace