I have noticed that a lot of older referees feel they must put on a clinic to younger referees. I am a 4th year guy, and am starting to get a good varsity schedule. I have had help along the way, but I have also had older officials try to give me a clinic. I don't understand this tactic. Do older guys feel threatened? I have younger guys than me talk to me a lot about officiating, and I try to listen and help, not preach. Also, some officials think that they are too good for coaches to get on to them. I hate calling with guys that consider themselves great, and put on mechanics clinics during the game. I am all for great mechanics, believe me they are important, but some referees need to realize absolutely no person came to see them, and most people don't have the first clue about mechanics. These are just some observations I needed to get off my chest.

Thanks for helping out all us vets.

Might wanna change that tagline. "Never" is a dangerous word.

Ok, you got it off you chest. Continue to control what you can and leave everything else alone.

Oklahoma,

How are they putting on a clinic during the game? By using good mechanics? Why do you feel that they think that people are there to see them? By showboating? Do you think that it is okay for "coaches to get on to you"?

Mulk

Looks like a case of whistle envy to me.:D

Geez
 

OKRef, dont tick 'em off....dont tick 'em off...

The answer to your question is "YES."

Peace

WTF?

Z

i'm in my 13th season, and go out of my way to help every official i can. the one motto i tell them to officiate by is " you're only as good as your next whistle" i don't like working with partners that think they know it all. none of us ever will.

4th year? Sounds a little bit like someone thinks they're better than they are and I'm not talking about the old guys.

I thought I was pretty good after four years. Now I know better. :)

Simply listen and say thank you for thier willingness to give back to the next generation.

I sincerely hope I put on a "mechanics clinic" every game I work. I make my best effort to use proper and only proper NFHS mechanics every game I work and would love to have someone tell me I put on a "mechanics clinic" after a game I called. Now if you are talking non-Fed, make up your own, wahtever you want to call it mechanics, ie showboating, then you may have a legit beef. What exactly do you mean by a "mechanics clinic"?

OKRef
 

run away...don't answer!

OklahomaRef,
I fumble-thumbed around for four or five years because there was no help that was volunteered, and because I didn't know which questions to ask.
I would have loved to have had your problem.
mick

I tend to agree somewhat with what you are saying Oklahoma. I appreciate when an experienced partner provides a "couple" of constructive comments to help me out. I don't want nor need to be "coached" at every stoppage in play. After all isn't that what we have this forum for? I have been an Official for 25 years, I took a bit of time off to work in the North country of Ccanada, and have been back for 4 years now. SOme of the older guys don't know me so feel they have to "clinic me as well. We all have something to learn and share is my thought. I also don't want my partner to get pissed off at me because I won't listen to what they are saying. So one has to smile, accept the commentary and do the best you can every time on the floor.

Smoke

I'm in my first year of officiating. Every game I work, I tell my partner that this is my first year. Any feedback (positive or negative) you can give me, I'd really appreciate it.

Now, for the most part, feedback has been great. During timeouts, or at the half, we'll discuss what I need to work on. This is done where and when no one can hear. However, there are a few partners that will advertise to the entire gym that I'm new. That, I do not appreciate! It gives the fans ammunition and makes me feel uncomfortable every time I make a call. (ie: did I make the right call?)

So, for you seasoned officials:

THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK! PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP US. One day we too will be in a position to help the newer guys/gals. But, try not to advertise that we're new. Our mechanics speak for itself.

THANKS....

DAC

A lot of guys that responded made my point. People talking "I thought I was good after four or five years". In my post I do say I appreciate CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. And I do appreciate good mechanics, I try to have good mechanics my self. What I am talking about is older guys "big leaguing" us. My first year I had a referee chew me out. Not help chew because I called out of bounds on a ball that hit the supports and I was the Lead. The problem was that the ball hit...bounced till it was dead and all the players stopped. Now I know guys miss calls, and I know that wasn't my call but sometimes you have to help your partner out. No reason to chew on me. We have a problem here of younger officials getting out, and we also have a problem of older officials not wanting to take them under their wing and help. I think some of you guys that responded negatively to this post have somewhat of a guilty feeling in the pit of your stomach because you know you've done what I and a few others are talking about.

Oklahoma, I don't know what your problem is, b/c I don't really understand what you mean by "mechanics clinic". But here's my advice. Nod your head, say "Ok, thanks" and then decide if the vet's "advice" is worth using. If it is, great. If not, forget that he said anything. Why come here and complain about it?

Ahhh, the "If he's disagreeing with me then he's gotta be guilty" argument. I never get tired of that one. :rolleyes:

There's really no reason to chew anybody out during these sessions and I have seen my share so I agree it happens. Discounting the more intense types, tell me again why you would feel bad about getting input on your game? I cannot remember the last time I did not ask at least once during a halftime and at the end of a game if there is anything my partners see that they are uncomfortable with. And if there's another official in the room I'll ask him too. And if I'm not happy about a call I made I'll ask a partner during a timeout what he thought about it.

Geeze, how else do you improve without feedback??

DOH!
 

OKRef, there is not one ref in here that isn't interested in helping others, and themselves, become better refs. Egos need to be checked at the door in here. Yeah, some of the guys/gals in here are crusty. So what. If you feel your game is beyond reproach, then you don't need the forum. If you are in here to promote yourself, you've come to the wrong place. If you've come to learn and share, welcome.

In golf, it is against the rules to give advice. Not a bad rule to adopt!

Are you serious? You really don't think that anyone should ever give advice to newer officials to try and help them or teach them?

C'mon, Jim. That's just ridiculous.

You forgot a smilie, didn't ya?