Are They Unprofessional?

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Junker
One of the concerns I have in Iowa with going 3 man in the tournaments is working with 2 officials you don't know. I feel that in 3 man, even more so than 2, it is difficult to build consistency in a game with officials you haven't worked with. I can see where this might be a problem. We haven't heard from the state as to how officials will be assigned, ie as crews or individuals (this is nothing new). Any thoughts on this from states that do use 3?

If you are all trained the same basic way, it should never be a problem to work with people you do not know. During the season most of my games I tend to work with people that I have never met, let alone worked with previously. This is why you have a pre-game and be as knowledgably about the proper mechanics and coverages.

Peace

[rockyroad]

Originally posted by zebraman

You're so right Rocky, especially down in your part of the state. But I have to admit, your custom down there of having the referee giving hot oil massages to his partners before the game has me a little weirded out.

Z

No, no, no...it's the U-2's job to give the massages. And that's only after the 5th time you've worked a regional or state game with one of us...

[Junker]

Originally posted by JRutledge

If you are all trained the same basic way, it should never be a problem to work with people you do not know. During the season most of my games I tend to work with people that I have never met, let alone worked with previously. This is why you have a pre-game and be as knowledgably about the proper mechanics and coverages.

Peace

You've hit on a big concern. Right now, there are only two conferences in the state that have 3 man crews exclusively (I worked in one this season and next season half of my schedule is split between the 2). Most of the people at the state level have not worked a lot of 3 man themselves and are not as well prepared to teach 3 man mechanics. The people in the state that know 3 man well, are the college guys and they often aren't involved in the training. With different crews this season I worked HS, Men's college, and women's college mechanics just to blend in with the crew. This is fine with me as I have aspirations of working the college game and go work college mechanics at camps, but for the guys new to 3 man, it's going to be really ugly for a few years I fear. I can't tell you how glad I am we're going 3, but there are going to be some really interesting tournament games next season, just because of officiating changes.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Junker


You've hit on a big concern. Right now, there are only two conferences in the state that have 3 man crews exclusively (I worked in one this season and next season half of my schedule is split between the 2). Most of the people at the state level have not worked a lot of 3 man themselves and are not as well prepared to teach 3 man mechanics. The people in the state that know 3 man well, are the college guys and they often aren't involved in the training. With different crews this season I worked HS, Men's college, and women's college mechanics just to blend in with the crew. This is fine with me as I have aspirations of working the college game and go work college mechanics at camps, but for the guys new to 3 man, it's going to be really ugly for a few years I fear. I can't tell you how glad I am we're going 3, but there are going to be some really interesting tournament games next season, just because of officiating changes.

Your state needs to take on a training program not very different than what our state did. In Illinois they required all officials to attend camps as a requirement for their license. Also because our state went to 3 Person all playoff games, conferences realized they had to allow more 3 Person games in their conferences in order to get used to the change and help officials get used to the change. Illinois standardized many procedures and practices that are taught from one end of the state to another. Also it is required that all officials that want to work post season must attend a 3 Person camp where the officials work games on the floor. Also our state licensed clinicians registered with the state that were the only ones responsible for making sure these camps were teaching the same things. So what tends to happen is when guys work together that have never met, they are starting from similar understanding of the mechanics. Of course there were growing pains for the first couple years, but now I can watch games all over the place and see proper coverages and a very good understanding of all the mechanics. Just like anything there are people you understand better than others, but the mistakes are minor and things that can be taught. Also as a board member of one of my associations our group does a lot of reinforcing of the mechanics and procedures with camps and during meetings. This is also typical of other groups in our state as well. We are constantly beating officials over the head with information and policies that the IHSA wants us to cover. So when the playoffs officials are very well versed in 3 Person that it is like riding a bike. Of course there are differences in philosophy and minor issues, but nothing your a pre-game cannot overcome.

Peace

[WAZebra]

Originally posted by JRutledge

First of all you have concluded that both individuals are working together without any solid evidence. Not sure how that is possible as you claim it is. All you have is a friend in the stands making gestures from the stands.

What does the official on the floor have to do with the gestures of a friend/buddy in the stands?

I would agree that if his friend is an official his antics would not be the display of the best behavior from an official.

All I could decipher from your post is a guy in the stands acting out and he happens to be a friend to one of the officials. Because you think the calls were influenced is just an assumption right now. Unless they have talked about it to other people and you know for sure that actually took place, I am not sure the outrage on your part. All I ever do when I officiate is focus on the floor. I find it hard to believe someone is that in tune to the stands and officiating at the same time.

Peace

yes man his buddy in the stands is an official from his association, they came to the game together. His calls on the floor were influenced by his buddy in the stands making gestures on what to look for during the game. This guy was also mocking the other 2 guys calls during the game.

I aggree with you. I too would never focus one wut someone in the stands is doing. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes.