Newbie questions

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mwanr1

I am aware most middle school games often use the 20-mins running halves format except for the last 2 minutes of the game unless a 15+ or 20+ lead. Don't get caught up worrying about the running clock. It is important to remember that 5-10 seconds extra you take will usually not have a big effect to the game. However, if you rush through it, that 3-5 seconds u saved can give you hours of headache later on.

Slow down and make sure things are in control before issuing the ball for play. If you call a total of 15 fouls and you take an extra 5 seconds each per call, you are only using 75 extra seconds. That’s only 1 min and 15 seconds extra of running time. No one will pay attention to that lost time. But if you rush into things and screw up on one big play, you can potentially lose minutes in correcting the error and hours of writing a report to your supervisor. SO REMEMBER: SLOW DOWN, STAY POISE, SMILE AND HAVE FUN!

That might not be completely true. Where I live they play 6 minute quarters with a regular clock. I am sure based on what rules an area or organization adopts, this is going to vary all over the country to come extent. But the idea of not rushing is correct either way.

Also he might not start out or work a lot of JH games. I know when I started I worked a small percentage of JH and middle school games. I worked mostly HS games. Even now most new officials work a healthy amount of HS games. JH games are not for everyone and not everyone can get to those games as 4:30 where I currently live.

Peace