Partner goes down - coaches go brain dead

[26 Year Gap]

My first varsity game this time around was when one of the varsity guys got sick at halftime. I finished the game for him. Better than letting the other guy go solo. Enjoyed it so much we went into OT. I did not get a lot of grief. Maybe they figured I got enough grief in the first game.

[lpneck]

Of course everyone has a first varsity game sooner or later. That is not what this is about.

The situations people are describing about having a lower level official step in in an emergency where there are NO officials is not the same situation as described in the original post. If NO officials (or one official), show up to the game, then it is better to throw a rookie into the fire than to NOT HAVE THE GAME AT ALL. Obviously that happens on occasion and people have to make the best of it and the coaches better adjust. Hopefully the rookie steps up and gets a huge break in their career.

However, in the ORIGINAL SITUATION DESCRIBED, I don't believe that having 3 officials, where one is not ready to work that level, is going to make the game better than having only two officials that are both qualified. Halftime of a varsity game is not the time to give someone a learning opportunity, and yes, in my area, high school basketball coaches get fired. Often.

Zebraman describes in the original post bringing out a JV official at halftime, and having both coaches on his case within two minutes. You want to tell me that there is no possibility that they had a point, and the guy was making inconsistent calls with what they are used to seeing? Especially if there were no problems with either of these coaches in the first half?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by lpneck

However, in the ORIGINAL SITUATION DESCRIBED, I don't believe that having 3 officials, where one is not ready to work that level, is going to make the game better than having only two officials that are both qualified. Halftime of a varsity game is not the time to give someone a learning opportunity, and yes, in my area, high school basketball coaches get fired. Often.

Zebraman describes in the original post bringing out a JV official at halftime, and having both coaches on his case within two minutes. You want to tell me that there is no possibility that they had a point, and the guy was making inconsistent calls with what they are used to seeing? Especially if there were no problems with either of these coaches in the first half?

How do you know that he's not ready to work that level?

Zebraman thought it was a good idea and he wanted him there, and Z was the guy on the spot.

Are you a coach or an official? You sure seem to have the mindset of a coach. I hate to break it to you, but some coaches will go after any new face to see if they can get an edge. No, seriously, they will. It's true, it's true.....

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by lpneck

Zebraman describes in the original post bringing out a JV official at halftime, and having both coaches on his case within two minutes. You want to tell me that there is no possibility that they had a point, and the guy was making inconsistent calls with what they are used to seeing? Especially if there were no problems with either of these coaches in the first half?

He did fine. The game was much better with him on our 3-person crew than with just 2 of us. We do most of our JV games around here with 3-person also so he has several 3-person games under his belt over the past couple years. Perhaps the coaches sensed that he was nervous (were any of us not nervous on our first varsity games?) and were testing him. He passed with flying colors. In fact, I called the assignor on the way home and put in a word for the guy and he'll be getting more varsity games this season. I was disappointed in the coaches but proud of my partner.

[SmokeEater]

Way to Go Z. Glad to see you helping out other officials and mentoring them into higher levels. Big pat on the back to you.

That is a true compliment, no jokes intended.

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by SmokeEater

Way to Go Z. Glad to see you helping out other officials and mentoring them into higher levels. Big pat on the back to you.

That is a true compliment, no jokes intended.

Thanks SmokeEater,

I got my first varsity games because some officials put a call in to the assignor on my behalf after working with me. Just returning the favor.