Interaction with crowd

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by Jway44

Leave the crowd alone. They are the least of your worries out there on the court. Just handle players and coaches and you will be fine. I think my signature says it all.

Your signature line should say "crowd's stupdity" though, not crowds stupidity.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

At the end of the game I was happy because I did get a lot of people telling me that we did a good job.

So, if they had said that you did a lousy job, you would have been sad?

If you're going to believe them when they tell you that you're great, it stands to reason that you have to believe them when they tell you that you suck.

Ignore fans. Our latest memo from the state: Don't even make eye contact with them.

[Ref Daddy]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I posted the following on the bulletin board during our 9-10 and 11-12 year old rec league last year. It got practically zero attention.


Being a Student of the Game


Listen to the fans around you as you watch the game. (or in some cases listen to yourself) “These refs are awful! That guy obviously doesn’t even know the rules!” This could be true, but many times the one who complains loudest knows the least. Registered officials are the only ones in the gym who are required to pass a rules test. Is this very difficult? Not really, but the point is the guy being criticized at least owns a current rule book. How many fans have ever seen a rule book? Check out the following list of questions. If you get them all correct, consider yourself very knowledgeable.

1. Held ball situation, possession arrow favors team A. Player A1 takes the ball out of bounds. He extends the ball across the line and out over the court, where B1 grabs the ball and ties it up. What is the call?

a. Violation when the ball crossed the line, B’s ball
b. Technical foul on B1
c. Warning on B1, if it happens again it is a technical
d. Held ball, B gets possession
e. Held ball, A keeps possession

2. End of game situation: Team A leads by 2. Players A1 dribbles at midcourt, and with 1 second left throws the ball high in the air, thinking his team has won. Buzzer sounds while the ball is in the air, but, incredibly, the ball goes through Team B’s basket. What is the call?

a. No points. Ball entered basket after the buzzer. A wins by 2.
b. 3 points for team B. B wins by 1.
c. 2 points for team B. Overtime.

3. Traveling involves the limit on movement of the pivot foot. A player gains possession of the ball and has not yet used his dribble, therefore he may start a dribble, shoot, or pass. The limits on movement of the pivot foot are:

a. The same on all three options.
b. Different on all three options.
c. The same on a shot and a pass. .
d. The same on a shot and a dribble.
e. The same on a pass and a dribble.

4. Official calls a foul near the baseline and you do not see the signal. You are told the call was either an intentional foul or a technical foul. There are 2 differences in the penalty for these 2 infractions. What are they?

5. Team A leads by 1 as time expires to end the 4th quarter. Immediately after the buzzer, team A’s coach steps out and uses profanity as he gives his opinion to the officials of how the game was called. Ruling: Technical foul on Coach A. Two free throws will be shot to determine which team wins or if overtime is necessary. True or false?

I suggest these be posted on the Door of BasketBall courts NATIONWIDE!!!

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Our latest memo from the state: Don't even make eye contact with them.

Wow. Seems a little extreme.

[Time2Ref]

You could decide to do things differant depending on what level of game you are officiating.

I once asked a veteran official, my partner at a JV game, a question concerning off court procedures. I don't remember the exact question, but I will never forget his answer. He asked me, "Why would you do it differant than the Varsity officials? You should do everything as if you were a professional, because you are a professional".

Also, in the Officials Manual, page 8 (Prerequistes for Good
Officiating): 18. Cardinal Principles: The following items are specific goals and personal attributes that every good official will strive to attain and accepted procedures which should be followed:
...
j. Do not fratenize with coaches or fans before or during the game.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

Wow. Seems a little extreme.

Not really. I haven't lost anything in the stands. I can be aware of idiots who might do something stupid without turning and looking into their eyes.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

you have to believe them when they tell you that you suck.

hmm....

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

hmm....

Yep! If they said "You stink!" you'd think "dumbass fan." You might even say it!

What makes them anymore intelligent when they compliment you?

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Yep! If they said "You stink!" you'd think "dumbass fan." You might even say it!

What makes them anymore intelligent when they compliment you?

What if they email you to say you suck?

[just another ref]

There are two times when many fans compliment an official:

1. Immediately after their team wins: "Good job, Mr. Ref!"

2. When you weren't even there: "Wish we'd had you last week. Those
guys were awful!"


This is not always true:

1. "We beat all 7 of them!"

2. "The guys last week were almost as bad as you!"

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

What if they email you to say you suck?

Believe 'em.

Your fellow officials would never lie to you.

[REFVA]

If there is something funny or they are directly getting involved with players (not necessarily in a bad way), then I have no problem with some interaction.

confrontational or not do not at all means speak with the fans. I had a partner a couple of years ago which was baited into a conversation and it started as not confrontational and all hell broke loose when he made a call that went against that fan. Letter were written about how the focus of the ref was in the stands and not the court and disrepecting the fans. Just keep your eyes and focus on the court and you won't get hurt unless someone out right threatens you or your crew. Then take action with gym management.

As mentioned in previuos posting, who cares what the fan think? they don't pay you. You know that you have administered the rules of NFHS to the best of your knowledge . Only 50% of fans will like you for any call you make at any given time.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Ref Daddy

By definition the crowd are "spectators" - be very careful.

My dreamm is to hand out a rules questionaire before a game and see who gets them anywhere near correct -
Define a blarge
The three second rule
Define "over the back" (!)
Whats a COACH'S BOX

Good question. What is a "Coach's Box?"

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Our latest memo from the state: Don't even make eye contact with them.

I tried that once. She said, "Hey. My eyes are up here."

[Ignats75]

I tried that once. She said, "Hey. My eyes are up here."

That reminds me of the old Sat Night Live skit with Kristy Alley (before she blew up),,,,Aliens come down to earth and all the female aliens eyes are no longer on their faces, they are on their breasts. They claimed they mutated because that was the only way they could get their men to look them in the eye. One of the funniest skits ever.