No big dogs

[tomegun]

I guess the thinking behind this thread got shot down pretty quick.

[Ref Daddy]

Seen my share of ref's that get caught up in the competitive spirit, they are driven to get the biggest games, gym's, players, game checks, etc.

They chase the "stage".

Others enjoy the basics. A good sweat on a competitve court of play and $35.00 pocket money.

Nothing wrong with either - but when these two forces share a locker room .....

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I guess the thinking behind this thread got shot down pretty quick.

Yeah, they got defensive fairly quickly.

But none of you asked why, really.

I appreciate the pregames and the postgames of the big dogs. I learn a lot from them. But one game once in a while where I can just go out and officiate and enjoy the game and be my own critiquer and work on what I need to work on and then go home is quite refreshing and a needed break.

I know they just want me to improve and I do too. But it's been a tough season for me physically and mentally, especially since I lost a lot of games to weather and illness. So it's nice to just "play" for one evening.

It's a heads up for some of you who wonder about how to retain the new officials. Why do they leave after a couple of years? What I'm feeling may be a part of it.

Rita

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Yeah, they got defensive fairly quickly.

But none of you asked why, really.

I appreciate the pregames and the postgames of the big dogs. I learn a lot from them. But one game once in a while where I can just go out and officiate and enjoy the game and be my own critiquer and work on what I need to work on and then go home is quite refreshing and a needed break.

I know they just want me to improve and I do too. But it's been a tough season for me physically and mentally, especially since I lost a lot of games to weather and illness. So it's nice to just "play" for one evening.

It's a heads up for some of you who wonder about how to retain the new officials. Why do they leave after a couple of years? What I'm feeling may be a part of it.

Rita

Sorry if you thought I got defensive. I didn't. I just didn't think your point was valid.

I can't remember a recent game that I didn't enjoy, nor can I think of one when I wasn't working on something. And I work with big dogs as well as little dogs regularly.

I've seen many reasons why officials leave the game after a couple years.
"Working with the big dogs" has never been on the list.

[Johnny Ringo]

it was a 3-person crew at the JV level?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Johnny Ringo

it was a 3-person crew at the JV level?

That's required here. Plus it allows the "middle" officials that I'm supposed to be to gain three person experience before advancing to varsity.

Rita

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by zebraman

Sorry if you thought I got defensive. I didn't. I just didn't think your point was valid.

I can't remember a recent game that I didn't enjoy, nor can I think of one when I wasn't working on something. And I work with big dogs as well as little dogs regularly.

I've seen many reasons why officials leave the game after a couple years.
"Working with the big dogs" has never been on the list.

I had two games I didn't enjoy this year. Games I probably shouldn't have worked but I didn't realize how sick I was before I went. (And didn't know till I went to the doctor a few days later. Sinus infections can sneak up on you.) My partner snapped at me out on the court. In the locker room he told me I had to suck it up. I was but not enough for him. It was terrible. If I had the ego some people bring to officiating I wouldn't have come back it was that bad.

But I do have enough ego that I have been having to work at bringing the fun back since. Hence the relief last night was.

Rita

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Yeah, they got defensive fairly quickly.

But none of you asked why, really.

Sometimes the crap people come up with amazes me. If you wanted anyone to know why, then why did you not put that in your post?

Originally Posted by Rita C

I appreciate the pregames and the postgames of the big dogs. I learn a lot from them. But one game once in a while where I can just go out and officiate and enjoy the game and be my own critiquer and work on what I need to work on and then go home is quite refreshing and a needed break.

So you want to go in to a game not knowing the expectations of your partner whether it is mechanics, rules or how to handle tough situation which tend to come up during any game? That is telling in a lot of ways.

Originally Posted by Rita C

I know they just want me to improve and I do too. But it's been a tough season for me physically and mentally, especially since I lost a lot of games to weather and illness. So it's nice to just "play" for one evening.

It's a heads up for some of you who wonder about how to retain the new officials. Why do they leave after a couple of years? What I'm feeling may be a part of it.

Rita

Actually Rita, I do not want to work with officials that have your attitude. Maybe officiating is not for you. I know younger officials that do all those things you seem to despise. Also I know younger officials who do this more so than veterans who have been around for decades and are less accomplished. Whatever floats your boat.

Peace

[Rita C]

[QUOTE=JRutledge



Actually Rita, I do not want to work with officials that have your attitude. Maybe officiating is not for you. I know younger officials that do all those things you seem to despise. Also I know younger officials who do this more so than veterans who have been around for decades and are less accomplished. Whatever floats your boat.

Peace[/QUOTE]

You don't want to work with someone who wants to do her best at every game? As I said, it's been a rough year but I can see improvement. I found the other day that when I was reading the officiating manual that it was finally making sense on the level that means I've gotten to the point that I'm starting to fine tune the mechanics instead of having it all be Greek.

What did I say that I despised?

Very interesting. Chip on your shoulder too?

Rita

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rita C

You don't want to work with someone who wants to do her best at every game?

Doing your best is not having a pre-game? Then you talk about quitting because someone going over a post game?

Originally Posted by Rita C

As I said, it's been a rough year but I can see improvement. I found the other day that when I was reading the officiating manual that it was finally making sense on the level that means I've gotten to the point that I'm starting to fine tune the mechanics instead of having it all be Greek.

Remember, you started this post. None of us have a dog in the fight as to why you want to officiate or not.

Originally Posted by Rita C

What did I say that I despised?

Very interesting. Chip on your shoulder too?

Rita, you are upset because "big dogs" (your words) want to go over stuff before the game. You did not say anything about "big dogs" being rude or unprofessional. You said they it was more fun to work with people that did not go over those things. I did not make that claim or create a post about this topic, YOU DID!!! Not sure how I would have a chip on my shoulder by pointing this out. Also if you want to be seen a professional and someone that wants to improve, you go over things before and after games. Even when I work with younger officials, I ask them "Did you see anything (that I personally did) that you want to talk about?" I want to talk about things because I might have done something that was not correct or they might think I did something right. Either way in most games we officiate, no one is around evaluating us. So I like to hear things from my partners that we could have done better. That is "trying to get better" in my opinion. Trying to get better does not mean getting upset with your partners and contemplating why younger officials quit just because someone had a pre-game and post-game.

Peace

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Doing your best is not having a pre-game? Then you talk about quitting because someone going over a post game?



Remember, you started this post. None of us have a dog in the fight as to why you want to officiate or not.



Rita, you are upset because "big dogs" (your words) want to go over stuff before the game. You did not say anything about "big dogs" being rude or unprofessional. You said they it was more fun to work with people that did not go over those things. I did not make that claim or create a post about this topic, YOU DID!!! Not sure how I would have a chip on my shoulder by pointing this out. Also if you want to be seen a professional and someone that wants to improve, you go over things before and after games. Even when I work with younger officials, I ask them "Did you see anything (that I personally did) that you want to talk about?" I want to talk about things because I might have done something that was not correct or they might think I did something right. Either way in most games we officiate, no one is around evaluating us. So I like to hear things from my partners that we could have done better. That is "trying to get better" in my opinion. Trying to get better does not mean getting upset with your partners and contemplating why younger officials quit just because someone had a pre-game and post-game.

Peace

You need to read more carefully. I did say I appreciate the input of the "big dogs". I never said I was upset that we do pregames and post games. And if more of them were like your last paragraph, it would be delightful.

I didn't say I would quit over a postgame like what you described. I did say the postgame that made me think about it was terrible. He didn't let up and told me the same thing over and over and told me to suck it up. And he snapped at me on the court. (Totally out of the blue. I had no idea something was wrong.) You don't think that was unprofessional? I did. And told him so later. And got an apology.

But maybe that's one of the things missing this year: Postgames like you describe. Maybe I need to listen and see. I know that's how it used to be and I felt more a part of it. Maybe that's one of the things missing this season.

But it's all more than just being professional. It also needs to be fun. Maybe I'm just using you all as a sounding board to find it. Even though I think you are misreading me, your words are helping find something.

I know what I'm feeling and I know what I'm saying. But I find it interesting what all you all are hearing. It's giving me some good insight.

Rita

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Tonight I reffed a JV game with two referees who are NOT super focussed on doing state games or advancing. Just content to do the best they personally can do.

I appreciate the pregames and the postgames of the big dogs. I learn a lot from them. But one game once in a while where I can just go out and officiate and enjoy the game and be my own critiquer and work on what I need to work on and then go home is quite refreshing and a needed break.

Rita, these are your words from posts in this thread. Now you tell me what about this might you think me and others might have a problem with?

Originally Posted by Rita C

I didn't say I would quit over a postgame like what you described. I did say the postgame that made me think about it was terrible. He didn't let up and told me the same thing over and over and told me to suck it up. And he snapped at me on the court. (Totally out of the blue. I had no idea something was wrong.) You don't think that was unprofessional? I did. And told him so later. And got an apology.

Rita, I did not describe anything about a pre-game in detail. I just said you should have them and if you want to get better, there is nothing wrong with them.

Also the incident you described had little or nothing to do with having a pre-game or post game. That was more likely a guy being a jerk and unprofessional. But this was not the justification of your post. If it was, you should have said something else. I read exactly what you said and it was not very clear if this was part of your angst.

Originally Posted by Rita C

But maybe that's one of the things missing this year: Postgames like you describe. Maybe I need to listen and see. I know that's how it used to be and I felt more a part of it. Maybe that's one of the things missing this season.

Rita, I am just one official. I have a style that might not fit others that officiate. That does not mean that others are unprofessional because they want to discuss things before a game and after a game.

Originally Posted by Rita C

But it's all more than just being professional. It also needs to be fun. Maybe I'm just using you all as a sounding board to find it. Even though I think you are misreading me, your words are helping find something.

Having fun with anything is what you make it. If others are taking away your fun, then you need to reevaluate (in my opinion) why you are out there. All those things would not take away my enjoyment. Those incidents might be challenging, but I cannot see those taking away my fun.

Originally Posted by Rita C

I know what I'm feeling and I know what I'm saying. But I find it interesting what all you all are hearing. It's giving me some good insight.

Rita

I am not sure that is true. You called someone defensive because they did not agree with your take. So if these are good insights for you, you have to be willing to take advice that you might not want to hear. Not everyone is going to pat you on the back and tell you how wonderful you are. At least not in the real world.

Peace