Get In, Get Done, Get Out

[Hartsy]

It's been a while, but last night was one of those where I just wanted to get off the court and go home. The problem was I didn't know how to handle my partner, and it just made us both look bad.

He was rarely in position, didn't know where to go for throw ins, whether a throw in was his to administer or mine, called my OOB lines, didn't point directions, didn't raise an arm to stop clock (so I was clueless if he had a foul or violation), everything you could do wrong he did. To top it off, his rules knowledge seemed weak, and his judgement marginal.

Early on in our two game set, he called a foul at the baseline (where I was administering a throw in) from the OPPOSITE BASELINE!!! I saw the contact clearly, and it was insignificant. I knew then (actually even before) it was going to be a long night. He even mentioned this call at halftime, wondering why there was such a heated reaction to his call.

Another time, I was sideline in transition, with a play coming toward me. The ball was passed down the sideline, bounces in bounds, and may have been caught in bounds, but from across court I hear a whistle. Again, no stop clock signal. I didn't know what he had, so I make eye contact and wait. He comes in and says "was that OOB?" After the game, he jumps me, and says he was hoping to get some help on that call. BTW, this was under 2 minutes left in a 2 point game.

Anything to do in these cases other than Get In, Get Done, Get Out? I didn't know where to start with this guy. Nothing I said or did seemed to register with him. Would it have helped to really hammer him with all this at halftime and between games?

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Hartsy

After the game, he jumps me, and says he was hoping to get some help on that call.

I'm interested in what folks have to say on the rest of your post, but as for this one it would get a pretty strong and direct reaction from me - "You're not getting help on a bad call when you're calling out of position and I don't even have a clue what your call is..."

[mick]

Originally Posted by Hartsy

Another time, I was sideline in transition, with a play coming toward me. The ball was passed down the sideline, bounces in bounds, and may have been caught in bounds, but from across court I hear a whistle. Again, no stop clock signal. I didn't know what he had, so I make eye contact and wait. He comes in and says "was that OOB?" After the game, he jumps me, and says he was hoping to get some help on that call. BTW, this was under 2 minutes left in a 2 point game.

When he asked you the question, what did you do?

[Hartsy]

Originally Posted by mick

When he asked you the question, what did you do?

I asked him, "Are you Old School, by chance?"

No. Really, I just looked at him quizically for a second, until he went rambling on to something else. I was already packed so I made a run for it at that point.

[Ignats75]

I asked him, "Are you Old School, by chance?"

Are you aware that Coca-cola through the nose HURTS????

Now come up here and clean off my screen and keyboard!!!!!!

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Are you aware that Coca-cola through the nose HURTS????

Now come up here and clean off my screen and keyboard!!!!!!

Just goes to show the dangers of drinking & typing....

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Hartsy

I asked him, "Are you Old School, by chance?"

You didn't mention if this partner was newer or more "experienced" than you. That would have an effect on how you handle them. Also, did the school hire the officials, or did it come through an assignor? If you deal with an assignor, I would let them know your concerns.

[Mountaineer]

It was disappointing to open this thread and find out it was about officiating . . .

[stmaryrams]

It all depends on how comfortable you are with confrontation. I had partner issues on Friday that amazed both myself and the coaches but not to the extent you described.

My Friday partner granted a time out to the team on defense as the offense was bringing the ball up the court and then said "No, No, you don't have the ball so you cannot have a timeout" At the half I told him that when an official grants a time out, he grants a time out whether or not you kicked the possession situation. He had even started to the table to report the TO.

I did it in a friendly manner so as not to have to work the second half just carrying him.

BTW - He wasn't Old School either.

[jmaellis]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

It was disappointing to open this thread and find out it was about officiating . . .

That's funny.

[Hartsy]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

You didn't mention if this partner was newer or more "experienced" than you. That would have an effect on how you handle them. Also, did the school hire the officials, or did it come through an assignor? If you deal with an assignor, I would let them know your concerns.

I'm in my 4th season, this guy is newer, but has worked at least two seasons.

The game was given to me by an assignor who will not be assigning next season. I suppose I need to wait and talk to the next assignor. Maybe I should ask the current assignor if anyone else has voiced concerns about this guy

[mrmotivation]

Hey guys -

Thanks for the comments. I understand your comments regarding my professionalism errrr.....lack of professionalism. I do understand that it wasn't right for me to say, but I got caught up in the heat of the moment with large amounts of frustration. I am sorry.

I was the only one that was assigned to this game by the assignor. The other guy just pretty much comes with the gym as he is a local.

I guess the other problem I had with last night is I ref a pretty neutral game. Honestly I could care less who wins as long as everyone plays hard, has a good time, and is safe. I felt that from the end of the first half, my partner was not going to let the visiting team beat his hometown. I can't stand this more than anything. Kids, coaches, parents, etc. need to know how to lose as much as they need to know how to win. The visiting should've easily won this game, but got beat by 10. At one point in the 3rd quarter the fouls were like 12 to 1 (home team) and it wasn't that physical of a game. That is all I am going to say about that. I just think it is unfortunate for the kids that the game isn't played fair.

Thanks for the posts guys!


Mr. Motivation


PS - The highlight of the night during the JV game.......A DUNK by one of the reserves. It was great!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Hartsy

Anything to do in these cases other than Get In, Get Done, Get Out?

Nope.

You can't make chicken soup out of chicken sh!t.

[co2ice]

The one thing I do is make sure I never work with that guy again.
Did you talk to him at half and tell him to stay in his area, or anything along those lines? We have a guy in our Assoc. that cant quit watching the ball and loves making calls all over the court. I've blocked him as a partner and I know several others who have as well. I would have let him know right away that you're not helping him on that call because it was your call in your area and what the HE$$ is he doing trying to make that call.

[psujaye]

the only thing you can do is that if you sense your partner is inexperienced and needs some help before halftime, try to offer it. I work a few rec leagues and end up working with inexperienced officials frequently. if you can figure out if he wants to learn, you can probably help him enough with a halftime crash course to make it through another half of basketball without any issues. if he doesn't want your help/advice, i'd pray to the referee Gods for a smooth rest of game. It sounds like he was an amateur rookie at best, but we've all been there.