NCAAA Final

[earmitage]

Originally Posted by Junker

You are certainly entitled to that opinion. I can assure you that when you are actually on the floor, things look entirely different. Officials are taught to referee the defense so while you, as a fan are probably watching the ball, the official is watching the defender get into position. Before I was an official, I was very much a fan. I'd sit in the upper deck yelling and screaming about calls. Then, after the first minute of my first game, I realized that it was much different when you are actually out there and I didn't have any idea what I was yelling about.

I understand where you are coming from. It can be one of the most difficult plays to call in basketball. When I watch a game, though, I do review it (via DVR) a great deal while the game is going on and in the vast majority of times I would say I get it right the first time. Not all the time but certainly more often than not. Just as all officials are not entirely competent by taking courses and suiting up, not all fans are out to lunch, as some seem to feel on this site. I have played a lot of ball, have received my fair share of accolades in the sport, and even officiated my boys at the lower levels. I have seen good officiating and I have seen atrocious officiating. It comes with the turf. We are all human. What I am getting at though, regarding the correct call on the charge/block issue and so many other intracacies of the game, is the game seems to have somewhat spiraled out of control. I am not putting the blame on the officials as much as I am those who oversee the direction of the game. I know the officials only implement the rules dictated to them.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by earmitage

When I watch a game, though, I do review it (via DVR) a great deal while the game is going on and in the vast majority of times I would say I get it right the first time.

What does this mean?

You sit on the couch with beer in 1 hand and remote in the other mumbling "yep yep, he go that one wrong too" while 'reviewing' the calls and no calls made during a televised games?

How precious.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

What does this mean?

You sit on the couch with beer in 1 hand and remote in the other mumbling "yep yep, he go that one wrong too" while 'reviewing' the calls and no calls made during a televised games?

How precious.

How can you say that, Dan(he said in an outraged voice)?

Didn't you read the part where this gentleman said that he had played a lot of ball? And not only that, he has also received his fair share of accolades in the sport? That certainly should mean a heckuva more than the poor schnook that only reads the rulebooks, learns the mechanics, does hundreds of games at all levels to get experience, goes to camps, and then spends many years learning about officiating before finally working his way up to getting some NCAA assignments.

I really think that next year the NCAA should hold a lottery and let 3 winning fans officiate the final game. The only prerequisite to enter might be that they have "played the game". Or maybe "watched the game" if they think that those restrictions are too severe.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by earmitage

What I am getting at though, regarding the correct call on the charge/block issue and so many other intracacies of the game, is the game seems to have somewhat spiraled out of control. I am not putting the blame on the officials as much as I am those who oversee the direction of the game. I know the officials only implement the rules dictated to them.

This takes us back to my earlier question. How would you have the rule worded, then?

[Junker]

You sound like a pretty well informed fan. You'll find, around this site, as long as you are asking legitimate questions and considering the responses before you reply, you'll get some pretty good information. You are correct that the game has changed over time. Athletes are bigger and stronger and the powers that be (NCAA administrators, assignors and coaches) do dictate how the game is called. If you want to continue to work in their leagues, you call the game they want. For better or worse, that is the way it is at all levels. A good example is the Oden hanging on the rim thread. I completely understand why he isn't given a T at that level for obviously violating the rule. As a fan and an official not moving up the chain I'd like to see that T called because it is something in the game that I don't think belongs there. Just to show I'm not biased, I think the Florida player that did the little shimmy-dance after he dunked should have gotten a T as well, but then I'm not on that game and the officials that were are there for a reason.

[earmitage]

Originally Posted by Junker

You sound like a pretty well informed fan. You'll find, around this site, as long as you are asking legitimate questions and considering the responses before you reply, you'll get some pretty good information. You are correct that the game has changed over time. Athletes are bigger and stronger and the powers that be (NCAA administrators, assignors and coaches) do dictate how the game is called. If you want to continue to work in their leagues, you call the game they want. For better or worse, that is the way it is at all levels. A good example is the Oden hanging on the rim thread. I completely understand why he isn't given a T at that level for obviously violating the rule. As a fan and an official not moving up the chain I'd like to see that T called because it is something in the game that I don't think belongs there. Just to show I'm not biased, I think the Florida player that did the little shimmy-dance after he dunked should have gotten a T as well, but then I'm not on that game and the officials that were are there for a reason.

I couldn't agree more. Oden, and any other player, who does a chin up on the rim while dunking should be hit with a foul, no questions asked, and that malarky would stop pronto. It makes me sick when I see officials allow this kind of garbage. It is not part of the game. If guys like Nevadaref and the rest are going cite chapter and verse from the rule book how can they possibly defend the officials allowing this? Corbett and crew should get some courage and stop that nonsense in its tracks. It was lucky Oden didn't kick anyone in the face. And the only reason he didn't is because the others players got "the message" early on. Oden is a looming star, don't mess.

[All_Heart]

Originally Posted by earmitage

I couldn't agree more. Oden, and any other player, who does a chin up on the rim while dunking should be hit with a foul, no questions asked, and that malarky would stop pronto. It makes me sick when I see officials allow this kind of garbage. It is not part of the game. If guys like Nevadaref and the rest are going cite chapter and verse from the rule book how can they possibly defend the officials allowing this? Corbett and crew should get some courage and stop that nonsense in its tracks. It was lucky Oden didn't kick anyone in the face. And the only reason he didn't is because the others players got "the message" early on. Oden is a looming star, don't mess.

THIS IS NOT DUE TO THE OFFICIALS PERSONALLY ALLOWING IT. IT IS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO CALL IT FROM THEIR SUPERVISORS. SO PLEASE WHINE ABOUT THE SUPERVISORS AND/OR COACHES BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES DICTATING THIS!

[earmitage]

Originally Posted by All_Heart

THIS IS NOT DUE TO THE OFFICIALS PERSONALLY ALLOWING IT. IT IS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO CALL IT FROM THEIR SUPERVISORS. SO PLEASE WHINE ABOUT THE SUPERVISORS AND/OR COACHES BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES DICTATING THIS!

I made this point in an earlier post. I realize they are only the foot soldiers, following orders.