Carrying a weak partner

[blindzebra]

All you can do is do everything the right way, be a great partner, communicate well at every opportunity, and pay close attention to all the game management issues.

When all that fails, extend as much as you can to keep the players safe, and get in, get done, get out.

[truerookie]

I do not like the term weak partner. It seems harsh. I view those individuals whom may not have fully developed their officiating as a working progress. We all were once viewed into this WEAK PARTNER manner when we first started.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by truerookie

I do not like the term weak partner. It seems harsh. I view those individuals whom may not have fully developed their officiating as a working progress. We all were once viewed into this WEAK PARTNER manner when we first started.

Rook-- I respectfully disagree. I would define someone who is just starting out as a "rookie" or a "beginner" or "in over his head". A "weak partner" is someone who probably should be able to handle this game, but just isn't making it, somehow.

There are plenty of those who are working hard and trying to get better, but they're just not there yet. They make plenty of mistakes, but it's a different kind of mistakes from the person who's been reffing for 5 or 6 years and still can't handle a 7th grade girls' game.

The rookie can be instructed and can be managed, he's coachable. The stronger partner can work with him, and help them both work together better. That weak partner is the one who inspired the phrase, "Get in, get done, get out".

Btw, I get the feeling you're a rookie, and not a weaker partner. But of course, I've never worked with you.

[truerookie]

Rainmaker, I respectfully, respectfully do not wholeheartly agree with you. I am not trying to defend anyone I'm just stating that the term "weak partner" is too harsh of a term. In our own personal opinions, anyone could be classified as a "weak partner if they do not meet our expectations as officials. This is my point.

The rookie can be instructed and can be managed, he's coachable. The stronger partner can work with him, and help them both work together better. That weak partner is the one who inspired the phrase, "Get in, get done, get out".

I understand from your aformentioned statement that consistency is optimum when working with someone who needs more seasoning as an official. However, what about those officials whom been calling five or six years and all it's been is Rec Ball. How do we categorize them?

a) rookie
b) beginner
c) in over their head
d) weak partner

Finally, I like the parting shot you took. You have in your own personal opinion just categorize me as a rookie. Why do we have to put people in categories we do not know personally?

Btw, I get the feeling you're a rookie, and not a weaker partner. But of course, I've never worked with you.[/QUOTE]

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by truerookie

Finally, I like the parting shot you took. You have in your own personal opinion just categorize me as a rookie. Why do we have to put people in categories we do not know personally?

Btw, I get the feeling you're a rookie, and not a weaker partner. But of course, I've never worked with you.

I don't think it was a shot. I think it was intended to be a compliment. You may be a new guy (rookie), but you want to get better, you're willing to discuss and learn and you're on your way to being a good official. You're NOT a 7th year guy who's still only doing rec leagues (weaker partner).

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I don't think it was a shot. I think it was intended to be a compliment. You may be a new guy (rookie), but you want to get better, you're willing to discuss and learn and you're on your way to being a good official. You're NOT a 7th year guy who's still only doing rec leagues (weaker partner).

Scrapper, initially, I did not see it as a compliment. I viewed it as a shot based on the content of the thread. However, now you have pointed it out. I can err on the compliment side aspect.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by truerookie

Scrapper, initially, I did not see it as a compliment. I viewed it as a shot based on the content of the thread. However, now you have pointed it out. I can err on the compliment side aspect.

Right. I was calling you what you call yourself, a rookie. And doing it in a good way. You are NOT a weak partner, even if you're in over your head, sometimes.

In answer to your question about what to call someone who's done several years of rec only, I'd say it depends largely on their attitude. When they first come into "official" ball, are they willing to take the next step? Do they listen to suggestions and try to get better? Then they're rookies-who-are-working-hard. Or taking-the-next-step. Or if they get into a tough game, but give it their best, they're in over their head, but working hard and learning fast. Otherwise, they're just "weak partners".