Are you fans too??.... or just refs

[eyezen]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

When I'm training refs in our kids rec league, I tell them that if a 3rd or 4th grader actually makes a free throw, go over and shake his/her hand. It really "humanizes" the game. The parents and the kids both love it.

I'm a big fan of seeing the younger kids do something great. I had a 7th grader dunk in a game once (he was about 6'3"). The place went nuts. I actually called an official's timeout so everyone could congratulate him. You can do this kind of thing in a rec league.

Bad advice but I'm trying to figure out if this is a joke or not...with this guy you never know.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by eyezen

Bad advice but I'm trying to figure out if this is a joke or not...with this guy you never know.

With Mark, my guess is he actually did these things. But, if you look, he also said, "You can do this kind of thing in a rec league game." That's the key. Also look at the age of the kids where he shakes their hand after a made FT. I would not recommend it outside of where he has done it. And you need to have the right personality to pull it off even in these very limited situations.

[eyezen]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

With Mark, my guess is he actually did these things. But, if you look, he also said, "You can do this kind of thing in a rec league game." That's the key.

I did look and I realize what he said.

Maybe in you area made free throws are special events worthy of a gladhand from the ref, but around here free throws are pretty routine even in the 3rd and 4th grade, now if it was 3 and 4 yr olds on a regulation hoop maybe.

And as far as the dunk from the 6'3" kid, what about the 30 footer from the 4'6" kid? Are you stopping the game there too?

Rec or not, where does it end? There are enough issues with "look at me" now we're encouraging it.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by eyezen

Rec or not, where does it end? There are enough issues with "look at me" now we're encouraging it.

I may be getting in trouble for speaking for Mark, but I believe he does it because at that age, winning or losing doesn't matter; playing the game does. Maybe in your area, 3rd and 4th grade games are very important to kids' D-1 scholarships. In that case, you need to call the game with the same seriousness as any varsity-level contest. In Mark's case, I heard he's been around since the year after dirt was invented, so he may not feel the need to convince anyone of his officiating abilities, and he may be trying to convey a slightly different level of seriousness at those levels.

It also takes a certain personality to be able to pull it off, even there. Maybe you and I doing things like that will come off as self-serving; maybe Mark doing it makes the kids look and feel good about the accomplishment. What works for one official, even at the highest levels, may not work for another. What works at one level may not work at another as well.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by eyezen

I did look and I realize what he said.

Maybe in you area made free throws are special events worthy of a gladhand from the ref, but around here free throws are pretty routine even in the 3rd and 4th grade, now if it was 3 and 4 yr olds on a regulation hoop maybe.

And as far as the dunk from the 6'3" kid, what about the 30 footer from the 4'6" kid? Are you stopping the game there too?

Rec or not, where does it end? There are enough issues with "look at me" now we're encouraging it.

Oooohh...the slippery slope, always one of my favorites!

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I may be getting in trouble for speaking for Mark,

Don't worry, he'll swoop in saying it's all just a joke and in the meantime Juulie will be defending his words by offering explanations that would make a pretzel cringe in pain.

Anyways...carry on!

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Don't worry, he'll swoop in saying it's all just a joke and in the meantime Juulie will be defending his words by offering explanations that would make a pretzel cringe in pain.

Anyways...carry on!

Wow, that's so empathetic of you.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Wow, that's so empathetic of you.

Dan is the epitome of empathy....... nay,a veritable Emperor of Empathy.

You could call him the empathy President.

[eyezen]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I may be getting in trouble for speaking for Mark, but I believe he does it because at that age, winning or losing doesn't matter; playing the game does. Maybe in your area, 3rd and 4th grade games are very important to kids' D-1 scholarships. In that case, you need to call the game with the same seriousness as any varsity-level contest.

I never said anything about d-1 scholarships. I never said it was win at all costs. I never said to call it like a varsity district final. I said that made free throws for 8 and 9 year olds are routine events that don't have cause for glorious celebration.

It also takes a certain personality to be able to pull it off, even there. Maybe you and I doing things like that will come off as self-serving; maybe Mark doing it makes the kids look and feel good about the accomplishment. What works for one official, even at the highest levels, may not work for another. What works at one level may not work at another as well.

I'm sure that the kids get enough touchy feely from the helos but otherwise what you say is true.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by eyezen

I never said anything about d-1 scholarships. I never said it was win at all costs. I never said to call it like a varsity district final. I said that made free throws for 8 and 9 year olds are routine events that don't have cause for glorious celebration.

Ok, I'll admit the overstatement on D-1 scholarships, if you admit the overstatement on "glorious celebration".

I think there has been a move away from the fact that these are "games". And it has filtered down to even the lowest levels. Some people are just trying to put a little perspective back into the game. Celebrate something routine? Nah. Acknowledge a good play? Sure, why not?