Pre-game Stretching

[rfp]

What is your opinion of how much stretching & warm-ups should be done by officials courtside (as opposed to in the officials' dressing room) prior to gametime? I will usually stretch prior to coming onto the court at the 15-minute mark and do some simple stretching while on the court to stay loose. But I've seen officials jogging from midcourt to baseline on the sideline as part of their warm-up routine. I think this prevents them from their main responsibility of observing the teams' warm-ups and generally looks poor. For purposes of this post, level = high school varsity.

[JRutledge]

I personally do not feel you should do much stretching at all out on the court. Now that does not mean that if you can briefly and discreetly stretch a hamstring (while standing up) that might be OK, but I would not make a habit of this. I would not at all be running from one end of the court to another out on the court. That is a little much. Stretching should be mainly for the locker-room or off the floor.

Peace

[jer166]

Sounds sort of tacky. I bet it looks even worse. Stretch in the locker room & not on the floor.

[tjones1]

I agree. In the dressing room, if possible. If it's too small, step outside and do it there. Be ready to go when you get on the floor.

[Y2Koach]

From a coaches perspective, I view officials that go through extensive stretching routines on the court (part Rambo, part Richard Simmons, all business) as an official that potentially could be an attention-monger, trying to show everyone that "I'm ready for business so don't mess with me, look at how much I care and how serious I am." The type that love to make the dramatic calls, jumping in the air with a full twist and the hammer of Thor on a foul on a made shot, the type that flail their arms like they are directing a 747 landing when calling off a made shot on a charge call...

Not that this is the case, but that's my first impression whenever (rarely) I do see an official on the court doing their Ed T. Rush taebo jazzercise before a game.

[Jay R]

It should discreet if you do anything at all.

NBA officials will do alot of stretching and running on the court. When I make to the NBA, I'll do the same.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Y2Koach

From a coaches perspective, I view officials that go through extensive stretching routines on the court (part Rambo, part Richard Simmons, all business) as an official that potentially could be an attention-monger, trying to show everyone that "I'm ready for business so don't mess with me, look at how much I care and how serious I am." The type that love to make the dramatic calls, jumping in the air with a full twist and the hammer of Thor on a foul on a made shot, the type that flail their arms like they are directing a 747 landing when calling off a made shot on a charge call...

Not that this is the case, but that's my first impression whenever (rarely) I do see an official on the court doing their Ed T. Rush taebo jazzercise before a game.

Interesting perspective. What's your impression of an official that's carrying around an extra 40lbs. of a gut?

[zebraman]

At the varsity level, none. The crew should be prepared and ready to work when they hit the floor.