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

[zebraman]

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

[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.

[jer166]

Originally Posted by 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.

But we aren't talking about rules enforcement here.

[ChrisSportsFan]

I don't stretch on the floor and I don't stretch in the locker room either, it hurts to much.

[Adam]

and I definitely don't warm up. It requires too much energy. I'm too lazy.

[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?

[rockyroad]

As one who has some lower back issues, I will sometimes squat down during warm-ups as that stretches my lower back out some...but that's all I do, is squat there while the teams are warming up - looks kinda tacky, but I'd rather that than have a spasm in the first minute of the game.

[ChrisSportsFan]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

As one who has some lower back issues, I will sometimes squat down during warm-ups as that stretches my lower back out some...but that's all I do, is squat there while the teams are warming up - looks kinda tacky, but I'd rather that than have a spasm in the first minute of the game.

I really don't have a problem with a squat or 3 on the floor so long as you don't rip out your pants and you can get up on your own.

I know that sometimes I tighten up a bit when standing for 15 minutes but I don't make a big to-do about stretching. My biggest deal is that my knees stiffen when standing there.

[tomegun]

I work with guys who do this all the time and I don't think it is a big deal. Have I done it? Yes, but I don't do it all the time because I don't have a set routine.
Most of the guys I know who do this do it at college games. I don't think a lot of high school officials, the ones I work with at least, do it because they are about to piss on themselves because of the game.

[Mark Padgett]

What do you guys think about stretching in the men's room?

(Larry Craig icon)