Welcome back JMO/OldSchool/KSRef. :rolleyes:

On the few times I have worked alone (MS or wrec) I call the coaches together, before the game explain the situation, tell em I will do my best, obviously won't see everything (especially 3 seconds, off ball fouls, baseline out of bounds) etc.

Most are sympathetic and are thankful they have someone to call the game and it's not one of them or a parent from the stands. :)

I would not tell them up front to expect problems (I know -- that's not what you said exactly, but that's how they might interpret it).

Just work the game as best as you can.

Oftentimes, saying less is more and players tend to be more honest on OOB calls on the end lines. They know the situation. If it happens in the regular season, collect both game fees. Unless the varsity guys help you out.

As Gordon and others have said, you do what you have to do. In fact I have been told that my Wednesday Sub V games, I will probably be alone because my assignor is having trouble feeling all the games. Thus this was very helpful practice for the real game coming. Hopefully I will have a partner, but if I dont, there will be a game and I will give them my best for that night. I want the kids to play.

:(
You should reflect upon this POE.

2004-05 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

4. Specific unsporting acts. The committee is concerned about the following specific unsporting acts. Coaches, players and officials must pay particular attention to these areas:

B. 'Flopping.' The defensive player or screener acting as though he or she has been charged by an opponent, when in fact he or she has not been, definitely has an impact on the game. It is detrimental to the best interests of basketball. The "actor" wants to create the false impression that he or she has been fouled in the charging/guarding situation, or while he or she is screening when in either case there is no contact or incidental contact. The "actor" falls to the court as though he or she were knocked down by the force of the contact. Those actions are designed to have a foul charged to the opponent – a foul not deserved. The "flop" also incites spectators. The rules are in place to deal with such activity and must be enforced. A technical foul is charged to the "actor" in all cases. Coaches can have a positive impact by appropriately dealing with players who fake being fouled. It is not a part of the game. Officials must penalize the act.

Whenever a player flops and then complains that he didn't get the call, I tell him, "the Oscars are in February". :p

And if it happens in February, you say NEXT February. Right?

In some (most?) areas, contracts for games are worked out collectively between the school board and the officials organization - refusing to a game because your partner doesn't show may be a violation of said contract in some locales. Just something everybody ought to be aware of.

And some official associations have it specified in the contract that solo reffing is not allowed. Unless there are at least two officials present the game cannot be played. This is done for insurance reasons. We have that in my HS soccer group. The state office does allow us to work non-varsity games with only one ref, if both teams agree to play.

Well said, NV. A lot of coaches/fans forget this fact, or don't even know it is something on concern. Officials could put themselves in tough spots if they work the game.

I only have last years books and this years. But this is good to know. I do know it is in the rules, however, my chapter "recommended" we not call the Tech for flopping. I do agree this behavior incites others, including parents who believe their child was hit; i witnessed it. Perhaps I should say something directly to the player and coach? Or if I give a Tech, it would certainly stop, I would just have a coach screaming that I blew the call and it wasnt a flop. It seems to me if the players are coached to do this, then they do not understand why they do not get the call, they get frustrated and begin to play rough. Perhaps a warning for the first flop and a tech for subsquent flops? Should this be discussed in pregame talk with coaches and then inforeced?

I have to give a thumbs down to that recommendation by your local association. Why do they feel that they know better than the NFHS committee?
That said, if you are looking for something between calling nothing and immediately calling a T, you could call the first instance a blocking foul. That works for some people.

Personally, I think that we should just enforce the rules. That will clean up the game.

I will reconfirm with my association that I understand what they are trying to do in this situation and mention your POE from 2004-05. Perhaps I misunderstood how they want us to address it. I will give the block some thought, although it really wasnt. Neither player seemed affected on the play, other than the acting and the player having to scramble off the floor, looking at his coach with his hands in the air..... (will juulie get upset if I say he screamed like a girl? :) )
Thanks.

Just to be clear I'm not saying that a block is the correct call. It certainly isn't in cases of no contact. However, it is a call that some people use in this situation and is an idea that I thought to share with you.