Yikes! Five straight games!

[Mark Padgett]

I must have been in another dimension (which isn't that unusual for me) but I just accepted a five game shift of a very competitive MS tournament this Saturday. I start at 1:20 and the last game won't be over until after 8:00. The tourney is at the local HS so all games are on a full size HS court and they are all 8th grade boys - you know, the type of kids that like to run, run, run. There's only 10-15 minutes between games so not much time to rest my reconstructed knees. Also, I guess I'll just have to scarf down some peanut butter sandwiches around dinner time. Maybe I can do that during free throws?

The upside is that three of the games are with a partner I haven't seen in over two years. We used to work together quite a bit, but then our schedules just didn't mesh. He's a pretty good guy and fun to work with.

Oh yeah - I have three more games starting at 8:00 the next morning. At least these are at an elementary school and are "only" 6th graders - I hope.

The ambulance number is still 911, isn't it?

[mkiogima]

I know exactly what you are feeling (and what you will be feeling). I did a tournament for an independant group and ended up doing 12 games on a Saturday then four more on Sunday. There was a 7-13 age group for girls and boys and then a 14-18 age group for girls and boys and I had a good mix of games so it wasn't too bad.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I must have been in another dimension (which isn't that unusual for me) but I just accepted a five game shift of a very competitive MS tournament this Saturday. I start at 1:20 and the last game won't be over until after 8:00. The tourney is at the local HS so all games are on a full size HS court and they are all 8th grade boys - you know, the type of kids that like to run, run, run. There's only 10-15 minutes between games so not much time to rest my reconstructed knees. Also, I guess I'll just have to scarf down some peanut butter sandwiches around dinner time. Maybe I can do that during free throws?

The upside is that three of the games are with a partner I haven't seen in over two years. We used to work together quite a bit, but then our schedules just didn't mesh. He's a pretty good guy and fun to work with.

Oh yeah - I have three more games starting at 8:00 the next morning. At least these are at an elementary school and are "only" 6th graders - I hope.

The ambulance number is still 911, isn't it?

Why not get ahold of ABC to fill in some of that?

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Why not get ahold of ABC to fill in some of that?

Are you kidding? Will would come to my house, rip off my head and use it to practice free throws.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Are you kidding? Will would come to my house, rip off my head and use it to practice free throws.

Okay, call me ahead of time, so I can watch?

[Splute]

There is no way I could do five games and then more first thing the next morning..... Cudos to you. (actually I think you are mental), I mean, where are those meds?????

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Okay, call me ahead of time, so I can watch?

Only if you then post the video on Youtube.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I must have been in another dimension (which isn't that unusual for me) but I just accepted a five game shift of a very competitive MS tournament this Saturday. I start at 1:20 and the last game won't be over until after 8:00. The tourney is at the local HS so all games are on a full size HS court and they are all 8th grade boys - you know, the type of kids that like to run, run, run. There's only 10-15 minutes between games so not much time to rest my reconstructed knees. Also, I guess I'll just have to scarf down some peanut butter sandwiches around dinner time. Maybe I can do that during free throws?

The upside is that three of the games are with a partner I haven't seen in over two years. We used to work together quite a bit, but then our schedules just didn't mesh. He's a pretty good guy and fun to work with.

Oh yeah - I have three more games starting at 8:00 the next morning. At least these are at an elementary school and are "only" 6th graders - I hope.

The ambulance number is still 911, isn't it?

Well, if you do that, at least you won't have to talk to any coaches as your mouth will be glued shut.

[Bearfanmike20]

I'm doing a 4 spot on sat.. so I'll be right there with you.

[Mark Dexter]

Good luck!

My worst was five in a row. This was in the evening after an afternoon of scorekeeping for two D-I varsity games. Wasn't so much the body that was tired, but the mind.

Now, I try to not work more than 3 games back-to-back.

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

Good luck!

My worst was five in a row. This was in the evening after an afternoon of scorekeeping for two D-I varsity games. Wasn't so much the body that was tired, but the mind.

Now, I try to not work more than 3 games back-to-back.

I'm gonna have time to grab lunch but thats it...

[Coltdoggs]

I'm generally doing 3-5 on the weekends...My rec league is only playing on Saturdays this year so I'm going to take Sunday's off, I think....

I've gotten used to it over the years. I really don't like to do more than 5...the mind get's tired...

[Mark Padgett]

Finally, some good news, I think. In looking over the entire day's schedule (which is posted on RefTown, Camron Rust's excellent scheduling website), there are three gyms listed at that HS for games this weekend. The school has only two gyms, the "big" gym and a smaller one. I think that means the "big" gym will be split into two floors. This has happened before for this kind of tourney. That means I probably will be working on a floor that's only about 65% of standard HS size. Every little bit helps.

[TimTaylor]

Every little bit helps Mark!

My longest day was a few years back when I was still doing CYO. Their new interim assigner (volleyball guy, knows squat about basketball) gave me 8 straight "A" level 7th & 8th grade games on a full size HS floor....oh and did I mention that he forgot to assign me a partner. When I was finally able to get ahold of him after game 3, he didn't seem to think it was any big deal, but said he'd try to find me some help - someone finally showed up to help with the last two. This ding-a-ling screwed up by the numbers throughout the season, then was hired to do the job permanently because of "the great job he did" - which is why I and a bunch of others no longer work CYO........

[A Pennsylvania Coach]

Wow. I don't know how you do it. I had my first three-game day last Saturday, and that was all 6th grade travel league, two in one gym, drive 30 minutes, one more. Tomorrow I have two afternoon travel league games and HS JV Boys (first one of those) at 6:30 and I'm already planning the post-game hot tub trip.

Also, quick note: I had my first HS game (JV girls) Tuesday night. It was a 30-point blowout in favor of the visitors (16-1 after a quarter) so it wasn't the most interesting. The varsity officials were there early, including one who is our chapter trainer. She had a lot of positive feedback for me but also pointed out one major no-no. At the break between the first and second quarters, the table called the R over. After a few seconds, I went also, turning my back on the players. Nothing was going to happen of course, as this was an awfully calm group. But just the same, I left them with no supervision. (Extra note: The reason for the stoppage was that V22 was reporting in, with no 22 in the book. She was in the book as 27! Somehow neither scorer nor the R caught this pregame. The R was going to pass on the T but I suggested he call it. Then at the half when the V officials came in, and the R said he wanted to pass on it, they told him that he has to call that in an HS game.)