Backpedal

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by TRef21

I do the same that you do, backpedal sometimes to get that open. I happen to very flexible and look over my shoulder as well. But yah, I like the back pedal in that situation especially when there is a quick pass and crash you are already open to officiate that play. Like in NCAAREFS post I don't recommend it when I evaluate new officials. I don't downgrade because i do it. Like in someone else's post, one day we will stumble and attention will be on us. I have hit a couple walls as well.

Tisk, tisk. Everyone was united and telling the OP the same thing until this. Unfortunately, the OP could view this as someone who is in support of what he/she does wrong.
Backpedaling has the potential for injury
Backpedaling doesn't really have an advantage to see more plays
Backpedaling will cause you to get graded down

It sure sounds like backpedaling is the thing to do to me!

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Tisk, tisk. Everyone was united and telling the OP the same thing until this. Unfortunately, the OP could view this as someone who is in support of what he/she does wrong.
Backpedaling has the potential for injury
Backpedaling doesn't really have an advantage to see more plays
Backpedaling will cause you to get graded down

It sure sounds like backpedaling is the thing to do to me!

Hopefully, phansen can count votes!

[blindzebra]

Had a fellow official do it at a camp where games were going on two courts about 5 feet apart, player went for a loose ball slid into his court and took him out...the first thing to hit the floor was the back of his head. Skull fracture, brain swelling, surgery, and a week in ICU followed. It was six months before he could go back to his regular job and over a year before he reffed again.

[Adam]

I'll bet he doesn't back pedal any more.

The problem isn't necessarily that you're more likely to fall (even though I think it's true) or that your less able to see where you're going (even though I think that's true as well). The problem is if you do fall, your ability to catch yourself is severely compromised. What happens if you lose balance just as you're heading across the baseline into lead position? You're going into the wall head first and will be lucky if a week of ICU is all you get.

[ChrisSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I'll bet he doesn't back pedal any more.

The problem isn't necessarily that you're more likely to fall (even though I think it's true) or that your less able to see where you're going (even though I think that's true as well). The problem is if you do fall, your ability to catch yourself is severely compromised. What happens if you lose balance just as you're heading across the baseline into lead position? You're going into the wall head first and will be lucky if a week of ICU is all you get.

Yea, and then how would you finish your game? Now the kids don't have their full compliment of officials. STOP BACK PEDALING FOR THE KIDS!! It's for the kids, Man!!

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by ChrisSportsFan

Yea, and then how would you finish your game? Now the kids don't have their full compliment of officials. STOP BACK PEDALING FOR THE KIDS!! It's for the kids, Man!!

I think you meant to say "full complement of officials." The words "compliment" and "officials" are not often found in the same sentence.

[lmeadski]

I guess I am failing to see something: Someone is backpedaling and trips over someone/something/a line because he/she can't see where he/she is running. How is running forward but turning back to watch play going to keep you from tripping/running over someone/something on the court? If you are truly looking back at the play you can't see where you are going. And, unless you are completely wide (running the line on the sideline), when running and looking backwards you cannot see the whole court. And, if you are running the sidelines, I think you stand a better chance of colliding with the coach who is usually right on the sideline. I am not advocating running backwards, but, I'd like to find who made the rule and the reasoning behind this makes a ref look less professional. Having done both, I can most certainly see much more of the court backpedaling vs turning and running.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

Had a fellow official do it at a camp where games were going on two courts about 5 feet apart, player went for a loose ball slid into his court and took him out...the first thing to hit the floor was the back of his head. Skull fracture, brain swelling, surgery, and a week in ICU followed. It was six months before he could go back to his regular job and over a year before he reffed again.

That should be the only post needed to tell anyone how stupid backpedaling is.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Hopefully, phansen can count votes!

Why would you doubt that he could? Does he live in Florida?