Backpedal

[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 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.

Can you run faster running forward or backpedaling?

Can you get out of a player's way more easily if you're running forward or back pedaling?

Can you turn your head more easily and see where you're going if your running forward or backpedaling?

Can you more easily catch yourself if you stumble if you're running forward or backpedaling?

If you can see the positives from running forward by answering those 4 questions, then you're damn sure missing something.

[Kelvin green]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Can you run faster running forward or backpedaling?

Can you get out of a player's way more easily if you're running forward or back pedaling?

Can you turn your head more easily and see where you're going if your running forward or backpedaling?

Can you more easily catch yourself if you stumble if you're running forward or backpedaling?

If you can see the positives from running forward by answering those 4 questions, then you're damn sure missing something.

This is great but add one last one...

When running down the floor and end up running into a coach, player, or cheerleader...Can you recover better hiiting them going forward or by back pedaling?

[lmeadski]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Can you run faster running forward or backpedaling?

Can you get out of a player's way more easily if you're running forward or back pedaling?

Can you turn your head more easily and see where you're going if your running forward or backpedaling?

Can you more easily catch yourself if you stumble if you're running forward or backpedaling?

If you can see the positives from running forward by answering those 4 questions, then you're damn sure missing something.

1. I cant run fast forwards or backpedaling.
2. Running forward. But refer to #1.
3. If I turn my head to see where I am going I take my eye off the play.
4. If I fall when backpedaling or running I wont catch myself, the floor will.

I just find it interesting that "backpedaling" is deemed inappropriate behavior for a ref when you can see so much more of the court backpedaling vs running. I would think the answer would be more situational. But, as this forum shows, sometimes its more important to impress other refs than our employers, the schools. Rock on!

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by lmeadski

But, as this forum shows, sometimes its more important to impress other refs than our employers, the schools. Rock on!

Good grief!! This has nothing to do with "impressing" other refs. It has to do with doing the best job possible. Lots and lots of refs with lots and lots of experience are telling you that you'll do a better job if you don't back-pedal. There's nothing wrong with asking why they say that, but there's definitely something wrong with assuming that you know better than everybody else.

[lmeadski]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

There's nothing wrong with asking why they say that, but there's definitely something wrong with assuming that you know better than everybody else.

Dont assume that Im assuming. I am not assuming and certainly not assuming what you are asserting. To press a few questions wrings all the assuming out of it. I assume you get what Im saying...

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by lmeadski

1. I cant run fast forwards or backpedaling.
2. Running forward. But refer to #1.
3. If I turn my head to see where I am going I take my eye off the play.
4. If I fall when backpedaling or running I wont catch myself, the floor will.!

1. In all seriousness, you might need to consider hanging them up if you're that bad off.

2. Refer to #1.

3. I don't think anyone here ALWAYS runs with their head turned, looking over their shoulder. I don't. I make quick turns of the head to make sure there's nothing in my way.

4. Who said anything about falling? I asked "Can you more easily catch yourself if you stumble if you're running forward or backpedaling?" Stumble while backpedaling and you're going down. Stumble while running forward and there's an opportunity to catch yourself before you fall. If you do fall, you're more able to avoid busting your head running forward.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by 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.

It's simple, really. If you trip running backwards, your odds of a head injury go up exponentially because you can't catch yourself. If you trip with just your head turned, you might break an arm or something catching yourself, but at least you'll still recognize your family when it's over.

My final take. If you don't understant why, then take the vast experience here on this board to heart, and avoid it for that reason.

[mick]

Originally Posted by 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?

Multiple posts have mentioned balance. [Running backwards and tripping vs. running forward and tripping.] Think about it.

[lmeadski]

Originally Posted by mick

Multiple posts have mentioned balance. [Running backwards and tripping vs. running forward and tripping.] Think about it.

Can't argue the balance point. I was referring to the "inexperienced" or "amateur" ref tag given to backpedaling. I can see more of the court backpedaling and do it on occasion, esp on a fast break and I am lead with play moving up my sideline. I can't see the play well enough by running up the court and turning back to see. Maybe I need some neck flexibility stretches.

[Adam]

The answer is to get wider. It's not about "impressing your employers" verses impressing the other refs. It's about safety, and best practices learned from years of hard experiences and moments of really bad experiences.

Originally Posted by Imeadski

4. If I fall when backpedaling or running I wont catch myself, the floor will.

Cute, but beside the point. The point is, would you rather the floor catch the back of your head or your arms?

[lmeadski]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

The answer is to get wider. It's not about "impressing your employers" verses impressing the other refs. It's about safety, and best practices learned from years of hard experiences and moments of really bad experiences.


Cute, but beside the point. The point is, would you rather the floor catch the back of your head or your arms?

I don't disagree with this. It just seems that as I "get wider" I get into the coaches who like to roam the outside boundaries of the coaches boxes. I have fallen twice and both times were collisions with coaches. And, I appreciate your comments about safety. I take certain exception to the professionalism knocks.

[Adam]

I think the point about professionalism is a bit over stated. I will say, though, that when an official is seen backpedaling, it's going to say something about that official.

1. He/she hasn't been instructed not to do it.
2. He/she has been told, but has chosen not to heed the advice.
3. He/she is aware of the danger and is trying to break an old habit.

The first one is at least easily correctable. The third one is easily detected by speaking to the ref about it. The 2nd will give a ref the reputation of being a "yabut" guy. You know the type, the ones who respond to any and all critique with "Yeah, but...."

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by lmeadski

I don't disagree with this. It just seems that as I "get wider" I get into the coaches who like to roam the outside boundaries of the coaches boxes. I have fallen twice and both times were collisions with coaches. And, I appreciate your comments about safety. I take certain exception to the professionalism knocks.

With all due respect, I also think it looks unprofessional and only a rank beginner backpedals. Save it for the 4th grade park district games.