Ever Deal With Fans off-court? Do You Always Ignore On-Court?

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Joe, just curious what you think your questions have to do with the fan behavior at the game? Are we going to call a game differently, depending on the amount of crap we're likely to get from fans? Or depending on how many fans will be at the game? Obviously not. I don't see how a better pre-game would affect the fans' reactions.

Scrap, if you have two big rivals do you pregame and officiate the game the same as you would with 2 mediocre, non rival teams playing each other for the first time or rarely play each other?

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

Scrap, if you have two big rivals do you pregame and officiate the game the same as you would with 2 mediocre, non rival teams playing each other for the first time or rarely play each other?

Scrappy certainly doesn't need me to jump in & help but I think he's referring specifically to fans. Speaking for myself I can't remember ever discussing fans during a pregame. Do you do this?

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Scrappy certainly doesn't need me to jump in & help but I think he's referring specifically to fans. Speaking for myself I can't remember ever discussing fans during a pregame. Do you do this?

Dang, I didn't realize we were talking about fans. When I first read the O/P, I apparently did some "selective" reading. Meaning, I took certain words, rivalry, intense game, fan ejection, coach ejection, hard foul, hurt player, etc. and formed my thought and questions. With that said, I guess I was really talking about and trying to get to some game managment type ideas that me, or other officials can get in regards to this type of game. As for the fans, me personally, I'll have them removed without hitch and usually it only takes one or two before the whole gym gets the message. If they don't get the message, then eventually we will be playing in front of an empty gym.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

Scrap, if you have two big rivals do you pregame and officiate the game the same as you would with 2 mediocre, non rival teams playing each other for the first time or rarely play each other?

I think I try to call the game the same way. But we might just remind each other in pregame that this is an especially big game for the players and we need to be mentally ready for the intensity.

[BillyMac]

Many years ago, back inthe 20th century, when I was a young junior varsity official, I stayed to watch a great varsity game betwen two conference archrivals in a packed gym. Although one of the varsity officials was one of the best on our local board, with a resume that included many conference, and state tournament games, the crowd seemed to be getting on him most of the game. This official also happens to be one of the shortest officials on our board. Early in the third period, a ball becomes lodged betweem the ring and the backboard. Here comes this official, running as fast as he can, from midcourt, jumping as high as he can, to dislodge the ball, missing the ball by almost two feet. Every one in the crowd laughed at his effort. But you know what, the crowd was on his side the rest of the game.