You got to know the rules...

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by JHamp

What happened to letting the players determine the outcome of the game?

The players do determine the outcome of a game. They commit the violations and fouls. The officials just call those violations and fouls. If they don't call 'em, then they aren't violations or fouls.

"Let the players decide the outcome of the game" is a phrase used by coaches and fanboys. Translated, it means "don't call anything on my team, just my opponents".

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

The players do determine the outcome of a game. They commit the violations and fouls. The officials just call those violations and fouls. If they don't call 'em, then they aren't violations or fouls.
"Let the players decide the outcome of the game" is a phrase used by coaches and fanboys. Translated, it means "don't call anything on my team, just my opponents".

Amen.

Officials do not make calls that decide the outcome of a game. Players commit fouls and violations; officials view those infractions, judge the action, and then apply the rules of the game to what they had viewed. The rules then determine the penalty. Officials are on the court to be the only unbiased arbiters of the game. Officials are not concerned with who wins or loses, but only fairness and safety. Everyone else in that gym cares about winning, and therefore cannot look at the game objectively.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Amen.

Officials do not make calls that decide the outcome of a game. Players commit fouls and violations; officials view those infractions, judge the action, and then apply the rules of the game to what they had viewed. The rules then determine the penalty. Officials are on the court to be the only unbiased arbiters of the game. Officials are not concerned with who wins or loses, but only fairness and safety. Everyone else in that gym cares about winning, and therefore cannot look at the game objectively.

BillyMac, you've given me a great idea for our local kids rec league. Next season, before each game, I'm going to have the two officials stand in front of the benches and address the teams and the spectators by announcing, "Everyone who cares which team wins this game raise your hand. Thanks. Please note that my partner and I were the only two people in the gym who didn't raise a hand. Remember that while the game is being played. Thank you."

Actually, I may really do that - I'm not kidding.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

BillyMac, you've given me a great idea for our local kids rec league. Next season, before each game, I'm going to have the two officials stand in front of the benches and address the teams and the spectators by announcing, "Everyone who cares which team wins this game raise your hand. Thanks. Please note that my partner and I were the only two people in the gym who didn't raise a hand. Remember that while the game is being played. Thank you." Actually, I may really do that - I'm not kidding.

I don't do the following every game, maybe a couple of times a season, especially before some of my big "rivalry" games:

Pregame meeting with coaches and captains, as the referee:
"Coaches, are you players properly equipped and do they know how to wear their uniforms properly? Coaches, and captains, my partner and I are going to emphasis good sportsmanship tonight. Look around the gym. The players, coaches, cheerleaders, and fans, have something in common. They all want one of the teams to win. Except me and my partner. We're the only ones in the gym who don't care who wins tonight, so we're going to try to be as unbiased in our calls tonight as we can. If we make any mistakes tonight, it will not be because we want one team, or the other, to win the game. Please remember this during the game. Partner, got anything to add? Coaches, and captains, got any questions? Let's all have fun tonight.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

BillyMac, you've given me a great idea for our local kids rec league. Next season, before each game, I'm going to have the two officials stand in front of the benches and address the teams and the spectators by announcing, "Everyone who cares which team wins this game raise your hand. Thanks. Please note that my partner and I were the only two people in the gym who didn't raise a hand. Remember that while the game is being played. Thank you."

Actually, I may really do that - I'm not kidding.

I have an idea.

Why don't you just tell your officials to work hard & do their absolute best & not worry about fans?

[lpbreeze]

on the tv ad thing briefly. I was once living with two friends from Europe and they couldn't believe the amount of ads during a football game and during tv shows. They just gave up watching American tv. Used to soccer I suppose.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

I have an idea.

Why don't you just tell your officials to work hard & do their absolute best & not worry about fans?

Because it's so much fun embarrassing a gym full of parents. DUH!