Question about more unwritten rules...

[mu4scott]

Wow good work. I feel honored and slightly stalked.

Pleated pants are the way to go.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by mu4scott

Wow good work. I feel honored and slightly stalked.

Pleated pants are the way to go.

Stalked? Nope...just kinda wondering what the point behind your post was. In my experience, what an official wears isn't really the determining factor as to whether that official is competent or not at the level they're working. Their supervisor will usually determine their dress code.

I've yet to see the pants blow a call anyway.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Stalked? Nope...just kinda wondering what the point behind your post was. In my experience, what an official wears isn't really the determining factor as to whether that official is competent or not at the level they're working. Their supervisor will usually determine their dress code.

I've yet to see the pants blow a call anyway.

I've had pants blow a seam.

Wait, never mind.

[Odd Duck]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Stalked? Nope...just kinda wondering what the point behind your post was. In my experience, what an official wears isn't really the determining factor as to whether that official is competent or not at the level they're working. Their supervisor will usually determine their dress code.

I've yet to see the pants blow a call anyway.

Certainly not a determining factor but it can be very important...it can buy you some time with the coaches.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Odd Duck

it can buy you some time with the coaches.

What does that even mean?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Smitty

What does that even mean?

Ooooh. Good question.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Smitty

What does that even mean?

Isn't it obvious?

Coach: "You blew that call!"
Official: "No, I didn't, my pants did."
Coach: " "
(Official escapes unharmed...)

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Isn't it obvious?

Coach: "You blew that call!"
Official: "No, I didn't, my pants did."
Coach: " "
(Official escapes unharmed...)

Ahhh. Well don't I feel like a moron now. Thanks for clearing it up.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Isn't it obvious?

Coach: "You blew that call!"
Official: "No, I didn't, my pants did."
Coach: " "
(Official escapes unharmed...)

Maybe, but throwing his pants under the bus like that is a horrible way to build a partnership.
And those pants will never make the playoffs.

[TravelinMan]

What often separates the HS from the college refs is no more desire to work that level and the time to devote to travelling long distances to officiate a college game. Oh yeah and ego........maybe a little flair and bravado, maybe better communication with the coaches and players....maybe good PR skills......my opinion is based on having met and spoken to some D1 and D2 officials. I work high school because I don't have the time to devote to college yet. But that may change.

[Odd Duck]

Originally Posted by Smitty

What does that even mean?

First...let's all agree I worded that very badly

The point I was attempting to make is that the appearance of the official...the first impressions made when arriving at the site and on the floor...can earn an official the benefit of the doubt UNTIL the game starts and he/she has to start making calls.

Maybe this example from last weekend will help. I was at a camp and there was a young kid attending. He could run like a deer but he almost looked like a homeless person...looked like he drug his shoes on the camp behind his car, pants and shirt didn't fit well, 2 day growth worth of beard, hair was a mess...you get the picture. Off the floor, while most others wore nice shorts and polo/golf shirts he was in stained t-shirts. Everyone was "whispering" about him...clinicians, campers, coaches and fans. Every game he had problems with the coaches until they realized he was a decent official...young and a little raw, but decent and he had good judgement. If he had looked professional there is a good chance the early part of his games would have been smoother.

This in not to toot my horn but I am a big guy. However, I make a point to always arrive at the site in a jacket (if not wearing a tie) even though it is not requested. My uniform is always freshly cleaned and not wrinkled, always freshly shaven, hair well groomed, etc...180 degrees from the guy above. During the last day of the camp I was pulled to the side by a clinician (happens to be D1 mens official, so let's assume he knows what he is talking about when it comes to officiating). He said he had heard coaches and clinicians mention how looks could be deceiving and commenting positively on my officiating. Eavesdropping he heard one coach say, "Don't let his size fool you. He obviously take a professional approach and I can guarantee you he knows what he is doing, you only have to watch him to see." I took that with a grain of salt until he said he agreed...that it was obvious I knew I needed to make a good impression and had to be able to nail virtually any rules issue. Watching me work, he was amazed that he never saw me out of position to make the calls that needed to be made. I didn't get beat more than other, more fit, officials and that I did excellent work." After hearing that, I am of the opinion that the attention I pay to other things is causing many to decide to let my actions on the floor and my calls do the talking. That kid wasn't getting the luxury...he was behind before he even started.

Did that make sense or did I communicate poorly again?

[Adam]

That makes sense to me.

[icallfouls]

Originally Posted by Odd Duck

First...let's all agree I worded that very badly

The point I was attempting to make is that the appearance of the official...the first impressions made when arriving at the site and on the floor...can earn an official the benefit of the doubt UNTIL the game starts and he/she has to start making calls.

Maybe this example from last weekend will help. I was at a camp and there was a young kid attending. He could run like a deer but he almost looked like a homeless person...looked like he drug his shoes on the camp behind his car, pants and shirt didn't fit well, 2 day growth worth of beard, hair was a mess...you get the picture. Off the floor, while most others wore nice shorts and polo/golf shirts he was in stained t-shirts. Everyone was "whispering" about him...clinicians, campers, coaches and fans. Every game he had problems with the coaches until they realized he was a decent official...young and a little raw, but decent and he had good judgement. If he had looked professional there is a good chance the early part of his games would have been smoother.

This in not to toot my horn but I am a big guy. However, I make a point to always arrive at the site in a jacket (if not wearing a tie) even though it is not requested. My uniform is always freshly cleaned and not wrinkled, always freshly shaven, hair well groomed, etc...180 degrees from the guy above. During the last day of the camp I was pulled to the side by a clinician (happens to be D1 mens official, so let's assume he knows what he is talking about when it comes to officiating). He said he had heard coaches and clinicians mention how looks could be deceiving and commenting positively on my officiating. Eavesdropping he heard one coach say, "Don't let his size fool you. He obviously take a professional approach and I can guarantee you he knows what he is doing, you only have to watch him to see." I took that with a grain of salt until he said he agreed...that it was obvious I knew I needed to make a good impression and had to be able to nail virtually any rules issue. Watching me work, he was amazed that he never saw me out of position to make the calls that needed to be made. I didn't get beat more than other, more fit, officials and that I did excellent work." After hearing that, I am of the opinion that the attention I pay to other things is causing many to decide to let my actions on the floor and my calls do the talking. That kid wasn't getting the luxury...he was behind before he even started.

Did that make sense or did I communicate poorly again?

damn you're good, oh wait you told us.

" 'ou look maaarvelous"

Your comments about appearance are true. A professional look upon arriving can give you some increased unknown level credibility, but looking good only goes so far. You have to get plays right or that cred is out the door in the first minute of the game.

edit:
Assignors want you to look good. Coaches want you to be good.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by icallfouls

edit:
Assignors want you to look good. Coaches want you to be good.

Wrong.

Assignors want their officials to look good and be good. If their officials are, who cares what the coaches think.

[mu4scott]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Stalked? Nope...just kinda wondering what the point behind your post was. In my experience, what an official wears isn't really the determining factor as to whether that official is competent or not at the level they're working. Their supervisor will usually determine their dress code.

I've yet to see the pants blow a call anyway.

I think appearance is a very important factor. You may be the best official in the world, but if you look unproffesional and inadequate you will be treated as such. JMHO

I read this forum on a daily basis and obviously don't post much. I think I'm a part of the vast majority of people who want to get better and this forum helps a lot. It seems the tone of your responses at times falls into the category of belittling, mocking or ridiculing fellow officials for your own enjoyment.

I’ve learned a lot from this place (ex. no flat front pants) and it’s made me a better official. Please realize most of us come here to become more skilled and not all of us have mastered the art of officiating.