One Person Mechanics ...

[JRutledge]

I have always hated the 3 point line to 3 point line mechanic. For one it limits you to one side of the court and it limits your angles. I think you should roam all over the place, where you need to go and what you need to see. And it does not matter if you set guidelines; those guidelines are not going to fit for all situations. Which is why the focus on guidelines is really not something everyone is going to agree on. People do not agree on the mechanics in 2 Person or 3 Person. I really do not know why you think talking about these guidelines and expect everyone is going to agree. That is why I say, do whatever you think you need to do to get you through the game. I will be teaching a basketball class in less than a month from now. I will not once talk about working by alone. And if I have anyone ask, I will tell them do the absolute best you can period.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I have always hated the 3 point line to 3 point line mechanic. For one it limits you to one side of the court and it limits your angles. I think you should roam all over the place, where you need to go and what you need to see. And it does not matter if you set guidelines; those guidelines are not going to fit for all situations. Which is why the focus on guidelines is really not something everyone is going to agree on. People do not agree on the mechanics in 2 Person or 3 Person. I really do not know why you think talking about these guidelines and expect everyone is going to agree.

JRutledge: Thanks for your input. Let's face it. Whether it's due to a illness, or injury, before, or during the game, scheduling error, or irresponsibility, all officials, especially new ones, especially those that may find themselves in this situation for the first time, should be prepared to work a game, maybe a big game, maybe a high level game, maybe a close game, maybe an entire game, by himself, or herself. Be prepared, but hope that it never happens.

The reason why I'm asking for such input is that my local board's interpreter is working on such a project and I wanted to give him some help. At least two other official's organizations (the Greater Sudbury Board of Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 106) and the Topeka Officials Association (Kansas State High School Activities Association) have such guidelines, so we're not the only board that's wants some simple guidelines, although not written in stone, to follow. My guidelines even state "There are many ways to do it, and you may want to experiment with different options to see what works best for you. The following are some one person officiating mechanics that you may want to try". And, to your point, I don't expect everyone to agree, I just want some different ideas. Even the guidelines in Sudbury, and Kansas, don't agree; Kansas has you go from free throw line to free throw line, opposite table side; Sudbury has you go three point line to three point line, table side, as well as giving the option of no front court baseline throwins. In my "hybrid" version, based on my twenty-seven years of experience, I have decided to suggest the Kansas version, it brings you a little closer to the action, at the expense, however, of getting beat downcourt after a quick steal. Also, the Kansas version has you initially set up opposite table side. Sudbury wants you tableside, getting the same look as the coaches. I prefer to ask the coaches for help on difficult table side out of bounds calls, it's a reminder to them that I am trusting them to act in a sporting manner in assisting me when needed.

[refnrev]

There is only way to handle a one person game ---- Get in, do your best, survive, and get out.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by refnrev

There is only way to handle a one person game: Get in, do your best, survive, and get out.

Don't forget to pick up your check on the way out. In the Constitution State, for a one person game, we get 150% of the game fee, it's written in our contract with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletics Conference, our state sports governing body. That would mean a check for $79.92 (2007-08) for a one person subvarsity game, or a check for $123.26 (2007-08) for a one person varsity game (very rare).

"Some men worship rank, some worship heroes, some worship power, some worship God, and over these ideals they dispute and cannot unite; but they all worship money". (Mark Twain, a Connecticuter himself)

[refnrev]

[QUOTE=BillyMac]Don't forget to pick up your check on the way out. In the Constitution State, for a one person game, we get 150% of the game fee, it's written in our contract with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletics Conference,
___________________________

I've been a little more fortunate. The few times my partner was a no show and I had to fly solo, I got both checks. That's the way it works around here.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by refnrev

The few times my partner was a no show and I had to fly solo, I got both checks. That's the way it works around here.

Wow. Who's your agent?

[just another ref]

When calling a game alone, one must be prepared to acknowledge the fact that:

"I didn't see it," and act accordingly.

Lots of possession arrows on out of bounds.

[grunewar]

[QUOTE=refnrev]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I've been a little more fortunate. The few times my partner was a no show and I had to fly solo, I got both checks. That's the way it works around here.

Wow, both checks? Cool!

The few times I have worked by myself have all been sub-JV thankfully. I do just as the post suggests - coaches meetings, captains meetings, foul line to foul line, etc. Thankfully, the coaches and players are fairly acceptable and appreciate just having the one official they DO have. Haven't had any real problems I can recall, but never felt like it was one of my better games - and I'm usually more tired too - both physically and mentally!

[JugglingReferee]

In my area if one official doesn't show up, the official that missed the game is fined an amount equal to the game fee s/he would have earned if s/he showed up. So the HS game that you miss is ~ a $72 swing. Because you don't earn the $36 game fee, and you're fined $36.

The official that does the game by him/herself is paid an extra 50% of the game fee. His/her game fee just went from $36 to $54. The other $18 stays with the association and is used for the social night, education (sending newbies to camp), etc....

Since most assignments are double headers, missing usually amounts to being fined upwards of $70-$80, and as high as $100 or slightly more than $100.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

The few times I have worked by myself have all been sub-JV thankfully. I do just as the post suggests - coaches meetings, captains meetings, foul line to foul line, etc. Thankfully, the coaches and players are fairly acceptable and appreciate just having the one official they DO have. Haven't had any real problems I can recall, but never felt like it was one of my better games - and I'm usually more tired too - both physically and mentally!

Sounds like you know what you're talking about. I've also found that the coaches and players will often "appreciate just having the one official they do have", it "never (feels) like it was one of my better games", and "I'm usually more tired too" but it's usually more mentally than physically.

Are you sure that you've only done this a "few times"?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by refnrev

There is only way to handle a one person game ---- Get in, do your best, survive, and get out.

AMEN!!!

Peace

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think you should roam all over the place, where you need to go and what you need to see.

I have found that this is the best way for me when I have worked alone. You can try to start out thinking you can see enough going from free throw line to free throw line and stay opposite the table, as some suggest. But when the action is in front of the benches and you can't see through people, you need to get your butt over there. I go as deep as I need to and back and forth from table-side to opposite side. I don't see how you can do a good job working alone if you stay on one side of the court. It's hard and you miss things, but you still have to do as good a job as you can.

What I find difficult as well is when my partner shows up in the middle of a game that I started alone. It takes a few minutes for me to stop looking all over the place and stay focused in my primary.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Smitty

What I find difficult as well is when my partner shows up in the middle of a game that I started alone. It takes a few minutes for me to stop looking all over the place and stay focused in my primary.

This is so true.