One Person Mechanics ...

[BillyMac]

Forum members: I need your help. I've been trying to come up with a set of guidelines for one person mechanics. I found two websites, the Greater Sudbury Board of Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 106) website, and the Kansas State High School Activities Association website, that had similar, yet slightly different guidelines, so I came up with a "hybrid" version using both sources. I would like your input before I send it on to my interpreter:

ONE PERSON MECHANICS GUIDELINES

For those who officiate long enough, the inevitable will occur; your partner will get hurt, or not show up for a scheduled contest, leaving you as a one person crew. One of the unfortunate aspects of working basketball is having to work games using one person mechanics. This is almost never a fun, or easy way, to work a game. Yet, when you are put in this situation, what do you do? 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.

It is important to note that if no Board X officials are available, do not accept an offer from a parent, or other non-Board X official, to assist. Liability, as well as, competency, and fairness concerns, could be involved.

Coaches and Administrators Conference
The first thing that you should do is to bring both coaches, and the game administrator, together, explaining that your partner has not shown, or is injured, and that you will be officiating the game alone, to make sure that everyone is in agreement that the game will be played under these circumstances. Set the parameters for the game at this time. This will give them an idea of what to expect if they agree to play the game with only one official. Be honest and upfront that you are going to miss calls because there will be things that you will not be able to see. Request coaches cooperation, express advance appreciation for them assisting you in keeping themselves, and the game, under control. Tell them that you may even ask them for help on out of bounds calls in front of them. This is a great time to stress and remind them of the importance of good sportsmanship and the example that they can and should set for their players. Advise the game administrator that the cooperation of spectators will also be expected.

Pregame Captains And Coaches Meeting
In the pregame meeting with the captains and coaches, explain that you will appreciate, and expect, the cooperation from all ten players on the floor. You may ask them for help on out of bounds calls. Tell them that if you do not know who caused the ball to go out of bounds, and both sides try to argue that it was off of the other team, then the possession arrow will be used. If you tell them your expectations up front, they will work with you. Let them know that you expect the players to retrieve all loose balls out of bounds, since you are observing the players on the court.

Front Court Floor Coverage
The best position from which to work is probably from free throw line extended to free throw line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. As the ball goes toward the opposite sideline, you will have to move off the sideline toward the center of the floor. Avoid getting caught on the baseline. While sometimes necessary to cover a player near it, a see through principle may offer better total officiating positioning. Remember to call the obvious.

Out of Bounds
Have players assist you on out of bounds calls. If you’re not sure who touched the ball last, observe the reaction of the players. If you’re still not sure, ask who touched it last. Any disagreement results in the alternating possession deciding. No dialogue, discussion, or disagreement. Put the ball in play. After designating the spot, move a short distance away and bounce the ball, like a free throw, to the player for the throwin.

Three Point Shots
Admittedly, one person cannot see everything, so, do not guess. Remember, if one person could work a game as effectively as two or three, then why would administrators, and coaches, be demanding more than one official.

Reporting Fouls
Cheat a little bit on the reporting position. By remaining in the middle of the floor, your peripheral vision should enable you to observe all the players.

Free Throw Coverage
On free throws, you need to get the players set and then administer every shot from the trail position. Notice initial placement of the shooter’s feet, but then focus attention on the nonshooters, particularly when a miss, and a rebound, occurs.

Presses
For pressing situations, you will need to be no lower than the free throw line extended in the backcourt. If you go any deeper than this, you will not have any chance to make a call if there is a long pass to the other end of the floor. This is the same reason that you do not want to work all the way to the baseline when you are in the front court, or on baseline throwins.

Maintain Control of the Game
In a game you are working solo, you may need to blow your whistle more often than you might in a game using a normal two person crew. You need to do this to maintain control, as the players will realize that there is only one of you and try to take advantage of the situation. If you take charge early it will help keep the crazy stuff in check. The coaches will understand the difficult situation that you have been placed in, but may sometimes forget in the heat of battle. Expect that, but keep your cool and remind them of your position, and that you are working hard for them. Coaches must control their emotions. Do not argue with them, or let them put you in a position where you feel guilty about not being able to see everything. Do the best you can, it’s not your fault that this undesirable situation exists.

Compensation
Make sure that all of your pertinent pay information is turned in to the game administrator. The fee for a one person game is 150% of the normal game fee. Unless there was only one official originally scheduled for the game, the Commissioner should be notified as soon as possible regarding this situation.

Maintain your sense of humor and composure. Some interaction with players and coaches will work to your advantage. Remember that, approached properly; people will almost always be willing to assist. Relax. No one will expect you to be perfect. Remember that you are the best official on the floor, albeit the only one.
If you are put in the spot of working alone, adapt the ideas above to make your task just a little bit more manageable. It will also make you appreciate your partner a lot more the next game you work.

Sources: Greater Sudbury Board of Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 106)
Topeka Officials Association (Kansas State High School Activities Association)

[Raymond]

Last time there was a discussion of 1-man mechanics it became a big bruhaha. Definitely an example of what causes cowboys to disappear.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Last time there was a discussion of 1-man mechanics it became a big bruhaha. Definitely an example of what causes cowboys to disappear.

I think that was before my time. I'll take a chance that it won't cause any esteemed members to quit.

[mikeref]

This is a no brainer for me...under no circumstances do I work a game alone. The liability factor is just too great. Forget about being the "nice guy" and "doing it for the kids" or whatever excuse you can think of. In today's society there will always be someone waiting to take advantage of the situation. I know it is sad to say, but it is the truth!! Besides, our state athletic association specifically forbids officials from working games by themselves. If there is not another certified offical present..I'm sorry but the game does not get played!

[JRutledge]

You can come up with all the scenarios and logic to what you can do when working by yourself, it means nothing when the game starts. You just have to do the best you can and hope that players are accommodating. Many calls are obvious, but it is the bangers that will be a problem. You really can only call the obvious fouls and violations.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by mikeref

This is a no brainer for me...under no circumstances do I work a game alone. The liability factor is just too great. Forget about being the "nice guy" and "doing it for the kids" or whatever excuse you can think of. In today's society there will always be someone waiting to take advantage of the situation. I know it is sad to say, but it is the truth!! Besides, our state athletic association specifically forbids officials from working games by themselves. If there is not another certified official present..I'm sorry but the game does not get played!

You must be fortunate enough to have a lot of officials working in your area. We service almost 70 high schools, meaning that we service boys and girls varsity, boys and girls junior varsity, and boys and girls freshman games, at those schools, as well as many middle schools that feed into those high school programs, with only about 220 officials. Weekend games, and night games, are usually not a problem, although we often have to schedule some officials for freshman/junior varsity, or junior varsity/varsity doubleheaders. The big problem for us are the afternoon freshman, and middle school, games, that often start at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Most of our officials, like myself, work regular 8 to 4, or 9 to 5 jobs, and can't make those afternoon games, so we very often have only one official scheduled for those games.

mikeref's statement above has a lot of merit to it, especially since his state athletic association forbids one official games, however, please comment on the following scenarios:

Your scheduled for a single varsity game. The junior varsity officials have already left the site (a problem in itself, as far as I'm concerned) when you get a call on your cell phone, five minutes before game time, that your partner has been in a car accident, or is very ill, and will not make the game, or you don't get a call because a scheduling mistake has been made and you don't have a scheduled partner. The bleachers are filled to capacity, the band is playing, the cheerleaders are getting ready for the game, the table has the scorebooks ready (OK, maybe I went too far), the local press, and cable television guys are ready, and the players are warming up. You call your assigner and find out that no other official is available due to scheduling, availability, illness, injury, etc., because it's a busy Friday night (the biggest basketball night of the week here in Connecticut).

Now, in mikeref's state, the decision would be out of your hands, since they forbid one official games, you just send everybody home, put away the balls, turn out the lights, and lock the gymnasium doors. In the absence of that state rule, what would you do? Here in Connecticut, and in Sudbury, Canada, and in Kansas, we would play the game with one official, and unless you are an experienced official like me, who's done quite a few one man games over the past 27 years, you could use some tried and true mechanics to follow.

Also, does mikeref's state athletic association cover middle school games, and other games such as recreation leagues, Catholic elementary schools, travel teams, AAU games, etc.? If these programs are not covered by the state athletic association rule, what would you do in a similar situation?

In addition, what happens, with only two officials at the site at 8:00 pm., in the fourth period of a big game, one of the varsity officials pulls a hamstring, or twists an ankle, or tears an Achilles, or tears an ACL? Shouldn't the remaining official have some type of plan as to how to best do a one person game? If sure that even in mikeref's state, you probably must start a game with at least two officials, but I doubt that when one official goes down with an injury with five minutes to go in the fourth period, in a two point game, that the state association makes you send everybody home, put away the balls, turn out the lights, and lock the gymnasium doors. We should all have some type of plan when we do a one person game.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Your statement above has a lot of merit to it, especially since your state athletic association forbids one official games, however, please comment on the following scenario:

Your scheduled for a single varsity game. The junior varsity officials have already showered and left the site (a problem in itself, as far as I'm concerned) when you get a call on your cell phone, five minutes before game time, that your partner has been in a car accident, or is very ill, and will not make the game, or you don't get a call because a scheduling mistake has been made and you don't have a scheduled partner. The bleachers are filled to capacity, the band is playing, the cheerleaders are getting ready for the game, the table has the scorebooks ready (OK, maybe I went too far), the local press, and cable television guys are ready, and the players are warming up. You call your assigner and find out that no other official is available due to scheduling, availability, illness, injury, etc., because it's a busy Friday night (the biggest basketball night of the week here in Connecticut). Now, in your state, the decision would be out of your hands, since they forbid one official games, you just send everybody home, put away the balls, turn out the lights, and lock the gymnasium doors. In the absence of that state rule, what would you do? Here in Connecticut, and in Sudbury, Canada, and in Kansas, we would play the game with one official, and unless you are an experienced official like me, who's done quite a few one man games over the past 27 years, you could use some tried and true mechanics to follow. Also, does your state athletic association cover middle school games, and other games such as recreation leagues, Catholic elementary schools, travel teams, AAU games, etc.? If these programs are not covered by the state athletic association rule, what would you do in a similar situation?

I understand where you are going with this. My question to you is how does the JV Officials go home without knowing a varsity official has not shown up? The non-varsity officials are coming off the court as you are going onto as a varsity official. That would be nearly impossible unless the JV/sophomore or prelim game (whatever you call it in your area) if you have at least one officials in the game before. Even in a tournament setting where there are multiple games. Someone is around to work that game. Then again where I live I do not know when the last time I have heard of a 2 Person game on purpose. I am sure there are others from my state that has different experiences. It just does not happen very often here in the Chicago and surrounding suburbs and it certainly does not happen in my experiences in central Illinois and other parts further south.

I am also sure that if a state, conference or local association has a policy on how to handle those situations. And in that policy I am sure there are ways to not have all officials go home. I really do not think it is that complicated.

Peace

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by mikeref

This is a no brainer for me...under no circumstances do I work a game alone. The liability factor is just too great.

Mike, I'm not a lawyer, so this is an honest question. How is the liability greater for an official who works alone than for a crew of 2? And does that mean that the liability for a crew of 2 is greater than that of a crew of 3?

I just don't understand how the number of officials affects liability. I have no legal background.

[inigo montoya]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Mike, I'm not a lawyer, so this is an honest question. How is the liability greater for an official who works alone than for a crew of 2? And does that mean that the liability for a crew of 2 is greater than that of a crew of 3?

I just don't understand how the number of officials affects liability. I have no legal background.

It's a liability issue in this case, I think, because his state association says "no one-official games." So because the official broke the rules, the laws safeguarding official(s) no longer apply.