Church League...Help me God!
 

This is my 1st post to the forum but have been browsing for a long time and have really enjoyed the expertise that most of you have.

This is my first year as a ref. I have ref'd (4) 7th-8th grade games so far. Loving it and realizing that I have A LOT to learn.

Now back on topic...

I am scheduled to ref some games for the local church league. I have been told by many that this is the worst league as far as sportmanship but it will be a GREAT learning experience for me. One guy even said "if you can tolerate the players in that league, you can handle any coach." I'm nervous. Now, to the actual question... What's the best way to handle arrogance and unsportsmanlike conduct that may come up. Should I immediately start throwing some T's in hope to get things settled down?

I've got some thick skin (i think) so I don't get my feelings hurt, I just want to make sure that ALL involved have a great time.

Thanks for the respected advise.

SK

Too many variables to answer this, but follow the "wave, warn, whack" philosophy.

In most cases, this is simply not possible.

Ah yes, church league sports. The only brawls that begin with prayer!;) Put up with nothing unsporting. It's supposed to be a good time and foster Christian fellowship. I've seen it done extremely well:D and I've seen is done very very poorly!:( Good luck!

Warn and wack, IMO. If you warn, don't warn the same person again.
Don't be afraid to skip the warn, either, if it's really bad.
Sometimes I wish I could go do one of these games.

Sometimes.

I understand where people are coming from but as a teacher, I really hate warnings. I have found in my classroom and on the court using directive statements work better. "You need to stop officiating."

If you warn, you better follow through that next time.

Church League
 

Are you doing an adult church league or a youth church league?

If you have done four games total, I would hope that you are NOT doing an adult league. If you are, get the earplugs out and go. Unless you have done many other games before getting licensed (outside the four you mentioned), you will likely will in over your head in this atmosphere. I can only recommend calling what you see. If you want to be invited back, I would not become a T-Machine -- after all, you are new and are prone to being not so good. Try to ignore the comments -- unless they are personal or involve profanity. Follow the three Ws. Good luck!!!

Be calm, be professional, be patient, keep your cool.

When you've had enough, warn and then follow the warning with a T.

How do you know it's not Muslims?? Or Jews??

Did you want me to shoot you the assigners email? Be careful what we wish for :D

I like the advice given to you so far. From the description, it sounds like an adult league?? If so, as previously mentioned you will more than likely be in over your head :(
But don't fret, the good official welcomes a good challege :)

From my experiences, if you act like you know what you're doing most of the time the players think you know what you're doing. Hopefully they will "buy your act" & you may possibly catch less grief... being the new guy & all.

Be strong (but calm) with your calls, use your voice in a firm, confident manner. Use good mechanics (5 sec t/i, 10 sec b/c, etc). Talk to the players like grown men instead of kids... this is a different animal.

Arrogant players/coaches/partners... who cares! You cannot control that. Control what you can control.

Unsportsmanlike conduct must be dealt with, BUT (keep in mind) what's unsportsmanlike in 7th/8th grade games may/may not be unsportsmanlike worthy in adults games.

As previously mentioned, I wouldn't want to be Mr. T on your first night on the job, but at the same time don't take any crap either. With that said, less is more in our avocation but more so in that environment. If they argue a call, "I hear you. I understand. I'll look at at." have worked well for me, but in a youth game the players simply don't argue any calls with me :D
ie: T or not T worthy, depends on the level of play IMHO.


Hopefully, this opportunity will inspire you to grow as an official. I started out working kids games then progressed to adults, lower-level HS, varsity, and each new experience has fueled my passion for the craft! At the very least when you get back to your youth games, you should feel that it is easier to manage & your confidence should be way up.
BTW, welcome to the board!!

Maybe we could do some off season stuff together. Since I don't really care if I get invited back, though, I'm likely to serve a lot of T. :D

Technical Fouls ...
 

Top Reasons To Not Give A Technical Foul
You can address a coach before it becomes a problem. A quiet word can go a long way in preventing a technical foul.
When coaches complain, ask yourself, is the call questionable, is the call wrong. If they have a legitimate gripe, then allow them some latitude. Be courteous. Do not argue. Be firm and fair.
If you know a coach is upset then move away from him or her, even if it means that you and your partner are not switching or rotating properly.
Warnings can be very effective in preventing situations from escalating. Don't tolerate a lot before a warning.
Lend a reasonable ear. Coaches like to be heard. If you ignore them then they become more frustrated and are more likely to lose control.
If an assistant is out of line, then you can speak to the head coach and ask them to help you out.
If a player is out of line then let the coach know. Tell them you've warned their player. That way if you do give a technical foul, then the coach isn't surprised. Most good coaches will speak to the player first.
If you have had a rough day and know your fuse is short, keep that in mind before you do anything rash.
Ask yourself, does the situation come under one of the top reasons to give a technical foul.
If necessary, give an initial strong warning. Let your partner know about the warning.

Top Reasons To Give A Technical Foul
There are many different factors to consider when deciding to give a technical foul. Generally, there are three areas of coach's behavior that need attention: when a coach makes it personal, when a coach draws attention to himself or herself, and when a coach's complaints are persistent.

Some technical fouls are easy. They are black and white situations that leave little room for negotiation:
Using profanity or language that is abusive, vulgar, or obscene.
A coach questions your integrity.
Inciting an undesirable crowd reaction.
A coach is embarrassing an official.
A coach or player has been warned and has not heeded the warning.
Leaving the confines of the coaching box and complaining.
A coach demonstrates displeasure with your partner and their back is turned.

Other technical fouls are not as black and white. In some situations, a warning may be appropriate before the technical foul is given:
A coach or player continually demonstrates signals or asks for calls.
If they have interfered with the game or your concentration, then they have usually gone too far.
If giving a technical will help give structure back to the game and if it will have a calming effect on things.

Top Ways To Give A Technical Foul
Calling a technical foul should be no different then calling any other foul. It is simply a rule that requires a penalty. Maintain a calm attitude, have poise and presence. Don’t personalize it. Don't embarrass the coach by being demonstrative.
Take your time. Don’t over react. Always sound the whistle and stop the clock with a foul signal. Signal the technical foul. Take a deep breath to calm yourself. Proceed to the reporting area, report the technical foul clearly to the table, and leave the area. Never look at a coach when you give a technical foul.
Confer with your partner. If the technical foul is charged to the head coach or bench personnel, have your partner inform the coach of the loss of the coaching box.
Explanations, it needed should be done by partner. Always explain technical fouls on players to coaches.

Proceed with the administration of the penalty. After technical fouls, put the ball in play immediately.
The calling official may want to stay away from the coach for a few minutes, even if it means not making a switch, or making an unneeded switch, after the administration of the technical foul penalty has been completed.
Because a coach has been penalized with a technical foul does not mean that the coach is allowed rebuttal time.
Make them earn the second technical foul. Don't be reluctant to give the second technical foul if it is warranted.

Original Source: The Greater Philadelphia Basketball Official's Association

Fixed it for you. :)

Also, I think the list is really not applicable to church league or wreck league ball.

Yes this is adult men league. I am definitely looking forward to the challenge. I am excited about it, and I DO know that I don't have a lot of experience and that's why I want to take this league.

thanks

Well here's the deal. I am an "evangelical" Christian and I have high expectations for those who are participating in the league. I also know that there will be many who are in this league that are not Christians and I want to have a great attitude so that people see Christ through me.

I learned by experience to work adult league games only on Sunday or Monday nights. Tuesday maybe. I used to work the Thursday/Friday leagues but those were major trouble as the week's work frustrations were all taken out on the opposition.

Church leagues are similar. Go get physical with someone, let the frustrations out. Set the tone early by calling fouls that need to be called. If they start to get rough, T 'em. You'll know it when you see it.

Adult leagues are similar to girls basketball in that every little thing is contested, in the beginning anyway. Either they'll get tired and calm down, or get tired and rev up. Let the game come to you.

Those expectations most likely will not be met. :)

This is nonsense. Most coaches at a school have the threat of being reported to a higher organization. These idiot adults don't.

If you want to work this dreck, go for it, but don't think you'll learn much from it.

There is a lot to be learned by working this level of ball. There's patience. There's how to deal with hotheaded has-beens. There's how to deal with clueless and abrasive never-weres.

The purpose of most church leagues is not competitive sports. The purpose is fellowship, exercise, and sportsmanship. Don't allow the idiots (and there are always at least a few) to derail the purposes of the game. Don't take crap. Don't lose any sleep over calls you made, didn't make, missed, etc.

Do be professional. Do act the part. Do not be surprised at how many people are completely clueless about what your part is.

Above all, communicate your expectations about player behavior in appropriate ways. Then back up those expectations.

Seriously, the worst that can happen is that you get invited back. :D (No, that wasn't a typo).

I pity da fool who argues with my calls!

http://blacksportsonline.com/index/Mr_T.jpg

Because Muslims and Jews do not attend church.

Thanks ...
 

Snaqwells: Thanks. It's now fixed on my hard drive.

When asked, always explain technical fouls on players to coaches.

Cause then it would be a mosque league or synagogue league :D

To Be More Specific, Piece Of Etrog Cake ...
 

I've actually worked mens synagogue league games. Piece of cake. I'd go back there in a second. Good basketball, and maybe, in terms of game management, the easiest mens league I've ever worked.

I haven't worked any mosque league games yet. Off topic, but I was once assigned a prison league game, actually filled out all the background paperwork, but it was snowed out, and canceled.

men's church league
 

Men's Church League...... the brawl that begins with a prayer......... some things never change. :-)

That would be a first: A church league made up of Muslim and Jewish teams, :D.

MTD, Sr.

Very ecumenical.

Yes, this will be a test of character, yours... If you can put up with the whining and stare-downs on what some players think should have been a foul, then you have passed the hardest part of the test (do I want to officiate) and will have a 'real' game well in hand.

I have to disagree with the idea that there's something he can learn about himself that's important to officiating. A person can love officiating and absolutely hate men's rec leagues; that describes many people, actually.

Fact is, I don't "put up" with the whining and stare downs. I address it quickly and sternly. One warning, if you want, followed by a T the next time he does it (and he will) usually takes care of it. If not, a 2nd T will take care of it.

Whack early, whack often.

I'm working some church men's games tomorrow night. I'm hitting the gym today to work my "T" muscles. I don't want to pull something during the game. :D

BITS - Words of caution:

After the holidays many folks go to the gym as part of their "New Years Resolution" and overdo it. Recommend you start with light weights as you don't want to "pull a muscle in preparing for a game you don't want to pull a muscle." :D

(Said very tongue in cheek!)

If you are a new official aspiring to do varsity level ball, one benefit from working men's leagues is it will more closely approximate varsity level ball as far as player's size, speed, quickness and play above the rim. Of course, that is assuming players have skills and it is a decent league. I did some industrial league in NC and that was the case. Not sure about your Church league....

First off, welcome skeeter! I too was in the same boat. Been watching around then finally came to sign up. I too have a love of the game but I too know there are a lot of things that I need to improve on. And if you haven't noticed, I am only 17 years of age. So I have a little time to improve. Heck, I can't even do middle school games yet...I'm stuck with Church Leagues, Rec Leagues, etc. So I think I can offer you a little advice.

Church leagues can be rough. However, the one thing that I learned is that normally the person in charge of the league will protect you. And I don't mean from physical harm, but in the sense he will back you up. So my first step would to develop some sort of relationship with the leader of the program. The next thing I would do is to ensure that I have a strong pregame speech. If needed, have a speech with just the coaches, then invite the players for the normal pregame.

Doing that will help set the ground rules. Also, another thing that you want to do is establish a relationship with the coaches. Don't come on like a hardass, but they too need to know that you are the official of the game. If you guys talk outside the game about anything, football, basketball, anything, it normally helps out a little. Do the same for the kids. If you are waiting to do a game and sitting in the stands, don't be afraid to talk to them. A lot of officials do that here and some how it works out well. I mean, they know them both on and off the court. And they too know that when they are on the court, he has to call his game, but the kids too know that they wont get away with a lot because you have a relationship and that you know you may be watched more than the others.

So that's something to keep in mind. My advice is to let them play the game within the rules! hahaha...not trying to be a smartass, but let them play a little. I like to call my games a little loose yet tight. Meaning that if they barely got hit on the arm and the shot goes in, I'm not calling it. But if they go for a layup and their is collision, you need to call it. I hope you know what I mean...let them play, dont be real tight, yet make sure its within the rules.

Overall, communication is important. Talk things out. If a coach is yelling, give him a warning, gently. Like, "alright coach, that's enough". If he keeps it up, give him a firm warning "That's Enough!" then if he continues, T him up. Make sure he sits down, then resume game.

Hope that helps. It works for the two church leagues I referee. PM me if you need more advice on this.

Take care and good luck! :D
-Lucas