A 1st year 1st
 

Had a boys MS games last night - 2 games 5/6 and 7/8 grade combined (my 3rd this year/ever) and had the pleasure of doing it alone since my P didn't show. Ugh! Fortunately I've been reading here for a while and remembered the post(s) about 1-man games. I told the coaches before the game the it looked like I'd probably be the only one and would do the best I could but since I only have one pair of eyes and can't be everywhere I may miss some things.

I did the best I could; both coaches were pretty good for the first half, not complaining any more than I'd expect with 2-man. Start of the 2nd half home team came out flat (they were down 7ish at half) and V was on and built a large lead (15+ points). Evidently H-HC thought it was my fault since he started in mid-way through the 3rd about not calling fouls. During TOs he wanted to come out on the court and talk to me about "watching for fouls" instead of coaching his team. I warned him that he couldn't be half way across the court (literally).

In the 4th quarter (7/8 game) a ball goes OB right by H bench. I call white ball (which was correct) but point the wrong way (still not sure why). H-HC goes off saying it's their ball. I tell him I know it was and that's what I said (still not realizing that I pointed the wrong way). He tells me that I pointed the wrong way. I messed up, am sorry, again say white ball and get ready to put it in play. Then H-HC says "that's not the only time you messed up tonight!"

Tweet! T on HC. So, another first. What a game!

I'm sure it was a HTBT situation, but could you give me feedback about the T if you think it was good or not?

I'm not sure if this was a good night or a bad one due to all the firsts - that's still being sorted out in my head.

Hopefully I won't have another 1-man game in a long time. :o

cdoug:

You did good.

MTD, Sr.


P.S.: Out of idle curosity (I hope I spelled that correctly, but problably didn't.) who were the two schools involved.

cdoug. Great story! Most, if not all of us have, been there, done that with eveything you described.

I was at a Freshman HS game last night where the ref did the first 7 min of the game by himself on a LARGE court. While the coaches chirped, I thought he did a pretty good job. He really got in one coaches face early though.

I personally like calling the coaches together before the game and saying - look, I can see the ball and watch it - but don't be looking for me to call off-ball illegal screen contact, three seconds, who the ball went off in the corner when I'm at the free throw line opposite side, etc. You just can't see it all!

I would venture to say many of us have pointed in the worng direction or used the wrong hand and arm signal in the past. Just explain it and move on.

As for the T - only you really know whether it was good or not. But, sounds ok to me. You can only take so much "chirping" and an attack on your person or character should never be tolerated. Seat belting him is fine IMO!

Good "T". He got personal.

I have been fortunate not to have had to do a one man game, came close a couple of times though.

I thought that if I did, I would stay somewhere out past the 28 foot line and move to the middle of the court if the ball goes away from me. When the teams move to the other basket I would switch sides if the ball went that way, by just crossing as the ball moved over the half court line.

Is that considered proper technique?

Personally, I would never say something like that before the game to the coaches. Why put negative thoughts into their heads? Just hustle, do the job the best you can, and use that line if the coach complains about a call.

Bob, I certainly understand that school of thought as we've had these discussions on the Forum before. I just find this approach is what I feel comfortable with..... and frankly, I hope I don't have to use it too often.

MTD, Sr.:

Check your PMs

My pre-game: "I'll do the best I can but I'm definitely not going to take any sh!t. " :D

When I'm alone, coaches get less allowance for questioning calls.

Easy T, good job.

One Man Mechanics
 

I cannot remember where I found this article regarding one man mechanics, however it has given me more confidence when my partner is a no show.


- THE ART OF ONE-PERSON MECHANICS -
Sooner or later every referee works alone. Sometimes your co-official has an emergency, and it is too late to find a replacement. More commonly, your assignor does not have enough officials on a particular date and you receive the honor. Manuals and training in two- and three-person mechanics are readily available, but no formal training exists for one person mechanics. This article intends to provide effective tools and guidelines for performing at a high level as a crew of one.
Most importantly, do not panic. You can do this. Staring wistfully out the gym door and frantically searching among the fans, or (worse) the assistant coaches, for a suitable partner is a waste of valuable time. You are now the R in the game. Act the part. Take care of all normal pre-game duties.
Working solo requires special attention to these key areas:
Table: Inform the scorekeeper that once he or she makes eye contact with you during a foul, the report will be made without further eye contact (more on this later). Table personnel should be prepared to assist you if you question whether or not a shot went in the basket.
PLAYERS: Gather all starting players just before the jump ball, and explain these situation. 1. If you request help on an out of bounds call, the call will be made by the players (players always know this one anyway). If opposing players disagree on the call, you will award the ball according to the possession arrow. Any disagreement at all, period - goes to the arrow. 2. Inbounds plays may require you to make some unusually long bounce passes to the inbounder, even to the point of passing the ball through parts of the playing floor, and these passes must reach the inbounder without interference. 3, In addition to retrieving loose balls you will expect them to hold the ball during any report to the table until you request it.
Coaches: Let them know that you will be far too busy to converse with them during the course of the contest.
Now you are ready to toss it up. If you understand three person mechanics you will work primarily from the C and T positions. Work from free throw line extended to free throw line extended. Do not go to the baseline or lead position unless absolutely necessary for play coverage. Drives to the basket will be officiated from behind the play while closing down toward the baseline to maintain an angle. Intelligent sacrifices must be made in off ball coverage. For example, opposing players more than six feet apart do not need your attention. Maintain a wide field of view and referee through the play. Otherwise, it is business as usual with a few exceptions as follows.
• Always work opposite the table. If the play takes you to the tableside get back to the opposite side as soon as play will allow you to cross the floor. If you have a foul call while tableside, go opposite before you stop to report.
• Foul reports: Stay wide of the players. Move to a spot, stop, and stand still to facilitate a clear report. Glance at the scorekeeper to make sure you have his or her attention, then give the report without taking your eyes off the players. You work and report from table opposite so your back is never to the players.
• Free throws: Administer all attempts from the trail position facing the table.
• Inbounds plays: This one requires common sense on your part. Obtain a position that allows you to see the whole play and bounce the ball to the inbounder from that spot, even if you must pass it between players. Inform the players of where you will pass the ball in unusual situations and say the word "play" as soon as you are certain the inbounder has secured the ball.
• Time outs: I recommend standing in the center circle facing the table. Do not forget the spot if an inbounds play follows the time out.
• Transition o ffense: T rail the p lay s lightly. D o n of ne glect the p layers t hat are trailing but focus on the action at the point of attack.
• Pressure defense: Maintain position even with or one step ahead of the ball and stay as wide as possible.
• Trouble spots: The most difficult play coverage occurs when the ball goes to the comer on the other side of the floor. It usually helps to move toward the division line and into the middle of the floor as long as you can stay clear of players at the top of the key. Do not get caught out there in transition.
These recommendations are made with the hope that you will land your next solo flight without incident. Feel free to modify to fit your style or situation as needed. A crew of one is certainly not the ideal situation, but if you can get the players to work with you, a solo game can be a very rewarding experience. In fact, you may be amazed at how well the players respond with one referee and what great sportsmanship they often exhibit in this situation.

This probably will not help everyone, but maybe a few officials could benefit from these mechanics.
Have a Blessed Day!

Mark

Thank goodness WI doesn't allow a WIAA game at any level to start with one official. They'd find somebody licensed to work or we wouldn't have a game.

Sounds like you did a very nice job............congrats

Really????

Yep - I kinda like it!!:D

I can see this...the schools may insist that their contract requires they pay X-amount of $$$ for each contest and in return they expect a minimun of 2 officials to perform the duties. Also could be liability issues. Only 1 official and a player gets hurt, especially during an altercation, could leave the school vulnerable to a lawsuit.

It's not a school thing - it's a state thing. You must have at least 2 officials to start a game, however, if for some reason an official cannot complete their game, the game may be finished with a single official.

Ranchman - very interesting. Saw the below two mechanics used last night. Thought they looked awkward as I had never used them. But, they are just as you listed.

- Free throws: Administer all attempts from the trail position.....

- Inbounds plays: .....and bounce the ball to the inbounder from that spot, even if you must pass it between players.

Cdoug, you know the 3 P's of calling a technical foul, right? Personal, prolonged, or profane.

Mick mentioned that the coach's comment was personal. According to you the coach said

You have to judge whether that's closer to "that call stinks!" or to "you stink!" Only one of those is a personal comment. The other might sometimes be true, and does not deserve a T (the coach is entitled, up to a point, to voice his opinion of a possibly bad call).

BTW, I agree with Mick that the coach's comment was personal.

He'd been complaining a bunch already, from my read of the OP. Fits with prolonged as well, IMO. My threshold goes down if I'm working by myself.

Rich,
Is Wisconsin particularly tough on truant Officials?

My threshold stays the same, but I have half the ref's to hear it so I reach it twice as quickly.:D

Why??

Parents, players, coaches AND the lone official(does he get paid if game is cancelled) have committed time, effort, and money to have a game that can most certainly be officiated by a competent ref. A varsity game? No, but certainly lower level games.

Perhaps, but I never issue a T for "prolonged" until after I've told the coach "that's enough." I did not see that in the OP.

I agree with a shorter leash for solo games.

Very contradictory.

Ditto, cdoug. You handled it correctly.:)

Sometimes the coach could be working his way to an ABS T, but before I can warn him he jumps off the cliff. The OP sounds like this is the case.

My thoughts exactly. I've only had it happen once and it wasn't for the whole game. Hopefully, it stays at only once.

Don't know. Much is kept at the local level. And since I only work the late games (mostly 7:30PM starts), even if something did happen where I was late, there would (in theory) be two licensed guys still there from the JV game.

I know I did a JV/V double last year because the home team had a late turnback and they wouldn't have had a game had I not gone in early to work.

It's not, actually. It keeps schools from even THINKING about saving $40 from not hiring a second official. And the minimum exists in ALL sports - 2 for baseball and softball, 3 for football (4 varsity), etc.

If an official gets hurt, that's one thing, but no school can only SCHEDULE one official for a FR softball game because if they could, many of them would regularly.

One-person officiating guidelines
 

Here's what the interpereters in Connecticut came up with. These are only suggestions:

It is quite possible that you will eventually officiate a game by yourself. This document offers officiating guidelines and one-person officiating mechanics you should follow:

Assignment Commissioner
-Contact the Commissioner either before or after the game.
-If you are assigned a game by the Assignment Commissioner, DO NOT accept an offer from a parent, coach, or a non-Bd. official. Work alone.

Coaches and Administrators Conference
-Conduct a pre-game meeting with both coaches and the game administrator.
-Confirm that everyone is in agreement.
-Request coaches cooperation and express advance appreciation for them assisting you in keeping themselves and the game under control.
-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.
-Remind game administrator that your fee is a “game and a half” fee.

Pregame Captains Meeting
-Explain that you will appreciate and expect the cooperation from all ten players on the floor.
-Explain that you expect the players to retrieve all loose balls once the whistle is sounded.

Floor Coverage
-Work the sideline, opposite the scorer’s table, moving from free throw line extended to free throw line extended.
-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 end line.

Start/Stop Clock
-You must stop/start clock at all opportunities using the proper mechanic. For example, during a successful free throw, as Trail, you must start the clock.

Out of Bounds
-Request players and coaches to assist you on out of bounds violations.
-If disagreement results, use the alternating possession arrow to make decision.
-After designating the throw-in spot, move to your position (see Floor Coverage) and either bounce or toss the ball to the player for the throw-in.

Time Outs
-Stand at the division line, ¾ away from the scorer’s table with ball on hip toward the teams’ basket which will have control of the ball. After 1st horn, move to area on the playing court where play will resume.

Three Point Shots
-Do not guess. Move to improve your angle or request coaches to assist with the proper call.

Reporting Fouls
-Move to the mid court area to report a foul.
-Keep your distance to enable you to observe all the players.

Free Throw Coverage
-Assemble the players and administer every free throw from the Trail position.
-Observe initial placement of the free thrower’s feet, but then focus attention on the other players along the free throw lane lines.

Presses
-Remain at the free throw line extended in the backcourt, opposite the scorer/timer table and move up the court with the players.

Maintain Control
-Maintain your composure.
-You may need to blow your whistle more so players do not take advantage of the situation.
-Take charge early to help keep the crazy stuff in check.
-Do not argue with the coaches. Keep your cool and remind them that you are working hard for them.
-Do the best you can. It is not your fault that this situation occurred.
-Remember that, if approached properly, people will almost always be willing to assist.
-Remember that you are the best official on the floor, albeit the only one.

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

Is this common for one-man games (that is, when you wind up covering for another)?

Reasonable to expect it as well even if it's wreck or park district ball (especially since the $$ had been designated for more than one official)?

Would like to know what "leverage" can be expected here, if any. Thanks.

How is this different from a normal game?

It's The Law ...
 

It's in our contract with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, our state sports governing body.