How soon do you arrive?
 

How early do you arrive for a game? I always try for an hour, which allows for anything unusual to happen.

If I'm running "late" (i.e., without leeway) I'll call my partner and tell him that I will be l cutting it close. Lately, the response is, but the game isn't till 5:45?

Rita

It depends on your supervisor and the level you are working. HS Var. Boys, most of the local supervisors what the varsity officials (at least 1 if not all 3) at the site prior to the start of the JV game. That's just in case 1 of the JV guys doesn't show.

for lower level 45/30 minutes prior to the game. (The earlier the better)

For NCAA ball, 1.5 hours prior to the game.

Early is good.


Bottom line, what does your supervisor want and how much time do you need to get physically and mentally ready to work the game.

NCAA Men's and Women's: CCA Manual says at least 1-1/2 hours.

NFHS: At least one hour. For JrHS games personally arrive at the game at least 45 minutes before. (The IAABO Manual is the same as the NFHS Manual.)

FIBA: At least one hour.

MTD, Sr.

For sub varsity, we try to arrive at the game site 30-45 minutes before game time.

Varsity officials usually show up before the JV game which is nice since they usually watch the first half of the game. At the latest, you'll see officials arrive at halftime of the JV game.

All varsity games an hour if I am by myself. Sometimes I try to get there earlier if I can, but that depends on many other circumstances.

Lower level games 30 minutes.

College games, and hour and a half at the very least, if not earlier.

Peace

Living in the DC/NVA area, this is exactly my thoughts as well no matter what level. For Rec Ball where the games are much closer I am there at least 20 min early.

30 minutes for high school. But in the area that I work, people often have to leave work early do to the JV/V double header. With that it mind, it is permissible to be less than 30 minutes early. Generally, if you're going to be 25-30 minutes early, no problem, but something around 15-20 minutes, your P must know ahead of time - and it shan't be a regular occurance. Less than 15 is a no-no. However, we're short of officials, and good officials, so when it comes down to having people at the game or not. . .

All-star tournaments on the weekend are different again. There is SO MUCH basketball, that it's not uncommon for officials to drive between sites with little break between games. Here, the expectation to arrive 30 minutes early is lifted, but otherwise 30 minutes is appreciated, but many guys arrive 15 minutes early.

College is 90+ minutes.

Contrary to MTD's approach, the ruleset doesn't dictate how early we are: but rather the type of game does. Obviously college demands a more intense pre-game than 10 year olds, even if they're their city's all-star players.

On a side note, there's no way in hell I would arive before the JV, just in case one of the JV guys didn't show, and not get paid for that extra time. That's one of the most silliest things I've read.

Me too. If I'm going to be an alternate, it better be contracted and paid for.

We target 6:30 for 7:30 varsity games. Frequently we arrive between 6:15 and 6:30. We usually watch the third quarter of the JV game and then get dressed. Although I liked last night -- we went to the locker room at halftime, had a nice pregame, and didn't bother coming back out until we were needed for warmups.

Be early enough so that if you're late, you're on time.

"He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious."
 

This almost sounds like a Yogi Berra quote.

V games about the end of the 1st quarter. JV 30 minutes. JH when i get there... about 20 minutes

Nice Gig, If You Can Get It ...
 

So you always make your partner work the first period by himself? Remind me never to work a varsity game with you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by refnrev
[COLOR="black"][COLOR="Red"]V games about the end of the 1st quarter OF THE JV GAME!


There. I fixed it.

Who's On First ???
 

It was funnier the first time. The way that this is supposed to work is someone posts a "straight" line, then, someone, usually Mark Padgett, posts a funny "comeback" line, and everybody gets a little chuckle. By editing your original post, the "comeback" line isn't funny anymore. With 1,797 posts, you should know this by now. It's not rocket science, or brain surgery.

While I like you, you aren't Padgett, even though you sure seem to be trying to be.

Just my opinion, though. Don't take offense.

And I Wasn't Trying To Be Mean About The Edit ...
 

Nobody can be a Mark Padgett. I thought for sure that he would stop posting during the television writer's strike a while ago. I'm not trying to be like him, I'm just trying to be me, trying to improve my basketball officiating knowledge, and have a little fun at the same time. No offense taken.

"Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy: I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy". (Senator Lloyd Bentsen, October 5,. 1988)

No worries. I'm not a moderator, nor do I mind OT postings. Actually, I don't know why I posted what I did, maybe not enough caffeine this morning.

Since I am a first year official I have been doing only Freshman, or Sophomore games which means that they start at either 3:30 or 4:00. Because of the early leave I have to take from work I try to arrive around 30 minutes early. I have had partners that will only show up 10 minutes before the game. Drives me nuts!

When there's no JV game in front (holiday tournaments, playoffs), frequently there is nobody really at the school ready for us or spectators before 30-45 minutes before the game. We'll pregame in the car or quickly while we're dressing in those circumstances since by state rules we must take the floor at 20:00.

Wow. I get to my games about 1 hour before...usually a little earlier.

I think the the above requirement (in red) is excessive. It puts a person there almost 2 hours before game time. I don't think an official should be required to be there for two games unless they're getting paid for two games.

1 hour to 1 hour 15min

When In Connecticut ...
 

In our little corner of the Land Of Steady Habits, varsity officials are strongly encouraged to get to the site at the start of the junior varsity game. We watch three quarters of the game before going to the locker room to get dressed and do our pregame. Junior Varsity officials are strongly encouraged to stay for at least one half of the varsity game. This allows for some educational discussion between the crews during the junior varsity halftime, between games, and during the varsity halftime. Also, 80% of our rating, and thus our ranking, and thus the number, and level of assignments that we get next season, is based on peer ratings, so we need to get a good look at each other to give an accurate rating.

Kind of like Phil, the show killer on Dan Patrick.

Varsity an hour.........kid's games, as much as I'd like to be earlier, 10, 15 minutes is the norm, which I don't recommend.

Billy, keep it comin' ...................While Padgett is the king of corn on the left coast, we need some Eastern humor.

If He's The King Of Corn, Then I'm Just A Can Of Corn ...
 

Thanks, but I'm not even in the same league as Mark Padgett. Didn't you understand my recent post? Let me rephrase it for you:

"BillyMac, I served with Mark Padgett: I knew Mark Padgett; Mark Padgett was a friend of mine. BillyMac, you're no Mark Padgett". (Jurassic Referee, October 5,. 1988)

For my high school games, I try to get there at least and hour prior and for my NCAA games, 1.5 - 2.0 hours.