Pre-Game Game Management Tip
 

Happened a couple years ago but funny.......

I'm R running the pre game meeting for GV game. I had been in many pre games where the R emphasises the teams not talking to each other by asking each captain if they had anything to say to the other captain, then repeat for the other team and state that these were to be the last words between the teams. So I thought I'd give it a try.............

Me: "Alright ladies, welcome to our game tonight. Who's speaking for white...OK number 4. Who's speaking for black.....OK number 2. Black team, do you have anything to say to the white team?"

Black 2: "Good Luck."

Me: "White team, do you have anything to say to the black team?"

White 4: Pointing finger at black team "Yea, we fiddin' to WIIIIIIN!"







I don't ask that question in pre-game anymore.

I was the R on a kid's football game 2 seasons ago. It was an extravaganza, meaning that this one town had home game after home game - their team in each division. And part of the weekend is to have a BBQ set up, announcing player's names, etc...

These guys were 9 and under. Like basketball, I keep it short, but at the end I did ask if anyone had any questions. One kid put his arm up (good parenting, btw), and asked, "Can I get a hotdog?"

He also happened to be an obvious offensive linesman. :D

I think that I read in this forum a story related by a poster whose college partner conducted a captains meeting by saying "OK guys, no bullsh** tonight.." and that was it. Great stuff.

I've incorporated a toned-down version of it when I am the R- I go through the usual- good sportsmanship, tuck in the shirts, black line all around, wait for subs, play the whistle... "and guys, my partner and I will talk to you and explain some rules briefly if you ask, and it's all in the delivery OK- "Ref you suck" doesn't cut it, understand?"

That's generally used for the JV, but occasionally used for freshman as a tension breaker, which has worked pretty well so far. Never for kids any younger.

Z

Point to your partner and say...
 

"His left eye is made of glass so he can see anything on that side and my right leg is fake so I may trail a few plays any questions." Once they blink from the deer in the headlights stare, I laugh and say, " We're going to have fun, so I hope you will too!" :D

There's actually a guy in my area with only 1 working eye - the other I'm not sure what it is!

Too funny...
 

In my area too, of course when I work with him, I don't use the same pregame!:D

My partner the other night wrapped our Captain's pregame up with, "Remember gentlemen, first team to 100 wins." All the players smiled - amazingly, I guess they were all paying attention. I liked it! :)

"gentlemen, if you run into the cheerleaders, keep your hands down.

You do all that? I've had partners do the "black line all around" here, but I quit doing that years ago. The less you say, the more likely they are to hear what you tell them. In hgh school, kids know what a court looks like and can find the OOB line pretty quickly.

They also know to wait for subs and "play the whistle."

1. Sportsmanship is important, so take care of your teammates if you start to see them lose their head.
2. Make sure no one has jewelry.

The only time I mention court marking is if there is something that is reasonably an obvious chance at confusion.

There is a gym in my city that has a white line, fairly thick, that is right up against the out of bounds lines. The OB line is dark, and the white line is much moer visible at quick glance. I usually mention it for visiting teams because the first year using this new gym, there were a few problems.

Well? Did you let him get one?

My standard response is, "You don't have to go without, but you can't play while eating the hotdog." :p