Who to call the foul on?

[jeffpea]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

First - this is as wrong as it gets. Second - why would you know how many fouls each player has? Do you work games where the fouls are posted on the scoreboard? Other than that, there should be no knowledge on your part of these numbers. Your comment is one of the reasons why. Call the game as it happens. It's up to the player's actions to determine the outcome, not your misguided sense of what has impact and what doesn't. Remember - be in control of the game without controlling the game.

the games in which I work (D2, D3, NAIA, some HS) require more game management skills than other facets of officiating.....the way in which i handle the situation in the OP, is the way that I have managed that scenario in games (and you know what? NOBODY COMPLAINED when it happened - probably because nobody noticed)

those that I admire/trust who work at higher levels repeatedly say - "anyone can call traveling, see if someone stepped out of bounds, or call a block/charge play....it's the officials who can manage the game (players, coaches, score table, partners, etc) that rise to the highest level of officiating" (and since that's my goal - I've tried to emulate those successful behaviors)

i always want to know who the best players are, which players have 4 fouls, what style of play each team uses, how the coaches interact (or don't) w/ officials, what type/level of contact has been previously called a foul in the game, which players are the trouble makers, etc...

i do call the game as it happens - in a manner that is in accordance w/ the rules and in a manner that is fair for both teams....that's what an official does, to administer and adjudicate the rules in a fair manner.