Coach: Nevada, wasn't that a foul?
Nevada: It was, but then I changed my mind and decided it wasn't.

:p

I am sorry; I could not read all of this as this discussion is somewhat repetitive. ;)

I will just say this; you have to understand the game and the mechanics. In one of our State Final Games this past year on the Boy's side, there was a play where the Trail was on a play and for some reason, did not call a foul that everyone could clearly see on a steal attempt near the middle of the floor. A veteran official for some reason either had a brain fart or cracked under the pressure and one of our own (who does not come here anymore to my knowledge) made a great call in the coverage area of his partner. Not only was this an unusual situation, but it was kind of a game saver on many levels. If this foul was not called, the hinges might have come off the doors of this game. This was a rare play in the game and if I recall there was not another moment in the game where this kind of play needed this kind of attention. It was a great get from the official that was calling out of his area, but everyone clearly saw a foul and if this did not get called, the game would have been in jeopardy.

That is not the case most of the time. This should be a rare occurrence that you need to call out of your area (if not in the lane BTW) in the first place. And honestly I do not understand why this keeps coming up, other than officials that do not understand the terminology or the mechanics systems to know when these things have difference. I can move this discussion to other sports I work and there are clearly things I would not ever call that my partner is responsible for and I am fine with this, even if they are completely wrong. If you call all over the floor when it is not necessary, a coach or player is going to expect you to call a foul in a situation where it would not be necessary in the first place.

Peace

It just shows that the players are playing you against your partners. They are telling your partners the exact same thing when you miss a call. :cool:

I hear what you're saying BNR, but I wouldn't go THAT far... you're making asumptions :)
I'm aware of the ol' divide & conquer routine. Doesn't work on me... my partner(s) is all that I have out there & we will be the best team on the court!

My sitch happened in a pro setting, where there is often more pushback from players (grown men) than in HS/NCAA. Our rule of thumb is to refer the complaintant to the calling or non-calling official.
We don't answer for each other.

You've got to be a good communicator or you won't be around long.

"Way to play through the contact" - let's 'em know you saw it & passed.

Many times, they respond with "if I missed was a whistle coming?"

"Perhaps" with a smile or wink.

That's the trust I'm speaking of.

I ref'd Pro-Am this weekend, those players weren't any different. And my rule of thumb at each level (HS/NCAA/Pro-Am) is to refer any complainant to the calling official.

Not sure about the league in the 2up 2down, but we have current NBA & D-League players & they are very different from HS/NCAA players :D

More pushback, but less time to moan as the game is very fast paced.

I am going to comment more on this topic at a later date but just to address your statement to pro players that he did a good job playing through the contact is not a good idea IMO. In fact I would say a lot of guys would say its a bad idea. There is a better likelihood that it will end up hurting you than helping you. Most the pro guys I know would say back to you something about it don't matter so just blow the damn whistle. I would only address the play if the player brings it up.

Perhaps... just like communication with the coaches (at any level) you gotta know who you're dealing with. Being my 3rd yr in the league, I know who I can/can't say those types of things to.

As a matter of fact, comments like that (to certain players/coaches) helps the game in some instances! Sometimes it diffuses the pushback when you feel it coming on.
Acknowledging non-verbal concerns of players/coaches is not ALWAYS a bad thing. Why not resolve the situation before it blows up? Another part of GM skills.

I guess one would have to have a "feel" for the game to do those types of things successfully :cool:

I agree with you on your points but players don't discern contact like we officials do so as I said previously I don't see how telling a player, even if you are attempting to thwart his non verbal reaction to the play, that he did well playing through the contact will aid you in the long term cause I am not only telling you but I promise you it will bite you. But sometimes as a young official you have to get bit before he truly takes hold. I definitely know that and am still learning that but I have also learned to listen a little more often to my more experienced partners so that I don't have to get bit. Would you mind me asking how old you are? You just sound a lot like I did in my early years of officiating. Heck im still in my early years!

Early 30s (wish I got started sooner) :(
4th season HS
3rd season Pro-AM
2nd season W-college summer league

A grown man in birth years, but still a baby in officiating years. Although working Jan-Dec increases my experience level a bit more than what those numbers suggest.

I value what you say, thanks!

That's all great stuff. Keep trying different things and integrate the successful ones into your own unique style. You can do things that many others cannot, and there are things that a lot of others can do that won't work for you. Most here would disagree with some of your GM philosophies and "personality" on the court, but if you can harness that charisma and use it effectively, you have an insanely powerful tool at your disposal. I think it's great.

That sounds great, but I still would not listen to players as the judgment of my officiating ability. And I certainly would not listen to "has beens" either. They think they know more than you because they played most of their life. You have a job to do, do it and do not worry about what the players think. JMHO

Peace

+1

Ditto.