Injury question...

[dsturdy5]

This is not in regards to players getting injured by rather officials...

Have any of you ever been involved in a game where you or a partner have gotten injured during a game to the point where you cannot continue? What happens? I work primarily two man games. If it is a sub varsity game and the varsity guys are there, would you expect one to step in, even if it means cutting out on the pre-game conference? Similarly, if you are working a varsity game and someone goes down, would you expect a sub varsity guy to step in, even if he is not able to handle the game? Of course, the coaches would understand and cut the officials some slack in this circumstance

Most of the assignors I work for are of the belief that the game(s) should be played and we must do everything within our power to see it to the end.

Have any of you experienced something like this? How was it handled?

[zm1283]

In our area the JV officials are the Varsity officials. All 3 (Or 2) of them work the JV and Varsity games.

In a 3-man game, we would just continue with 2 guys. With a 2-man game, I'm not really sure. If it was a junior high game, our assignor probably would let it finish with one person. Anything above that, we would call him to see what he wanted to do.

[zebraman]

Subvarsity game: Our association doesn't have a written policy for anything like that so it would be up to the officials at the site. If it was 2-person, I would definitely step in and help rather than have the game cancelled or finished 1-person. However, we have some officials who would not help out in that situation. If it was 3-person, I would ask the 2 officials remaining if they want to finish the game with 2 or if they'd like me to be their third for the rest of the game.

Varsity game: Again, no written policy.... however, I have had about 5 varsity partners injured since I started officiating and I have never had a "JV" official say no when asked to fill in. I have always felt comfortable enough with at least one of the JV officials to ask them to fill in for the third official (another reason for JV officials to stick around and watch the Varsity game).

[JRutledge]

There is no policy in my area about this directly. But we do encourage our sub-varsity officials to wait until the varsity officials are all present and observe the varsity game when possible.

I cannot recall if I have ever been in a game where a partner got hurt where they could not continue. But if that were to happen, I would do the best I could and get the game done. Not much you can do.

Peace

[chartrusepengui]

In WI we have to start the game with 2 officials. We cannot begain a game until there are at least 2 officials. However, if one official becomes incapacitated so that they cannot continue, the game may be completed with one official.

In my experience when this has happened - they try and find a registered official to complete the game. (JV officials, or once - another officials who was watching in the stands) In my 20+ years I have only seen this happen 4 times. 3 of these were because an official did something silly - like running backwards, falling and smacking head on floor/bleacher. The other turned out to be a torn calf muscle.

[Mark Padgett]

I've never had a partner leave a game due to injury, however, quite a few have wanted to leave after working a quarter with me.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by zebraman

Varsity game: Again, no written policy.... however, I have had about 5 varsity partners injured since I started officiating.

Wow....remind me to never work with you. You seem to be hard on your partners!

[SmokeEater]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Wow....remind me to never work with you. You seem to be hard on your partners!

That's because they have to work so hard to carry him..... well thats what my partners always say at least.