1st year questions

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

1. Why do some vets use the minimal verbal signals when administering free throws and reporting fouls, but say "Going Down" or "Staying here." on throw ins? It's very confusing for jr high especially.

2. Am I in the minority in my belief that more Delay of Game warnings and DOG technical fouls should be called for knocking the ball away after scoring a basket?

You can learn a lot by watching vets. Sometimes you learn what not to do (and why). It's a form of "do as I say, not as I do." Sometimes it's because these "vets" are working JH games for a reason (although that depends on the area and the specific person -- there are lots of exceptions).

And, I'd venture to guess that in 10 years or so, someone will be (or could be) writing a similar post after having observed one of your games. We all have bad habits.

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

You can learn a lot by watching vets. Sometimes you learn what not to do (and why). It's a form of "do as I say, not as I do." Sometimes it's because these "vets" are working JH games for a reason (although that depends on the area and the specific person -- there are lots of exceptions).

And, I'd venture to guess that in 10 years or so, someone will be (or could be) writing a similar post after having observed one of your games. We all have bad habits.

Bob, that's a good point. I am sometimes too quick to note deficiencies in other officials. I will try to learn from the good things I see and not focus on idiosyncracies.

[Loudwhistle]

Mark,
You must be sick or away hunting, I thought for sure you would grab onto some of the verbage at the beginning of this thread and add some humor.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle

Mark,
You must be sick or away hunting, I thought for sure you would grab onto some of the verbage at the beginning of this thread and add some humor.

In the opening thread, I saw the words "vet" and "DOG" and thought I was on a board about animals - and I don't mean the kind that coach.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

"Going Down"

Originally Posted by zebraman

"going down."

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

"going down"

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle

Mark, I thought for sure you would grab onto some of the verbiage at the beginning of this thread and add some humor.

I can't believe it. Mark Padgett, and the rest of you guys, are showing a tremendous amount of restraint. Three straight lines and not a single "zinger"? I still can't believe it. Am I on the wrong website? Is this the NFHS forum?

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

Bob, that's a good point. I am sometimes too quick to note deficiencies in other officials. I will try to learn from the good things I see and not focus on idiosyncracies.

It is both appropriate and useful to note other officials' deficiencies when watching them work. It's what you do with those "notes" that is important.

Using those notes to trash a fellow official, is obviously bad. Using those notes as evidence in your own mind that you are better than that official, will usually prove harmful to you.

Using those notes as examples of what not to do in your game, is good. Using those notes to form your own conclusion about how good an official is, and by extension how useful incorporating parts of his or her game into yours, is also good.

So don't ignore negative observations about fellow officials, just keep them in their proper place.

One other bit of wisdom from the trenches (that you're free to consider or discard, obviously). You will sometimes see vets with terrible mechanics and horrible habits working big games. And perhaps you will wonder why. Reasons they get those games include: They have become masters of managing a game, they have been around a long time and are widely trusted, they are there to keep an eye on their younger partners and help bring them along.

Just because a "vet" lacks some of the mechanical polish you and I are working to acquire doesn't mean he or she isn't a great official. However, if you and I can become equally masterful at managing a game and as widely trusted, and we also develop great mechanics, I think eventually we'll find there is room at the top for us too.

[mj]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

It is both appropriate and useful to note other officials' deficiencies when watching them work. It's what you do with those "notes" that is important.

Using those notes to trash a fellow official, is obviously bad. Using those notes as evidence in your own mind that you are better than that official, will usually prove harmful to you.

Using those notes as examples of what not to do in your game, is good. Using those notes to form your own conclusion about how good an official is, and by extension how useful incorporating parts of his or her game into yours, is also good.

So don't ignore negative observations about fellow officials, just keep them in their proper place.

One other bit of wisdom from the trenches (that you're free to consider or discard, obviously). You will sometimes see vets with terrible mechanics and horrible habits working big games. And perhaps you will wonder why. Reasons they get those games include: They have become masters of managing a game, they have been around a long time and are widely trusted, they are there to keep an eye on their younger partners and help bring them along.

Just because a "vet" lacks some of the mechanical polish you and I are working to acquire doesn't mean he or she isn't a great official. However, if you and I can become equally masterful at managing a game and as widely trusted, and we also develop great mechanics, I think eventually we'll find there is room at the top for us too.

Great point BITS. I thought of this yesterday watching a college vet doing a closely guarded count with his arm extended and using his fingers count.

Watch the vets and do what works for you...