Don't throw out the baby with the bath water.
 

umpref: There's a lot of great advice on this Forum. Just ignore anything that you find offensive. And even if your treated disrespectfully, be the bigger man, and treat those posters with respect, whether they deserve it, or not. That's what I do. I kill them with kindness, and, images, lots of images.

I respectfully disagree ...
 

I'm a rookie, I'm too young to join pissing contests, and I don't know enough to contribute that much here. But, where else can I get home from a game at 9:00PM from a game, post a question from the game, and get an answer from several experts before I go to bed.

I understand that it can get contentious here, but overall this board is a great resource that makes anyone who reads a better ref. Criticize all you want, but if I get good answers I'll keep reading.

I take these forums with a grain of salt. I learn a heck of a lot from them but I don't let the arguments bother me. I take what I can and give what I can and don't let the rest bother me. It's like TV. I can always turn the channel by moving on to another thread. Most people in here are good-hearted people who want to learn more about officiating and improve their game. I never take it personal in here.

No big deal. Have a good day. Kumbaya. Sideline warning, no yardage.:)

I agree. As a 2nd year ref I utilize the forum the same way and found it very helpful during my rookie year. Ask the question the right way and I found the replies from the vets to be extremely helpful whether the question was about a rule sitch or a question on mechanics and positioning.
Regarding the point raised in the OP...while my lack of experience and mastery of the rules and the case book would obviously keep me out of engaging in the type of discussion the poster refers to... what I do find frustrating is that someone posts a sitch which lets say has to with POI. The "gotcha" type stuff at time gets so bad you never learn (as a newbie) the correct way to handle the sitch should it ever occur in one of your games.
It gets lost in all the "squabbling"....so I always appreciate it when one of the "cooler heads" prevail and brings the conversation back to point...based on specific rule book/case book references.
That said, I do enjoy the forum and continue to learn from the experience of others.

What?? What did he say?? Did you guys hear anything?:D

With all due respect
 

First of all, welcome back.

Second, if this place is useful to you, then by all means please participate and contribute.

Third, please don't be yet another ungrateful whiner who tries to refashion the forum after his or her own Utopian ideal.

If you want to be part of this community, then be part of it. If you don't, then don't. Either way, it won't cost you a dime. But we are what we are; don't expect us to change for you.

Can I get an AMEN? :rolleyes:

How's that 12 step program working for you, Billy? :D

Personally I've been viewing this forum for nearly five years and been a member for over two years. I love how the rules and philosophy are discussed from every and all angles. Yes, there are some "pissing matches" every now and then, but generally, you can find some good points in these arguments and add them to repertoire and ignore the rest/what doesn't work for you.

I take it you never visited McGriff's Refonline? Oy.

Amen brother BITS!

Amen!

Umpref:

I'm a first year official, so I mostly just ask questions or read current threads.

I read three boards at least once every day and sometimes multiple times each day:

1. A Quality Forum

2. A Myrtle Beach Golf Forum

3. This Forum

What do they have in common? Lots of very knowledeable people who are willing to share their expertise, for free. None of them are perfect, not all of the stuff is terrific or on topic, but all three consistently give me a reason to read.

If certain people bother you that much, put them on ignore. I know that some posters are not to my taste, but "so ist das Leben"

This is my first year and I find this board is always informative, sometimes amusing, and yes every once in a while you read a reply that makes you say OUCH. These boards are communities, some might say families. I have an uncle who irritates me with his politics, offends me with his humor and can generally be a pain. I still invite him to dinner.

The first thing to learn, as a first year official, is NEVER use French :eek: on the discussion board. Latin, yes. French, NYET! ;)