Pecking order

[zebraman]

I think grunewar is having a similar experience to what mine has been.

Although it sometimes seems as if I just started, I am now one of the more senior officials in our group (14 years). I moved up steadily in the rankings from when I first started and have been fortunate enough to be in that "top group" for a while now.

On my way up, I encountered all kinds of higher-ranked officials. A few in the top who made sure I knew just how great they were and seemed intent on keeping others down. A few in the top who were great mentors and did what they could to help me along without any concern of whether or not I might someday be a direct peer. A few in the top who just did their own thing without getting involved with others at all. A few in the top who did whatever they thought made them look better in the eyes of others. They all serve a purpose.... you can see what works and what doesn't.

When I look at the handful of guys who started in the early 90's with me, I see some who have consistently worked hard and been consumate professionals. They have attended at least a few camps and use the off-season to improve rather than to develop bad habits (or do nothing). While there is some variance in "natural talent," most of those guys who work at it have climbed steadily.

Some of the others who started back then don't take it real serious and aren't too concerned about ratings. They work their games and don't complain about not getting a "top" schedule. Our assignor loves those guys - he says they "chew up innings."

Then there are a few who lace em' up in November and put em' away in March and can't figure out why the politics of our association holds them back.

I hope I am a good mentor now. If I see an official who is working hard and asking lots of questions, I will bend over backwards for them. One young official called me after last season and asked if he could work summer games with me. I had our assignor put him on my crew several times for summer leagues and tournaments and he worked with some other vets as well. He pestered me for info every game and added many tools to his game. His improvement was amazing. I am sure that he is on his way to becoming a top-rated official for us. Heck, he might pass me by in a few years and I am OK with that. I think being a top official is a privilege AND a responsibility. The responsibility is to make sure there are competent officials to take my place when I walk off the floor for the last time (many, many years away I hope).

If I see an official and I offer them some advice, I watch their reaction. If they want the info, I will continue to help them when I see them down the road. If they resist or make excuses, I won't waste my time with them anymore.

[StripesOhio]

Most things are/become political when there is a selection process. I guess the old, "work hard, head down" pays off in some of these situations.

I am fortunate that a conference commish saw me work a JV game and asked me to take the class 1 test this year to get on his varsity roster. He had some comments on some of my mechanics and I explained I was still shaking the rust after being out for three years. He was still impressed enough to get me to the next level.

He's somebody I will stay in contact with and be on the good side with. No matter his reputation, as long as I work hard and he rewards me...thus goes the politics of officiating.

Edit:

He also told me he's trying to flush out some of the "veterans" who, in his opinion, aren't as sharp and seem to become lax on mechanics and working hard. So there are some commissioners/assigners who are actively keep things fresh. Whether some of its politics, I have no idea.

[mutantducky]

Also, does anyone get paid to observe refs? I think that might help. Maybe even $5-10. In the scrimmages working with extra refs I got some feedback and gave some of my own. Or does your associations require at least one observation? I talked about this with a 2nd year guy and he also said the same as me that he was getting very little feedback as well. I'm thinking of videotaping some of my games.

[BillyMac]

When I was on my way up, I, and almost all of my fellow subvarsity colleagues, would stick around to watch the varsity game, and even observe the halftime, and post game, locker room discussion.

Today, many, but not all, subvarsity officials, work their game, take off their shoes, don't even bother to change, or shower, and give us a wave as they make a beeline out the gymnasium door.

My simple advice to subvarsity officials: Stay and watch the varsity game. You learn best by observing experienced officials working tough, competitive games. The adult beverages will still be cold later that evening.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

When I was on my way up, I, and almost all of my fellow subvarsity colleagues, would stick around to watch the varsity game, and even observe the halftime, and post game, locker room discussion.

Today, many, but not all, subvarsity officials, work their game, take off their shoes, don't even bother to shower, and give us a wave as they make a beeline out the gymnasium door.

My simple advice to subvarsity officials: Stay and watch the varsity game. You learn best by observing experienced officials working tough, competitive games. The adult beverages will still be cold later that evening.

Amen.............see it all the time.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

When I was on my way up, I, and almost all of my fellow subvarsity colleagues, would stick around to watch the varsity game, and even observe the halftime, and post game, locker room discussion.

Today, many, but not all, subvarsity officials, work their game, take off their shoes, don't even bother to change, or shower, and give us a wave as they make a beeline out the gymnasium door.

My simple advice to subvarsity officials: Stay and watch the varsity game. You learn best by observing experienced officials working tough, competitive games. The adult beverages will still be cold later that evening.

I think that the tide is changing in Central Ohio. 25 - 30 years ago, the varsity officials would actually select their JV referees. These referees obviously looked out for their own and put in good words for their JV officials.

Then, we had a rather lengthy period of time in which the FR/JV officials were completely disconnected with the varsity crews. Other than a brief meet-n-greet at halftime of the JV game (when the varsity officials would come into the JV locker room and introduce themselves to the JV guys), there was very little interaction.

Beginning with the 2008-09 basketball season, the largest suburban conference in Central Ohio decided to make some rather dramatic changes. First of all, they appointed a new League Commissioner. They then appointed new assignors in most sports. The new basketball assignor (who had been an assignor in a couple other conferences in the past) worked with the largest referee association (about 300 members), the commissioner and the ADs to create a mentoring program.

It is still very much a work-in-progress, but varsity crews are now paired with FR/JV crews for all league games. On the boys side, all FR//JV crews are 3-man crews to give the newer officials experience in 3-man mechanics prior to moving up to the varsity level. At least one, and in many cases two or three of the varsity offiicials will watch part of the FR game and ALL of the JV game. Lots of interaction at halftime from a mentoring standpoint. Frequently, the FR/JV officials stay to watch at least half of the varsity game (and come in for the varsity halftime discussion).

Other conferences have taken notice, as has the OHSAA (the program is now being run with OHSAA's blessing and support). The system is not perfect, but we are now working on developing a "cradle to grave" system for officials that will involve more relevant training, more extensive use of videos, more online training, etc. to make the progression a clearer path for all.

[Rich]

It's rare that FR/JV guys want feedback here. Many have no aspiration to move up (especially in the rural towns where they are hired because they are (1) licensed and (2) local).

So when I worked a varsity game after another varsity game on Wednesday and the crew (3-person) stayed to watch our game (which, for some reason, was worked 2-person), I was more than open to some feedback.

Matter of fact, I was just out of the shower when one of the officials walked in and said, "Ready for your critique?" to which I said, "Sure, anything you have." He was just kidding, apparently. I wasn't.

I'm going to go to 2-3 camps this summer and see if I'm good enough to be noticed by a college assignor or two. If not, I'll hopefully learn something I can take back to the high school court next year. I also was a clinician at my first clinic this year and learned as much as when I was a camper and felt I made a difference in other people's work. It's been a pretty good year.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

It's rare that FR/JV guys want feedback here. Many have no aspiration to move up (especially in the rural towns where they are hired because they are (1) licensed and (2) local).

So when I worked a varsity game after another varsity game on Wednesday and the crew (3-person) stayed to watch our game (which, for some reason, was worked 2-person), I was more than open to some feedback.

Matter of fact, I was just out of the shower when one of the officials walked in and said, "Ready for your critique?" to which I said, "Sure, anything you have." He was just kidding, apparently. I wasn't.

I'm going to go to 2-3 camps this summer and see if I'm good enough to be noticed by a college assignor or two. If not, I'll hopefully learn something I can take back to the high school court next year. I also was a clinician at my first clinic this year and learned as much as when I was a camper and felt I made a difference in other people's work. It's been a pretty good year.

Maybe these two statements were tied together.