Fun and Frolic

[Juulie Downs]

I enjoy reffing the youngest players from time to time. They are often so sincere, so intent, and so clueless.

Yesterday, 5th grade girls, dead ball for my partner to adminster. I'm trail, tableside. I hear the nearest coach say, "Maggie, you're in." Maggie jumps up and runs straight onto the floor. Coach says, "No, no, check in at the table". But Maggie doesn't hear her because she's saying hi to me (she knows me). I say, "You have to check in at the table". She goes back to the table, talks to the table person for a moment, and then squats down in front of the table. I say, "Sub, you're in" and wave her in, while table person also tells her to go on in. Meantime, of course, whoever should be leaving has no clue, so Maggie's not getting the hint. But she finally jumps up from the X and starts to run in. Then, right in front of me, she stops, looks up at me, and says, "Now?" I only nod because I hear her parents laughing from the stands, and I don't trust myself to do differently.

They're so cute at that age!

[Adam]

I absolutely love games like that.

[DLH17]

It's funny when the kiddos stare directly at you (with that deer in the headlights kind of look) while you are tweeting and creating a wind storm with your beckoning motion - and they remain motionless as a statue.

[Juulie Downs]

Originally Posted by DLH17

It's funny when the kiddos stare directly at you (with that deer in the headlights kind of look) while you are tweeting and creating a wind storm with your beckoning motion - and they remain motionless as a statue.

I agree.

Also, this game. The other coach yelling at her girls who are setting up for a zone defense. "Girls, hands up!" (nothing happens) "Hand up, girls!" (nothing happens) "Ashley, hands up!" (nothing happens) "Katie, Kenzie, put your hands up!" (nothing happens). I caught her eye, and we both broke down laughing. Just too cute.

[Mark Padgett]

I had a sixth grade girls game a few weeks ago and almost the same thing happened. There was a player at the table and my partner waved her in while yelling "SUB" at least five times. Finally, after yelling "SUB" again, he then yelled, "Hey - I'm not ordering a sandwich here". Even I cracked up.

[Juulie Downs]

Same game. Girls "match up" after every TO, designating who will guard whom. They do this standing in two rows at the division line. We're waiting for them to finish, and I hear one girl say to an opponent, "I like those shoelaces, where did you get them?" I whistle and yell, "White Ball!! Let's GO!!"

[Upward ref]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

I enjoy reffing the youngest players from time to time. They are often so sincere, so intent, and so clueless.

Yesterday, 5th grade girls, dead ball for my partner to administer. I'm trail, table side. I hear the nearest coach say, "Maggie, you're in." Maggie jumps up and runs straight onto the floor. Coach says, "No, no, check in at the table". But Maggie doesn't hear her because she's saying hi to me (she knows me). I say, "You have to check in at the table". She goes back to the table, talks to the table person for a moment, and then squats down in front of the table. I say, "Sub, you're in" and wave her in, while table person also tells her to go on in. Meantime, of course, whoever should be leaving has no clue, so Maggie's not getting the hint. But she finally jumps up from the X and starts to run in. Then, right in front of me, she stops, looks up at me, and says, "Now?" I only nod because I hear her parents laughing from the stands, and I don't trust myself to do differently.

They're so cute at that age!

The youngsters are the only kids I have experience with so far and they are a blast. Can't beat the k-2nd graders for rough and tumble action nonstop. The 6th graders start to get kinda serious . And coaches that are mostly parents that like bball and have zero rules knowledge!( Helps that I'm only hitting on about 15 percent rule knowledge. ) nonetheless I aspire to advance possibly all the way to middle school ,or even wreck league credentials !

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by Upward ref

The youngsters are the only kids I have experience with so far and they are a blast. Can't beat the k-2nd graders for rough and tumble action nonstop. The 6th graders start to get kinda serious . And coaches that are mostly parents that like bball and have zero rules knowledge!( Helps that I'm only hitting on about 15 percent rule knowledge. ) nonetheless I aspire to advance possibly all the way to middle school ,or even wreck league credentials !

Thank you for your time and commitment to Upward! All three of my basketball playing kids started their young careers with that program at our church. I've coached and officiated (still do) in the program, as well.

Wonderful ministry opportunity.

[vbzebra]

I called a foul on a youngster this year in a rec game and he started crying right then and there!