One of the hardest parts of the game to develop a feel for in football for me was the sideline management aspect of working on the wing. I have the ability to throw a flag and assess a penalty, but doing so introduces me as a factor in the game. I avoid it, as much as possible, and use preventive officiating as an alternative to laundry on the field. I don't have to deal with fans, because of distance and the nuances of the game. It also seems that this area of the game, while small, has the greatest potential for damage if I don't handle it right. I work on football on almost a nightly basis right now and I am getting a feel for where my tolerances (safety and personal) are, but I had some good advice from veteran officials before I ever stepped on the field.
Basketball, being a different game, deals with these things differently. I have an understanding as to when a "T" is needed, but how should I deal with crowd issues? Is there a line (generally) a fan crosses that deserves warning, penalty or expulsion from the facility? What are some situations and solutions that our veteran officials have faced? How did it turn out? Thanks in advance for the advice.
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Strange women, lying in ponds, distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. If I went around claiming I was an emperor just because some moistened bink lobbed a scimitar at me, they would put me away.
-Monty Python-
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