[QUOTE=The_Rookie;705571]We worked mostly 6th, 7th and 8 th grade games, but I would say we also did about 20 Freshmen and JV games.

You can't get better without making mistakes. Make a mistake, learn from it.

1) Imbalance between number of games and number of refs.

2) Schedule / assignments were complete before assigner got your name (maybe you signed up / got licensed, etc "late")

3) Assigner just doesn't like you (for whatever reason)

4) Assigner has it in his / her head that you only want to work once every three weeks (maybe has you confused with someone else)

5) Assigner doesn't have a current copy of your open dates

IOW, you need to see what the "norm" is for your area and contact either the assigner or someone else in your association to see what (if anything) can be done.

We are more judges than officials when compared to bball refs. We sit on a panel of three judges and then evaluate the following:

YouTube - Doug & Dax's Underwater Dance Extravaganza

Not the most glamorous position but you do get all the bottled air you want.:p

Have a chat with your assigner. Ask what is realistic for a first year official. Exhibit an attitude of gratitude for the games you are getting, and express your willingness to pick up any turn backs that may come. In my part of the world, a new official will often get most of his or her games that way.

There are things you can do to improve your chances of picking up turn backs. Assigners are just regular people. When a problem arises, they want to solve it quickly and painlessly. Every assigner has a small list of guys who will take assignments on short notice, travel, take care of problem partners, etc.. These are the guys he calls first. You want to be on that list. So...

• Have wide open availability
• Keep your block/availability calendar up to date
• Keep your bag packed and in your vehicle
• Find out how your assigner prefers to be contacted (phone, email, IM, etc.)
• Maintain regular contact. If you know that Tuesdays are his biggest day, then maybe shoot him an email on Monday or call him Tuesday mid-morning, and ask him if he needs any help.

Keep in mind one reason assigners hesitate to assign new officials is they are an unknown quantity. So work every game the best you can. You want word to get back to your assigner that you always work hard, exhibit a professional demeanor, have the stones for the job, can fix problems, work well with partners, are reliable, and most of all...you don't generate negative phone calls.

Good luck!

This is an area issue. No one here can explain why things are the way they are in your area but the folks that live there and probably the assignor who actually assigns the games.

But I can tell you in my area depending on when you decided to become an official matters here. Summer time is when you get to prove you can work by going to camps or make yourself available. If you are going to those camps you are more likely to get games than if you are just getting licensed late in October. In my area you cannot get games until you are licensed.

Peace

Our Little Corner Of Connecticut ...
 

We have a range of games schedule that our assigner must make every attempt to fulfill. For example, a top rated varsity official is supposed to get 36 to 43 varsity assignments. At the bottom of the varsity list, a low rated varsity official should get 12 to 14 varsity games. A top rated subvarsity official should get 25 to 30 subvarsity games. At the bottom of the subvarsity list, a low rated subvarsity official should get 12 to 14 subvarsity games. Rookie officials in our new class should get 10 to 12 subvarsity games. There is a note on the range of games schedule that the number of assigned games may be affected for officials with limited availability.

Every season a few members of our executive board go over all the assignments to insure that officials are being treated fairly, and are assigned a range of games according to the posted schedule. Over the years our assigners have done an excellent job assigning games in a fair manner, consistent with the range of games schedule. There have been very few complaints. I should know, I used to be on the grievance committee.