Why We Don't Diss

[Loudwhistle]

Simply put, you never know who is listening, so try to keep it upbeat. If the game you work isn't up to a certain level, leave it with "those things happen." It's still basketball.[/QUOTE]

+1 and keep in mind that whatever level you are officiating, the game is a big deal to the kids that are participating no matter what the level. Lower level games are good places to practice your own personal weak areas.

[26 Year Gap]

And no thread on a topic like this is wasted. Sometimes you get a chance to work on things... like the ignore list.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle

Lower level games are good places to practice your own personal weak areas.

Plus, you see odd rule situations in these low level games that usually only happen in these low level games, and you learn how to handle them, until one day, low and behold, you have the same situation, a once in a career occurrence, of this odd play in a high school varsity game, and you're now sure that you know how to handle it.

I like my middle school games. When I fully retire from my day job, I hope that I'm healthy enough to work afternoon middle school, and freshman, games. I'll probably be too old to keep up with those high school varsity whippersnappers, unless Connecticut decides to step up into the 21st century lose it's "Land Of The Two Person Game" label.

[JRutledge]

Why does anyone care what someone else does not want to do?

This is not up for a vote. If someone does not like working a level they do not have to work those games. So why would you justify what you do?

Peace

[Adam]

How was that a part of this discussion? I must have missed it.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

How was that a part of this discussion? I must have missed it.

Did you read the last sentence of the OP?

Peace

[ref3808]

I got into officiating basketball when I was 54 years old. I don't have visions of exciting tournament assignments and progressing through the ranks until I reach some defined pinnacle of officiating.

I enjoy my involvement in a sport I love, but wasn't skilled enough to play at an advanced level. I am motivated to keep myself in shape and I get some exercise during the season that keeps me reasonably fit, and I pick up some money that helps with the occassional unexpected bill or allows me to spend on something I really want but don't need, or hand a few dollars to my daughter when she needs new tires on her car but can't quite see her way to pay the bill.

I learn something from each assignment, mainly because I try to remember two or three things from each game and either read the book to see if I handled it correctly, or change the scenario somewhat to challenge my knowledge of the rules.

Sure there's well played games and poorly played games, but there's no where I'd rather be. And I would never make a negative comment to anyone about a game experience.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ref3808

I got into officiating basketball when I was 54 years old. I don't have visions of exciting tournament assignments and progressing through the ranks until I reach some defined pinnacle of officiating.

I enjoy my involvement in a sport I love, but wasn't skilled enough to play at an advanced level. I am motivated to keep myself in shape and I get some exercise during the season that keeps me reasonably fit, and I pick up some money that helps with the occassional unexpected bill or allows me to spend on something I really want but don't need, or hand a few dollars to my daughter when she needs new tires on her car but can't quite see her way to pay the bill.

I learn something from each assignment, mainly because I try to remember two or three things from each game and either read the book to see if I handled it correctly, or change the scenario somewhat to challenge my knowledge of the rules.

Sure there's well played games and poorly played games, but there's no where I'd rather be. And I would never make a negative comment to anyone about a game experience.

That is all great and wonderful, but why do you need to tell us this? If you like working a level, work that level. I am sure the vast majority are not going to care what you work anyway. I know I do not care what others think about the levels I do. I also work 3 sports, I do this because when I leave my house I want to enjoy the game. I just think too many here worry what others think of the level they are working. If you really enjoy working middle school, grade school or even Men's leagues, work them and enjoy them. You do not have to try to convince others why you are there.

Peace

[deecee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

That is all great and wonderful, but why do you need to tell us this? If you like working a level, work that level. I am sure the vast majority are not going to care what you work anyway. I know I do not care what others think about the levels I do. I also work 3 sports, I do this because when I leave my house I want to enjoy the game. I just think too many here worry what others think of the level they are working. If you really enjoy working middle school, grade school or even Men's leagues, work them and enjoy them. You do not have to try to convince others why you are there.

Peace

thats the point i was trying to make - much better said rut.

[RobbyinTN]

I love doing MS games and will take any that do not interfere with a HS assignment. It is fun to be around those kids who are in the learning phase of the game and although it is a 2 man crew here, it is a fairly light workout.

Robby

[Bad Zebra]

I enjoy them too. The gyms are smaller. It's loud, and the parents are still of the opinion that their kids are serious D1 prospects so they cheer and scream accordingly. Since Florida is really a HS football state, the middle school games sometimes have more fans than HS basketball games.

[vbzebra]

[QUOTE=BillyMac;715126]Plus, you see odd rule situations in these low level games that usually only happen in these low level games, and you learn how to handle them, until one day, low and behold, you have the same situation, a once in a career occurrence, of this odd play in a high school varsity game, and you're now sure that you know how to handle it.QUOTE]

Amen!!!
Actually happened to me last week. something came up in a middle school game, same thing came up in a varsity game 2 days later, and we got it right!!! (thank god, b/c it was my first as the "R" in a varsity game, so I'm REALLY glad i had the experience in the middle school game and got that
eff-er right in the varsity game!)