Why We Don't Diss

[stiffler3492]

I do a good amount of middle school games. Just had two fantastic MS boys games today.

What I've found is that no matter the level, I can stay sharp. I've done every level from 3rd grade girls to JV boys. A foul is still a foul.

Then there's the old adage of "They're giving their best, why shouldn't they get our best?" If some official is going to half *** a middle school assignment because they think they're too good for it, they can hang up their whistle for good for all I care.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

I do a good amount of middle school games. Just had two fantastic MS boys games today.

What I've found is that no matter the level, I can stay sharp. I've done every level from 3rd grade girls to JV boys. A foul is still a foul.

Then there's the old adage of "They're giving their best, why shouldn't they get our best?" If some official is going to half *** a middle school assignment because they think they're too good for it, they can hang up their whistle for good for all I care.

So are you saying that you will have to run as fast and as hard with Middle school kids as you would a HS Freshman game?

Let us not get silly here.

Peace

[stiffler3492]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

So are you saying that you will have to run as fast and as hard with Middle school kids as you would a HS Freshman game?

Let us not get silly here.

Peace

When 2 of the kids I had today are at least 6'3" and are faster now than I ever was...yeah

Seriously, though, of course not. I didn't break much of a sweat today. But that doesn't at all mean that I'm lackidaisical (sp?) out there.

[Amesman]

Face it, at some point, doing MS and even kid rec games falls under the "giving back to the game" category (even though, ironically, you're probably still taking $omething from it). The kids are trying their best, so they still deserve our best -- physically, attitude-wise and mentally focused. If it doesn't make you sweat, that's great. (Some officials it will make sweat and, well, bully for them if they're giving it a good go.)

I never thought how much I was sweating or how far/fast I was running was the point of officiating (a needed element, perhaps but not the sole or most important criteria). There is still "good" basketball to be seen and officiated, whether it's HS V, frosh A or B, MS, Princeton or Dean Smith's four-corner stall.

All of it deserves conscientious effort and should be appreciated for the earnestness of the participants ... which basically loops back to the message in the OP. IMHO

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Amesman

Face it, at some point, doing MS and even kid rec games falls under the "giving back to the game" category (even though, ironically, you're probably still taking $omething from it). The kids are trying their best, so they still deserve our best -- physically, attitude-wise and mentally focused. If it doesn't make you sweat, that's great. (Some officials it will make sweat and, well, bully for them if they're giving it a good go.)

I never thought how much I was sweating or how far/fast I was running was the point of officiating (a needed element, perhaps but not the sole or most important criteria). There is still "good" basketball to be seen and officiated, whether it's HS V, frosh A or B, MS, Princeton or Dean Smith's four-corner stall.

All of it deserves conscientious effort and should be appreciated for the earnestness of the participants ... which basically loops back to the message in the OP. IMHO

I worked a middle school game last year. Filled in for a guy who was working a state football final. I worked it as hard and the exact same way I do a varsity game. Personally, I know no other way. I sweat just as much as I normally do.