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-   -   What should I do (https://forum.officiating.com/basketball/6124-what-should-i-do.html)

JRutledge Fri Nov 01, 2002 05:58pm

It is not you.
 
I just wanted you to understand that people look at their games differently and lower levels differently. I see and understand your way of thinking. Actually, I once shared that ideal. I have changed because after doing varsity for awhile I see why everyone wants to be there. The games are so much easier from a calling aspect. But what most do not understand is that the pressure raises significantly. It is totally different to have a game that only the fans in the stands see as important, than have your mistakes all over the Chicago Sun Times or on CLTV(Chicagoland Television) and Channal 2 CBS News (Had a football game that was on all three media outlets. Kind of fresh in the mind). Tommorrow I have my first playoff game in Football at one of the better programs in our state, of course it is fun but the pressure and the scrutiny will be much greater. Also the praise is great if you do well.

I kind of look at it this way, Minor League players stay in the minor leagues to get to "The Show." The same goes for officials. The hotels are better, the locker rooms are better, there are more girls and the praise is greater when you are successful. So just like anything, officials that see officials from the "show" work, that is where many want to be. I love the game like I am sure you or all of us love the game. I love it everytime I show up and blow the whistle. Why do you think I do three sports? I obviously cannot get enough. But I will admit that my pep in my step is a little quicker when I have a good varsity football or basketball game. But when I get there regardless of level I put my best foot forward. If I keep the same enthusiasm for every game that I do for certain games, I might be burned out by the end of the season. But as you can see I am an intense guy. I just rambled on about something that means little to nothing to most reading it. Gotta love officiating.

Just keep loving officiating regardless of what you are doing. That is what is <b>important</b>.

Peace

rainmaker Fri Nov 01, 2002 08:43pm

Chuck, I didn't read Larry as saying that I should see each game as MY most important game ever. Rather, he's asking us to give basic respect to the players of every game, and take THEIR investment seriously. I'd bet my bottom dollar you always do that, because that's the kind of guy you are. In fact, probably Larry's just preaching to the choir, since anyone who reads this board is likely going to be the kind of person who takes this avocation seriously, and wants to do well at everything. Jeff is agreeing with this, when he says that we should "officiate our best at all times." He simply doesn't take the lowerlevel games, since he doesn't want to give the kind of attention and care that these games deserve. That's just another form of respect.

ChuckElias Fri Nov 01, 2002 08:58pm

Juulie,

You are no doubt correct. And I'm pretty sure that I agree with Larry 99.99999999%. But his exact words were

Quote:

Every game should be view as the most important game you will ever call.

My reply reflects your comments, I think, Juules:

Quote:

I agree that you should view the game as your job and do the best job that you can in that game. View it as the most important game to the kids at that moment. They deserve your undivided attention and your best effort.

The emphasized part above is pretty much what I think you're saying Juulie. I was only taking issue with the "most important game ever" phrasing. The game is important to the kids; but that doesn't make it the most important game I will ever call. The point is miniscule and entirely besides the main -- and truly important -- point that Larry was trying to make. I only made the distinction to comment on how I attack my games.

Chuck

JRutledge Sat Nov 02, 2002 12:50am

Never completely stopped
 
Quote:

Originally posted by rainmaker
He simply doesn't take the lowerlevel games, since he doesn't want to give the kind of attention and care that these games deserve. That's just another form of respect.
Juulie, I still do lower level games. I just do not do them very much. I just do not have the time with my travel and not being all the time in one place. And honestly, I am not asked to do very many lower level games. Once you reach a certain level, you have to seek these games. With my college schedules and HS schedules it is difficult to keep doing these games.

Peace

RookieDude Sat Nov 02, 2002 09:53am

"Smallsville"
 
LarryS,

Whoa...how did you interpret "Smallsville" as meaning I was writing about his game assignments! I was jokingly refering to the AREA he lived in, and went on to state that the "kid" would probably go on to college somewhere else.

However, the discussions that followed your opinions on how an official should feel about his game assignments were very interesting.
I especially liked the honesty that JRutledge displayed in candidly stating his opinion on lower level games.
Of course the game we as officials are doing is the "most important game of the night" to the players...but not necessarily the "most important" to us. We can still display professionalism and give them a well called game without having to believe it will be the greatest game we will ever call.
Ask yourself LarryS...do you or would you look at officiating a 3rd grade girls game at the local YMCA the same as you would a JV boys game at a packed out gym awaiting
the boys Varsity game? I think you would be kidding yourself if you say you would have the same enthusiasm.
Again, of course you are going to call the girls game great...but the adrenaline will be much more for your "bigger" game!! Trust me, you'll see.

RD

JRutledge Sat Nov 02, 2002 10:06am

Rookie Dude
 
I understood your "Smallsville" comment, mainly because I grew up in a small community. The town I lived in is a college town and all the communities around it are farm communities. So I always have an affection for small communities. I live in a larger area now, but still like the slow pace of those "one stop light" communities.

Peace

LarryS Sat Nov 02, 2002 12:47pm

Rookie Dude,

Where I grew up, that term was used for meaningless and unimportant. Thus the confusion.

I have worked games between undefeated cross-town rivals in front of standing room only crowds. Also worked those YMCA games for 3rd graders. Believe it or not, I approached them and prepared for them exactly the same way. I can also honestly say that my adrenaline level was the same for both games. Maybe it is because I have a high-pressure real job, but knowing it is a "big-game" and seeing a large crowd didn't phase me. And in both cases I didn't even hear the crowd.

My wife keeps telling me I'm weird and different...maybe she is right (don't tell her I said that :D)

RookieDude Sat Nov 02, 2002 01:14pm

Confused
 
Quote:

Originally posted by LarryS
JRutledge,

This is apparently a continuation of the week I have been having at work, just can't seem to communicate well. :)

I understand exaclty what you are saying. I even understand how you approach you games. I'm trying to say that for me, given my personal make-up, if I am not fired-up at the prospect of doing something it is not going to get my best effort. That is probably why I have "trained" myself in how I approach projects/games.

I have been doing this a far shorter time than you, and you are doing games at levels I will never reach. If you are putting forth your best effort regardless of how you view the game, great...I want partners like you and always try to be that kind of partner. I may be able to change as time goes by. I know I am better this year than I was last year and am working hard to do better next game than I did last night. I will admit that when necessary I can get myself ready for a game faster this year. I'm not as comfortable when the game starts, but once in the flow I don't find myself struggling or have problems. Maybe that is what you are talking about.

In my limited experience, when I had partners that viewed the game as something that had to do but didn't want to do, it showed in their mechanics, their comments during breaks in the action, etc. Of course, it may also have been their partner dragging them down :D

I guess I am the one confused...when you stated you had "limited experience", had been doing this "a far shorter time" and "doing games at levels I will never reach" I wouldn't have dreamed you would be officiating in front of "standing room only crowds" against "cross town rivals"....Thus the analogy of the 3rd graders and the JV boys games.
Sooooo, if you can honestly say you approach each game the same...good for you...but I must say, your wife seems to have pegged you correctly. ;)

RD

LarryS Sat Nov 02, 2002 02:18pm

RD,
No problem, we don't know each other...confusion is probably inevitable.

limited experience = about 100 games

The cross-town rivals with standing room only crowd - I was supposed to be in the other gym but there was a no-show. I had worked with the other official in that game and one of the coaches had seen me work so I changed gyms. Must have done OK becuase I have that game on my schedule and both teams should be as good as last year (barring injury and problems with No Pass-No Play).

I think JRutledge does college and I have no desire to move to that level, high school varsity is fine with me (besides, my real job won't allow me to take the time for a higher level).

And I prefer to think of myself as special, not weird or different :).



[Edited by LarryS on Nov 2nd, 2002 at 01:25 PM]

theboys Mon Nov 04, 2002 03:32pm

Hey, Larry.

For what its worth, you can call any of my games any time. Just don't kick me out until the 2nd half, if possible!


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