I'm thinking about giving it up.

[DesMoines]

I get really sick of hearing about ADs and Boards trying to make a financial argument for cutting back on the number of officials on games.

As has been well documented in the last month (Louisiana thread, among others), pay rates vary. But the overall difference in a school or athletic budget between 2 and 3 officials for HS Varsity contests over the course of the season is negligible.

Assuming they don't raise the game fee, the total savings might (MIGHT) be $1,000 for 11 V double headers over the season -- that's in Iowa, if you're working at a school district that pays well. But if you're taking away the 3rd set of eyes, you darn well better be paying the other two people more or you're not going to get people who want to do it. The bottom line savings will end up being $500 or less... and you're gonna get exactly what you pay for.

Sorry for the rant, I just hate the bean counter argument.

Who posted the quote, "I don't do this for the money, but I wouldn't do it for free either..." ??? Love that.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle2

You are obviously a green reff to have an opinion like that! Experience will show you that 3 man provides way better court coverage and less things are missed. Sounds like you have an axe to grind because you may not be getting the higher games. I would suggest you change your tune about older officials. I'm not old and I treasure the time I get to spend officiating with the veteran reffs. If I ever have the choice of who will work with me in a varsity game, I'll pick the senior reffs every time! Officiating basketball isn't all about being fast up and down the court, senior reffs through their experience have learned to have a slow whistle and superior game management.

No, he works in Oregon, a state that at my last check was just as backwards and slow as starting 3-person officiating as we appear to be.

[PIAA REF]

I really think it is funny that some officials want 2 man over 3, It has nothing to do with physicality if you ref a 3-man game correctly. You will run and work for angles almost as much as you would in a 2 man game. I do think that there are some areas that try to do 3 man but it doesn't work because they are stuck in a 2 man mentality and ref that way. There is an art to working 3 man for sure.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

No, he works in Oregon, a state that at my last check was just as backwards and slow as starting 3-person officiating as we appear to be.

You would be correct on that point...no 3-man in Oregon at this time.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ThatOneRef

Seems like you guys are just getting OLD, maybe let these YOUNG refs in that can "RUN" or be "mentally" able to handle a 2 man game. (not that hard....) I don't see any reason to have 3 officials. If the TWO officials are "on the same page" (so to speak) then they should be MORE than adequate.

You're clearly an idiot, but I'll humor you anyway. It has nothing to do with my physical condition or my age or my mental state. It has to do with the angles I get and the stuff we simply can't see because 4 eyes can't watch all four corners of the court at the same time.

It has to do with providing the best possible product. There's no way in God's green earth that you can do as good a job 2-person with any partner than I can do with 2 experienced 3-person officials. It just isn't possible.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by ThatOneRef

Seems like you guys are just getting OLD, maybe let these YOUNG refs in that can "RUN" or be "mentally" able to handle a 2 man game. (not that hard....) I don't see any reason to have 3 officials. If the TWO officials are "on the same page" (so to speak) then they should be MORE than adequate.

What does running have to do with handling a 2-man game as opposed to a 3-man game? Running is the easy part to adjust to. Being on the same page applies to 2-man and 3-man and has nothing to do with the argument.

The difference between 2-man and 3-man is coverage and call accuracy, pure and simple.

[Loudwhistle2]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

What does running have to do with handling a 2-man game as opposed to a 3-man game? Running is the easy part to adjust to. Being on the same page applies to 2-man and 3-man and has nothing to do with the argument.

The difference between 2-man and 3-man is coverage and call accuracy, pure and simple.

Rich hit the nail on the head, guys an IDIOT!

[26 Year Gap]

What amazes me is that states want 3 whistles in the playoffs but schools do not realize the huge differences in coverage areas and quality. To go from 2 to 3 in a DH often means I miss some areas early in the second game. Maybe they should play with 4 players during the regular season and then use five in the playoffs.

[Texas Aggie]

I have all but quit accepting 2 person Varsity games. I'll only take them with a very strong partner.

3 years ago, I thought most HS (frosh and JV) around here would be 3 person. With the budget situation, that's not happening anytime soon, though I don't expect things to go backwards.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by ThatOneRef

Seems like you guys are just getting OLD, maybe let these YOUNG refs in that can "RUN" or be "mentally" able to handle a 2 man game. (not that hard....) I don't see any reason to have 3 officials. If the TWO officials are "on the same page" (so to speak) then they should be MORE than adequate.

Sounds like someone's a bit upset he's not getting varsity games. Think about this, Jr., going to 3 whistles makes more opportunities for younger officials.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Sounds like someone's a bit upset he's not getting varsity games. Think about this, Jr., going to 3 whistles makes more opportunities for younger officials.

Only if they don't bundle two games together.....otherwise it drops from 4 officials needed to 3 officials needed for a pair of games.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Only if they don't bundle two games together.....otherwise it drops from 4 officials needed to 3 officials needed for a pair of games.

Assuming 3 get double headers while 2 do not, you're right. That's not always the case, though. I've seen all four combinations.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by ThatOneRef

Seems like you guys are just getting OLD, maybe let these YOUNG refs in that can "RUN" or be "mentally" able to handle a 2 man game. (not that hard....) I don't see any reason to have 3 officials. If the TWO officials are "on the same page" (so to speak) then they should be MORE than adequate.

I'm about 100% sure I can referee circles around you.

[LeeBallanfant]

Originally Posted by ThatOneRef

Seems like you guys are just getting OLD, maybe let these YOUNG refs in that can "RUN" or be "mentally" able to handle a 2 man game. (not that hard....) I don't see any reason to have 3 officials. If the TWO officials are "on the same page" (so to speak) then they should be MORE than adequate.

Wow more than adequate, logically that means one official could handle the game.

[The_Rookie]

In Socal...2 man at both JV and V...2 man even in playoffs and 3 man ONLY in last 2 rounds of the PLAYOFFS.

All about the $$$$$!