Amongst the fans

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by tref

"You know, I'd like to just watch a game as fan sometimes. I don't need you explaining calls to me, just let me root for my team."

Being an official has ruined my life as a basketball fan. Every time I go to a game in person, or watch one on television, I'm not watching the players, I'm watching the officials. This even happens when I go to UCONN men's, or women's game, and I'm not even a college official. I've had friends, or family, ask me, "Hey BillyMac, wasn't that a great pass?", to which I reply, "What pass? Did you see that official close down on the three point shot?".

When I eventually give up officiating, will I ever be able to go back to being a fan? Please tell me that I can go back. Someone? Please?

[BillyMac]

Stayed for the boys end of a boys/girls varsity doubleheader. Small Christian school with not a lot of room in the bleachers, so I sat among a group of fans, who knew that I had officiated the first game.

Shot goes up and hangs on the rim for a split second before dropping into basket. Defensive player had touched the bottom of the net as the ball was on the ring. Fan asks me, "Isn't that goaltending?", which led to a quick, friendly, discussion about the difference between goaltending, and basket interference.

A few minutes later, a player is about to score on a breakaway layup, and a defender grabs his opponent's jersey from behind. As the players are directed away from the free throw lane for the two free throws, another fan asks me, "Why did they call a technical foul?", which led to a quick, friendly, discussion about intentional fouls, and the penalty for such.

This was at the same site where I had a fan ejected two weeks ago. Go figure?

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Fan asks me, "Isn't that goaltending?", which led to a quick, friendly, discussion about the difference between goaltending, and basket interference.

So Billy...did you tell the friendly fan that the official kicked the call?

Or did the official indeed kick the call?

That's the problem with sitting with fans...they are going to look to the official in the stands to legitimize their complaints...be it by our "friendly explanations" or even by our facial expressions.

IMO...we have to be very careful not to throw our "partners" under the bus, even with a friendly explanation or frown on a call.

But, I'm sure you know that...just throwing it out here.

[26 Year Gap]

My daughter played field hockey, so I was a totally clueless fan. For 4 years.

[Loudwhistle2]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

My daughter played field hockey, so I was a totally clueless fan. For 4 years.

Sounds like me and volleyball as far as rules go, thank God she only played for two years. Sheer torture for me to watch volleyball games in about 50 ways!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

Did you tell the friendly fan that the official kicked the call?

No. The ball dropped down from the rim into the net at about the same time the net was barely touched. Since the ball went in the basket, I would have passed on it also.

[Terrance "TJ"]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Being an official has ruined my life as a basketball fan. Every time I go to a game in person, or watch one on television, I'm not watching the players, I'm watching the officials. This even happens when I go to UCONN men's, or women's game, and I'm not even a college official. I've had friends, or family, ask me, "Hey BillyMac, wasn't that a great pass?", to which I reply, "What pass? Did you see that official close down on the three point shot?".

When I eventually give up officiating, will I ever be able to go back to being a fan? Please tell me that I can go back. Someone? Please?

I'm an observant official when it comes to the game of basketball with two teams involved that I don't personally cheer for. But you give me my hs/juco alma mater, give me my big four year schools I cheer for (big time UConn fan..both sides, TTU) and I switch off the official in me and become a fan again. That's why I've talked to my area director about when I reach varsity level (though we as an association don't call local conf. games) that I will not ever call the LJ/Lamar games at _any_ level, I just can't get that part of my past HS exp. out of me, so I know that it will hinder my ability to officiate properly.

So, I think it can be done Billy...but will probably just depend on the person.

[APG]

Originally Posted by Terrance "TJ"

I'm an observant official when it comes to the game of basketball with two teams involved that I don't personally cheer for. But you give me my hs/juco alma mater, give me my big four year schools I cheer for (big time UConn fan..both sides, TTU) and I switch off the official in me and become a fan again. That's why I've talked to my area director about when I reach varsity level (though we as an association don't call local conf. games) that I will not ever call the LJ/Lamar games at _any_ level, I just can't get that part of my past HS exp. out of me, so I know that it will hinder my ability to officiate properly.

So, I think it can be done Billy...but will probably just depend on the person.

I'm the complete opposite. While I can still cheer for my teams, I cheer for the officiating team first meaning if a tough call that's correct has to go against my team, I'd rather that happen then the wrong call.

Love the next day when my friends are *itching and moaning about getting screwed on a call against one of our teams and I have to set them straight.

[Terrance "TJ"]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

I'm the complete opposite. While I can still cheer for my teams, I cheer for the officiating team first meaning if a tough call that's correct has to go against my team, I'd rather that happen then the wrong call.

Love the next day when my friends are *itching and moaning about getting screwed on a call against one of our teams and I have to set them straight.

Agreed. I don't become one of 'those' fans, I've hardly ever yelled at refs my entire time being involved in any sport. I grew up with a ref in the house and from early on had that respect for refs anytime I played. This past UConn game against OU, I think there was a call against Maya Moore and I agreed with it. I'm just able to turn off watching the officials as well as watching the game like I was officiating. Shoulda been a tad bit clearer on that.... *gets ready for the harping on this team pick of mine*
Since both the football and basketball seasons started this year, I've yelled at a ref only once. It was during a Cowboys game and they totally screwed or missed a penalty that would've helped Dallas and probably the outcome of the game. The person I was watching with basically dropped their jaw and looked at me like are you really yelling at the officials?

[APG]

Originally Posted by Terrance "TJ"

Agreed. I don't become one of 'those' fans, I've hardly ever yelled at refs my entire time being involved in any sport. I grew up with a ref in the house and from early on had that respect for refs anytime I played. This past UConn game against OU, I think there was a call against Maya Moore and I agreed with it. I'm just able to turn off watching the officials as well as watching the game like I was officiating. Shoulda been a tad bit clearer on that.... *gets ready for the harping on this team pick of mine*
Since both the football and basketball seasons started this year, I've yelled at a ref only once. It was during a Cowboys game and they totally screwed or missed a penalty that would've helped Dallas and probably the outcome of the game. The person I was watching with basically dropped their jaw and looked at me like are you really yelling at the officials?

I can pretty much say I watch just about all contests through the eyes of an official. And that's not just basketball but other sports as well. DVR makes it that much more fun/easier, because I'll go back and watch the positioning of the officials, watch plays in slow motion, etc. I actually wish we had a poster here with a capture card so we could review more plays as a board. I know one other football officiating board I frequent has a poster who does that, and it makes for great discussion. *I'm rambling here*

I can say that I don't really watch any more sports as a normal "fan" but I'm glad I don't. I enjoy watching games now so much more now rather than whining about every perceived miss call.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Being an official has ruined my life as a basketball fan. Every time I go to a game in person, or watch one on television, I'm not watching the players, I'm watching the officials. This even happens when I go to UCONN men's, or women's game, and I'm not even a college official. I've had friends, or family, ask me, "Hey BillyMac, wasn't that a great pass?", to which I reply, "What pass? Did you see that official close down on the three point shot?".

When I eventually give up officiating, will I ever be able to go back to being a fan? Please tell me that I can go back. Someone? Please?

I too have been struck with this affliction. In surfing games on TV, my first focus is who is on game.

At our local high school, I'm now sitting on visitor's side in a corner far far away from the madding crowd. On a rare occasion when I'm with the parents, "was that a foul?" is the mantra directed at me.It's nails on a chalkboard when all the cliches come out "call it both ways" at the top of the list.

I will admit however, under my breath, watching my son's games and having some pretty green freshman refs, that I revert to being a dad. Just a momentary lapse I promise you.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by fullor30

I will admit however, under my breath, watching my son's games and having some pretty green freshman refs, that I revert to being a dad. Just a momentary lapse I promise you.

I have had this experience as well, or at least part of it. I now keep my mouth shut.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by fullor30

I too have been struck with this affliction. In surfing games on TV, my first focus is who is on game.

At our local high school, I'm now sitting on visitor's side in a corner far far away from the madding crowd. On a rare occasion when I'm with the parents, "was that a foul?" is the mantra directed at me.It's nails on a chalkboard when all the cliches come out "call it both ways" at the top of the list.

I will admit however, under my breath, watching my son's games and having some pretty green freshman refs, that I revert to being a dad. Just a momentary lapse I promise you.

Originally Posted by mbyron

I have had this experience as well, or at least part of it. I now keep my mouth shut.

I believe judtech has a 12-step program he can refer you to.