How to deal with bad refs

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Trap

......these officials are well known homers.

Well known by whom? Back when I started, the jr. high schools around here almost always hired their own officials locally. It was common to give two officials their home schedule and be done with it. I have called the entire season's games for several nearby schools at one time or another, including the one closest to my home. I have been accused of calling in favor of my home school. I have been accused, just as often, of bending over backward and calling against my home school. Critiquing my own performance, I am fairly certain the latter is more of a problem.

It's all about perception.

Quote from a coach of a nearby school: (apologetically, believe it or not)

"We don't need to play against (my home school) any more with you calling. It's just not fair."

Quote from the home coach a few years earlier: (right after a close loss)

"Nobody will ever call you homer!!"

The kicker: Both quotes were by the same guy, who had transferred from one job to the other.

[coach-rec]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Well known by whom?

Well known by everyone in the league. I've heard similar comments from the two favored teams, the people that run the league, as well as other coaches and players. I found out this weekend that the main refs son plays for the team we're playing in the championship.

[grunewar]

What You See, Is What You Get (WYSIWYG)

If everyone involved knows about it,
If the league looks the other way,
If everyone still registers their child to play,
If these officials are allowed/invited back next year.
etc., etc.

Y'all deserve each other. Next!

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

Well known by everyone in the league. I've heard similar comments from the two favored teams, the people that run the league, as well as other coaches and players. I found out this weekend that the main refs son plays for the team we're playing in the championship.

How is the officiating when the 2 favored teams play each other?

[coach-rec]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

How is the officiating when the 2 favored teams play each other?

Haven't seen them play this year however in the past it's been more of a "no-call" event letting them play it out with a lot of contact and tough play.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

Haven't seen them play this year however in the past it's been more of a "no-call" event letting them play it out with a lot of contact and tough play.

Your refs like to get assigned that game because they get to nap and don't have to screw anybody.

[26 Year Gap]

Having observed all that has been posted here, there are some possible conclusions that one can come to regarding these particular officials. But, not having witnessed them, not knowing if they do games for assignors in non-rec-league-settings, not knowing if all they ever do or want to do are rec-league games, it is really difficult to compare them to officials that we know.

It sounds like your best course of action is to make sure your team has opportunities to play outside of that venue. That way you will not be as concerned about those two officials. If you ARE concerned with the officials in other venues, then maybe the officials are not the ones with the problem.

[JRutledge]

I just find it funny that I was being criticized for my comments early on in this thread and almost everyone since has come to the same conclusions or worse about this coach.

Peace

[asdf]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

I found out this weekend that the main refs son plays for the team we're playing in the championship.

What's your address? I'll send you $7.50 so you can go out an buy yourself a trophy.

Then, your life will be complete.

[coach-rec]

Originally Posted by asdf

What's your address? I'll send you $7.50 so you can go out an buy yourself a trophy.

Then, your life will be complete.

So you're saying the kids don't deserve an opportunity to compete? To acheive and win and to have it be on their merits? That's a surprising statement considering what I've seen from this board thus far.

But you're absolutely right. I volunteer my time, don't get to see my daughter some days, and deal with the issues that a "rec" league brings so that I can get a trophy. You got me nailed on that one.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

So you're saying the kids don't deserve an opportunity to compete? To acheive and win and to have it be on their merits? That's a surprising statement considering what I've seen from this board thus far.

But you're absolutely right. I volunteer my time, don't get to see my daughter some days, and deal with the issues that a "rec" league brings so that I can get a trophy. You got me nailed on that one.

Coach, I'm going to just add this. From the sounds of it, you at least believe these officials to be corrupt, and the organization itself doesn't seem much better. Frankly, you should be prepared to either take your team to a different league, or form such a league, if the league you're in won't listen to your comments.

If it's as widely known as you say, then I would be surprised if they listened.

[coach-rec]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Coach, I'm going to just add this. From the sounds of it, you at least believe these officials to be corrupt, and the organization itself doesn't seem much better. Frankly, you should be prepared to either take your team to a different league, or form such a league, if the league you're in won't listen to your comments.

If it's as widely known as you say, then I would be surprised if they listened.

From the conversation here I've dulled in my stance and wouldn't use the word "corrupt". I'm not sure what word I would use at this point. It would be somewhere between 'lack of knowledge' and 'selective calls' however I'm not sure that it's worth making an issue. I'm going to have a conversation about it with the league but considering that I've already asked if it's ok for a father to ref for his sons game and was told it has to be that way because these are the refs we have I don't think anything else will matter much either.

An underlying issue is the positioning of the refs but considering the running clock and some other factors I'm not sure that's worth going into either. I'm still interested in what people's thoughts are and have generally enjoyed the discussion.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

I've already asked if it's ok for a father to ref for his sons game

Several yrs ago, I had to ref my son's game.

Now, being an Asst Coach, Bookkeeper, Scoreboard OP, etc. in this league for yrs, and being well known, the coaches had no problems with this. I mean, would you like to have a state certified official who has a son playing or just one uncertified 18 yr old kid with little training or experience calling your game? As has been said here before, always bring your stuff!

Harder on him or his teammates. I dunno? Did I try to be fair? Absolutely.

One thing is certain - the first T I ever issued was against my son, in that game, for unsporting behavior......and his mom AND my parents were in the gym to see it.

It was a cold, quiet ride home in the car after that game....

[Adam]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

From the conversation here I've dulled in my stance and wouldn't use the word "corrupt". I'm not sure what word I would use at this point. It would be somewhere between 'lack of knowledge' and 'selective calls' however I'm not sure that it's worth making an issue. I'm going to have a conversation about it with the league but considering that I've already asked if it's ok for a father to ref for his sons game and was told it has to be that way because these are the refs we have I don't think anything else will matter much either.

An underlying issue is the positioning of the refs but considering the running clock and some other factors I'm not sure that's worth going into either. I'm still interested in what people's thoughts are and have generally enjoyed the discussion.

Fair enough. Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with an official working his son's rec game now and then, but if they're the only refs your league can get, there are problems they aren't sharing; especially if they're paying $30 / game.

My guess (and it's only a guess) is they really aren't trying to find other refs.

Other options:
1. your league has a rep among real officials for poor behavior.
2. It's a long drive from nowhere and $30 isn't enough to get good officials to drive it.
3. ????

[asdf]

Originally Posted by coach-rec

So you're saying the kids don't deserve an opportunity to compete? To acheive and win and to have it be on their merits? That's a surprising statement considering what I've seen from this board thus far.

No, I am saying that you are a clown for spending this much time accusing rec-league basketball officials of cheating.

Originally Posted by coach-rec

But you're absolutely right. I volunteer my time, don't get to see my daughter some days, and deal with the issues that a "rec" league brings so that I can get a trophy. You got me nailed on that one.

Yes, I do have you nailed on this.

What the heck other reason is there for your whining ?