Varsity blowouts, concentration, and timing

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by BigJoe
Oh by the way a reach is illegal use of the hands by a defender going for the ball from a bad defensive position!!!! Rule 4-19 Art. 20

????

Can't seem to find the word "reach".

Can't seem to find R4-19 Art.20.

[Rich]

Originally posted by Tim C
I believe that Rich works in an area of the country where you, as an offical, sell your own skills and develop your OWN schedule of games.

There are several areas in the US where there is not an "association" or an "assigning commissioner" . . . you get your own games.

HOWEVER, Rich is a VERY successful offical in other sports and I am sure that he is being his own worst clinic in this thread.

Thanks, Tee, for your confidence

I've worked varsity schedules in three states where games were assigned out of an association and you had to earn a position on a varsity staff. Where I'm at now, I have to hustle my own games via athletic directors and conference commissioners (athletic directors assign all nonconference home games and conference commissioners assign all conference games).

It is a fair question: Did I seek out and accept varsity assignments too quickly? The honest truth is that I don't think so -- Tee is right that I am a harsh critic of myself and that might not paint me in the best light on an Internet discussion board. I'm OK with that, unless there are athletic directors and conference commissioners lurking that will hold such brutal honesty against me

The subvarsity officials I've worked with here, to be quite honest, are, well...... I partially attribute this to a weak association system here -- an official does not have to belong to an official's association since the association has no games to assign anyway. Other places I've lived, training was given through associations, assignments were made through associations, and varsity promotion and assignments were made through associations that were formed by and for the state office.

Most JV and frosh games here are covered by someone who plunks down $16 to get a state license and then receives not an iota of officiating training -- they get the assignments cause they are available at the right time and most of the time live in the town where the game is located.

The really good officials -- the ones I want to work with -- all work varsity ball, or are scratching the surface of working varsity ball.

I posted the original situation because I thought some of the veterans would be able to give me some reminders on how to slow myself down and turn this into a learning experience for some lesser experienced officials. But I did call basketball for a dozen years before my injury-induced "vacation" (I broke a foot working baseball) so I don't think that lack of experience is the problem. Maybe lack of recent experience, but I'm not sure I'd get any of that working down a couple of levels. Without challenges.......

Rich

[Edited by Rich Fronheiser on Dec 23rd, 2002 at 06:46 PM]

[BigJoe]

JR,

I learn from this forum everytime I log on. That is the reason I participate. I enjoy kidding around as much as the next guy. My point is that some people don't know when you are kidding and when you are putting someone down. I respect the opinions expressed here by all officials and coaches.
I was joking when quoting a rule reference for "reaching". It is no more a foul than "over the back" is. I sometimes use the term because that's what the kids understand, right or wrong.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by BigJoe
My point is that some people don't know when you are kidding and when you are putting someone down.

Definitely gotta start using more smilies!

Valid observation and point,BigJoe. How about doing it this way? If you think that I'm putting you down,please assume that I am kidding.If you see something like ,you'll know I'm serious.

We do a fair amount of kidding on here,interspersed with some great arguments.We do have fun.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Definitely gotta start using more smilies!

Valid observation and point,BigJoe. How about doing it this way? If you think that I'm putting you down,please assume that I am kidding.If you see something like ,you'll know I'm serious.

We do a fair amount of kidding on here,interspersed with some great arguments.We do have fun.

Face it, JR, he out-humored your own very dry humor. Great call, BigJoe! You get the Post of the Week Award!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by rainmaker
[/B]

Face it, JR, he out-humored your own very dry humor. Great call, BigJoe! You get the Post of the Week Award! [/B][/QUOTE]Is grovelling optional?

[ScottParks]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Face it, JR, he out-humored your own very dry humor. Great call, BigJoe! You get the Post of the Week Award! [/B]

Is grovelling optional? [/B][/QUOTE]I thought it was mandatory

[Andy]

Originally posted by BigJoe
Rich,

The best advice I can give to help slow down after the foul call is to work on your preliminary signals before you go to the table. If it is a "normal" call, one that doesn't require it to be sold, I step towards the play and verbalize right there what I will be reporting to the table in a few seconds. For instance, A1 with the ball, is hacked by B1 attempting a steal. I blow the whistle at the same time arm goes up with closed fist. I birddog towards the offending player, probably get withing 5-10 feet of the player depending on how far away I was at the time of the foul but definitely step into the play. While stepping towards the play I will say out loud what I have. #23 blue with a reach and will make the proper Fed signal. I will then verbalize what will happen as a result. Whites ball and point to the spot or White #12 will shoot 1 and 1 or double bonus whatever the case may be. This takes a total of five seconds and everyone in the gym knows what you have before you go to the table. It is really important that your partner knows what you have so he can be positioning himself and the players to continue the game when you come back. I am over 40 and I can forget the number from the spot of the foul to the reporting area. By doing this small thing you will reinforce your call in your mind before going to the table. Nothing looks worse than an official sorting through the players while in the reporting area looking for a number and who it is on. When you need to really sell a call you will do the same thing after you have made the block charge signal, etc. I hope this helps you out a little. I was taught that when I started 10 years ago and it has served me well. I teach that to all my new officials as well.

Keep 'em straight up!

I'll echo BigJoe here. Going through the preliminary at the spot of the foul accomplishes two things:

- Slows you down and solidifies the information in your mind
- Communicates to your partner(s) what you have and how to prepare for the next action (free throws, inbound, etc.)

I try not to say the shooters number to my partner because that will invariably be the number I report instead of the player that committed the foul. Part of my pregame is asking my partner(s) to help me pick up shooters on foul calls.

Using the preliminary mechanics should help slow you down and get the timing more consistent.

[DownTownTonyBrown]

I'm gonna hang with BigJoe on this one. We all develop our own style. Personally, "reach" or "over-the-back" aren't in my vocabulary but they are terms the players understand (even if big dog clinicians can't understand them). No funky signals are allowed and the proper words should be used in front of the table/coach. Suggest striving to use the proper words all of the time -players can figure them out too!

But what I do want to agree with Joe on, and Andy and Mikesears etc., is the mechanics of reporting a foul. And these mechanics (just like in baseball, Rich) definitely establish your focus until it becomes automatic. If you follow the mechanics as outlined in the Official's Manual, Sections 230 & 231, you will find a definite pattern of Hustle, Stop, Hustle, Stop, Hustle, Stop.
[list=1][*]Hustle to be in the proper location to make the call. Blow your whistle and raise your hand to make the call.
[*]Stop and verbally inform the player (Stating Shirt color and then Number) of his infraction. Having not moved yet, now communicate with your partner what will happen next.
[*]Hustle around the players (never through them) to the reporting area.
[*]Stop and make eye contact with the bookkeeper and make your report to the table.
[*]Hustle back to the appropriate spot for the ensuing action.
[*]Stop and signal your partner that you are ready to proceed.[/list=1]

For me this regimen sets the pace and keeps me focused where I need to be focused. As you well know, once your whistle is blown, all playing action stops and nothing is going to begin again until your are ready. DON'T HURRY. Let your pace come to you. Relaxing will likely let your natural pace return.

As for the dork that asked if you had ever played ball, I'm with Mark, "Yes I have. Have you?" [smile]