Decision to run clock - opnions?
 

I'd like opinions on this: 5th grade tournament game. Both coaches been on us and their players all game. Players frustrated with coaches and eachother (teammates). And their coaches general lack of decor rubs off on players. Nothing out of control. Just not a good productive environment for 11 year olds, at least from my persepctive. With 1:51 left in 4Q of 19 point ball game, there is tie up and both players nearly get in tussel. We handle it and on my way down the court I tell the clock operator to run the clock the rest of the way.

Losing coach confronts me after the game. Upset but not overly confrontational. I tell him that I respect his opinion. BUt that I deemd it in the best interest of the players and game to run the clock for the last 1:51. Nothing good was going to happen in the last 1:51 and the outcome of the game had been decided. He says I have no right to do that.

Was I out of line? Or is that a legitimate decision for a ref to make if he deems the situations warrants.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I would not do this unless there was a league policy. Almost getting into a fight is not the same as being in a fight. I would have just officiated the last couple of minutes and got out. And around here kids at that level play 6 minute quarters that I am aware of, so the game is not lasting that long in the first place. We cannot prevent every problem by shortening the games. You might even create some problems instead.

Peace

Unless there's a provision in this league to do so, you were in the wrong. There's nothing that gives us the power to unilaterally decide to have a running clock.

The only options you would have here is to declare a forfeit or the better option would be to ask both coach's if they wouldn't mind finishing out the final 1:30 with a running clock (this is all assuming there isn't some league rules giving you the power to decide running clock or not).

Did you tee them up? Because, if you didn't, that is why they were on you the whole game.

+1 I'll have a FT shooting contest before I'll allow coaches and players to get on the refs in a game with 11 y/o kids. You'd be surprised how quickly the environment becomes "productive."

The others who said you shouldn't have done this without a rules reference are absolutely right. Those kid's parents paid to have their kids play in games which have a certain amount of playing time. When you arbitrarily shorten that, you are "ripping them off". OK - that's harsh but I think you get the idea.

Of course, using that reasoning, if a game goes into OT (heaven forbid), the parents should pay the league more money. And you should get more, too.

Thanks guys. I knew I probably should not have done that. The rules sheet for the tourney did say (in bold): All referee decisions are final. So that might technically saved me. But still not a good move by me.

There's always more than one way to skin a cat. Here, most youth/wreck leagues have a 3 T rule... 3 Ts on one team = ballgame.

Sounds like more than 3 situations presented itself.

I would not shorten the game without a league rule. Did you T any of the coaches? Or warn them?

we live. we call ball games. and we learn from our mistakes

Why once a coach exhibits lack of decor, the next thing you know the players want to wear inappropriately colored headbands and swooshes on their socks. We gots to nip this lack of decor in the bud.

When did sock become part of the uniform?

2 or 3 years ago in NCAA-W. ;)

Ahhh now I see why I didn't know & I aint mad about it one bit!

Sock It To Me ...
 

Hopefully this won't filter down to the high school level.

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