Craziest/Embarrassing Moments

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by NCHSAA

What is everyones craziest/embarrassing moment related to officiating?

Continued a five second inbounding count into a ten second count for a violation. It did involve a technical foul, and I did apologize to the coach after the game once I pieced together what I had done.

Young official. First varsity scrimmage. Trying to impress. As lead, I thought it was a two shot foul when it was actually a one and one. After the first miss, I jumped in to get the rebound, and ended up in a pile of big guys all wanting the rebound.

Twice in my career I've called rebounding fouls where I had A1 fouling A2. Thank God for the inadvertent whistle bail out.

Girls game. As trail, counted a three point basket at the buzzer that touched a support wire above the backboard after a high bounce off the rim. I took my eyes off the ball for a split second because I thought that the girls couldn't jump high enough to cause basket interference. Everyone in the gym saw it except me and my partner.

On turnovers, followed by a fast break, changing from old trail, to new lead, while running full speed, while looking over my shoulder. Once, in an nearly empty gym, I ran into the only set of bleachers that was open opposite table side. In another game, in a full gym, I ran into a cheerleader who was a little too far into the playing court.

[stiffler3492]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

In another game, in a full gym, I ran into a cheerleader who was a little too far into the playing court.

I have no reason to think this was your fault.

On several occasions, I've had a shooting foul on B1, only to report the foul on A1, and totally forget who the foul really should be on. Luckily for me, hasn't happened to me on a big stage...mainly because I'm not at that point yet

The remedy is simple...slow down!

[Judtech]

First year officiating. Had lost a ton of weight but not updated the uniform. Yes you know what is coming. Supervisor was at the game. As I got to mid court I was ready to do the pant hike. But nooooo PG turns it over and we head back down. Player drives end line bang/bang players bump ball goes oob, I have nothing but OB call. Had to run down court like I was riding a horse to keep britches up. After game supervisor asks why I didn't have a foul either way. I said "2 reasons. 1st I thought they got there at the same time so I didn't think there was a foul" He corrected that and said "What's your second reason?" I said " My pants were falling down, and I was afraid if I whistled a foul I'd lose em.! He told em " I like your 2nd reason better!"

[Brick43]

Happened during a weekend kids league. I had forgotten my skin colored elastic I used to use on my wrist for alternating possession arrows. Searching through my bag pre-game all I could muster up was a quarter. Seemed fine until following a call I went to move the quarter from one pocket to the other. The quarter dropped and wouldn't you know it landed perfectly on it's side and began rolling down the court. My partner had already put the ball in play and play had resumed. I quickly blew my whistle and drew all eyes on me as I began to track down the quarter rolling across the floor. Safe to say I never used any item with rolling ability again.

[tref]

Wearing shorts to my 1st HS game

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

The remedy is simple...slow down!

I believe that goes for about 90% of our gaffes.

Anyway, second year, I think. Coming out of a time-out of a MS game, I administer a backcourt endline throw-in. A1 makes the throw-in to A2, who makes the lay-up in the near basket.

I blow my whistle, immediately thinking, Dammit Bainsey, you gave the ball to the wrong team! I go to my veteran partner, asking how to get out of this mess. This team just scored, because of me. Now what?

"What do you mean?" he offers. "Just ask the coach if he wants the points."

It took me a minute to realize the gaffe wasn't mine, but A2's, and I honestly hadn't seen a made shot in the wrong basket since I played pee-wee! Everyone in the building knew what had happened, except me. I felt brutally stupid, but no-one knew about it. I suppose that's a blessing.