Try operating the game clock sometime...

[Tee]

We are having a tourney locally where the people putting on the tournament choose to use Div 1 and WNBA officials. For whatever reason, I ended up doing the clock. I have to question the wisdom of this move, as my experience is limited to explaining to the normal scorekeepers what I need from them and occasionally setting the clock when no one was handy.

It is quite an eye opening experience! I am sure many of you have done this job, but for those of you who have not- try it sometime. It will give you a fresh appreciation of those who do it regularly.

I found myself with little time to watch the ballgame or the high quality refs- I had to concentrate on doing my job- and I was not always perfect I must say.

I will be much nicer to my table crew in the future. And I think it will help me be a better official as well.

On a related note- the game awareness of the officials was superb- I know this because if I neglected to turn on/off the clock or change the team fouls in a timely manner, I got a look, or a whistle on a couple of occasions (in 2 games). They also consistintly knew the shot clock particulars and where it ought to be when my fellow table partner messed it up. They were perhaps a little more aware then normal, as they relised they were dealing with an inexperienced crew, but nevertheless, it was impressive.