Your Partner
 

My season kicks off next week...looking at my schedule I am not working with any of the Rated 1 officials (We use 1 to 5) 1 Elite and 5 Rookie. The ones do all Varsity games. This does not make them available to work with younger officials like myself to show us the ropes.

Is this a problem?

No.

Sounds like you have some 2s, 3s, and 4s who can help the 5s...

Why would this be a "problem?" Go watch them work. Ask them questions. Ask them to give you pointers or watch you work.

I'm sure some of those other officials have something to teach you too. Not everyone can be a one.

We use the same rating system in our association,( but not the term "Elite" for our 1's.. They're just the V group)

Our "1's" work mostly with our "2's" and "3's", giving them a bit more advanced training ( Game and man management, etc.) towards the goal of working Varsity.

The 2's, 3's and some of our 4's work with the 5's on the basics; mechanics, floor positioning, PCA..

To a man/woman, they are always willing to answer questions, game sits, etc. from anyone in the group. It just may take a little time to hear back from them.

You can learn more from officials by watching them work then them working with you. As I have said before to you it is sometimes very hard to watch you do things when working with someone. They are too busy working and calling the game and cannot see everything you are doing. I do not see the problem with who you are working with. You can learn from anyone, not just the top officials.

Peace

And, sometimes you learn what not to do. ;)

Don't just adopt everything you see a "1" do in a game.

Makes sense..one other thing when I am on the court as a young official I have MORE confidence knowing that I am working with a experienced official who is solid..Just in case we have a mess up..they will help untangle it :)