Originally Posted by KJUmp (Post 814648)

. . . thats me.....to a T . . . I chose to just work JV. . . . I'm a member of NASO, I order the current NFHS Rule Book and Case Book each year, take practice tests whenever I can get access to them, read Referee, watch NFHS on-line video and spend a lot of time here trying to learn and stay abreast with rules, case book plays, interps, philosophies, mechanics, etc. I do know that I'm a better referee than I was three years ago when I first started and will continue to work hard to become better....for no other reason than my own sense of professionalism and what I feel I owe my assignors and the schools who pay me to work their JV games.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells (Post 814510)

There's a third category,those who are competent, content, and comfortable at that level..

Originally Posted by Snaqwells (Post 814510)

There's a third category,those who are competent, content, and comfortable at that level..

Originally Posted by amusedofficial (Post 814725)

Absolutely There are some who do it for the fun of it, and actually prefer a JV schedule rather than the commitment to V games, and which often requires later nights and less control over how far you travel. This is an avocation, not a vocation; sometimes far away basketball games at night are not compatible with one's occupation.

Others just don't think the "prestige" and extra 25 bucks is worth the aggravations associated with coaches who think they're the next Bobby Knight and fans who don't realize that the vast majority of basketball games involve average to sub-average teams, and, while the participants deserve a well-officiated game in which the players decide the outcome, the bell curve of the importance of the results peaks in the third quarter and approaches zero the minute you walk out the door.

Reffing is on the cusp of athletics, and in athletics you're supposed to aim for the highest level of competition possible. But there are very competent officials doing JV basketball who are neither auditioning nor fading and who are more skilled than some V officials.

Originally Posted by JRutledge (Post 814791)

Usually in my experience the official that claims he does not want to do varsity has been not given the chance in the first place.

Originally Posted by tref (Post 814798)

And/or he cannot pass the test :eek:

Originally Posted by bob jenkins (Post 814805)

The testing requirements (here) are the same.

Originally Posted by tref (Post 814809)

We have trainee status - failed, see ya next year
Provisional status - passed but didnt score high enough to work varsity
Passed - eligible to work all levels

If an official doesnt take the test they can sign up for all the freshman/sophmore games, in their own neighborhood, that they can handle.

Originally Posted by amusedofficial (Post 814725)

Others just don't think the "prestige" and extra 25 bucks is worth the aggravations associated with coaches who think they're the next Bobby Knight and fans who don't realize that the vast majority of basketball games involve average to sub-average teams, and, while the participants deserve a well-officiated game in which the players decide the outcome, the bell curve of the importance of the results peaks in the third quarter and approaches zero the minute you walk out the door.

Originally Posted by ref2coach (Post 814880)

Nights with a non-competitive, long commute Varsity game makes Me wish I had worked a local JV set.

Originally Posted by bowlingref (Post 814907)

I was 49 when I got back into officiating. I also had veterans helping me and giving suggestions. Lots of help. One thing about the officiating deal is when the veterans suggest something to you. It is not a do as I do deal,it is a do as I say do deal. I go to several games a year with out the whistle and I see the guys that have been telling me what do, doing the same things or worse.

Originally Posted by Freddy (Post 814480)

Would you agree that sublevel officials fall primarily into two categories? 1) those "on their way up and eager", and 2) those "on their way down and out.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells (Post 814510)

There's a third category,those who are competent, content, and comfortable at that level.

Originally Posted by BillyMac (Post 814978)

I'm neither on my way up, nor on my way down. I'm a veteran, journeyman official. I chose to work junior varsity games for many reasons. If I were to just work my varsity schedule, I would only be working a few nights a week. By choosing to allow my assignment commissioner to assign me junior varsity games, I can be out working games several nights a week, working either varsity, or junior varsity games. It's better than sitting home watching basketball on television. I help out my assignment commissioner by accepting these games. Junior varsity coaches enjoy seeing a veteran official in their games. I like working with young officials, acting as a teacher, and a mentor. I enjoy the game, the kids, my partners, etc.

I also chose to work Catholic middle school games on the weekends, for many of the same reasons.

One of my goals is to be healthy enough when I retire from my day job, in several years, to make myself available to my assignment commissioner to work 3:30 p.m. middle school games, and 4:00 p.m. high school freshman games. Having a veteran , journeyman official in those games can only be a win, win, situation. Good for the players, good for the coaches, good for young, rookie partners, and good for my assignment commissioner. And, of course, good for me.