1st 3 man game tomorrow night.

[jeremy341a]

I am going with a couple of verterns from our association tomorrow night. They are going to allow me to work the JV game 3 man with them. I have done alot of reading on the subject, especially the roations. However that doesn't mean I can actually apply what I have read. Any advice on the roations and how to keep them straight? Either way I am excitied to be able to work with some veterens as I'm sure they will give me a ton of great advice related not only to 3 man but also to officiating in general.

[tomegun]

If you have never worked a three-man game, and you are going to be doing so for the first time in a JV game, I don't think that is fair to the kids. Even though it is JV, it is important to the players.

Have you worked scrimmages three-man at least? Doing a lot of reading on the subject is not enough IMO.

[jeremy341a]

Originally Posted by tomegun

If you have never worked a three-man game, and you are going to be doing so for the first time in a JV game, I don't think that is fair to the kids. Even though it is JV, it is important to the players.

Have you worked scrimmages three-man at least? Doing a lot of reading on the subject is not enough IMO.

I have never worked 3 man. I agree it is important to the players and will do my best. Do you think 3 man with two vets and me would be worse than 2 man with one vet and me? Not trying to sound like a jerk but honestly wondering as I have done some jv games already.

[tomegun]

Do you haven't even worked three-man in a scrimmage?

I think you doing three-man for the first time with two "Vets" is essentially having the game worked two-man. You are going to have so many things going in your head that you will want to make sure you are in the right position and will likely revert to watching the ball so you can determine if you are in the right position.

I put Vets in quotes because I don't think this is the responsible thing for veteran officials do. You mentioned you have worked "some" JV games already. How many would that be?

Think old bull...walk down the hill.

[jeremy341a]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Do you haven't even worked three-man in a scrimmage?

I think you doing three-man for the first time with two "Vets" is essentially having the game worked two-man. You are going to have so many things going in your head that you will want to make sure you are in the right position and will likely revert to watching the ball so you can determine if you are in the right position.

I put Vets in quotes because I don't think this is the responsible thing for veteran officials do. You mentioned you have worked "some" JV games already. How many would that be?

Think old bull...walk down the hill.

No i have not worked 3 man ever and haven't ever worked a scrimmage. Honestly I have worked 11 nights all double headers. Some middle school, some freshman, and one jv varisty night. As for having the game worked two man that is what most all games around here are other than championship games and district and on games. We did call and clear it with the school first.

[Welpe]

The point tome is trying to make is that working 3 man effectively is not simply adding another body on the floor.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by jeremy341a

No i have not worked 3 man ever and haven't ever worked a scrimmage. Honestly I have worked 11 nights all double headers. Some middle school, some freshman, and one jv varisty night. As for having the game worked two man that is what most all games around here are other than championship games and district and on games. We did call and clear it with the school first.

Does that mean 11 JV games and one varsity game? What level do you do predominantly?

If your association doesn't do much three-man, how much experience do your partners have?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Do you haven't even worked three-man in a scrimmage?

I think you doing three-man for the first time with two "Vets" is essentially having the game worked two-man. You are going to have so many things going in your head that you will want to make sure you are in the right position and will likely revert to watching the ball so you can determine if you are in the right position.

I put Vets in quotes because I don't think this is the responsible thing for veteran officials do. You mentioned you have worked "some" JV games already. How many would that be?

Think old bull...walk down the hill.

My first 3-person experience was in a high-profile Christmas tournament in 1995. I remember it mainly because I had to grab my grizzled vet R from going in the stands after some yahoo. Can't even remember the weird mid-90s mechanics we worked at the time.

Around here, I'd say "it depends." At some of the bigger schools / conferences, the JV games are better than small school varsity games and would be, IMO, a horrible place to break in a newbie.

A small school girls JV game? Perfect place -- little pace, plenty of time to be able to focus on mechanics, coverages, etc.

You don't get good at 3-person working only scrimmages and camps, but it's probably best to include quite a bit of that in your plan.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by Rich

My first 3-person experience was in a high-profile Christmas tournament in 1995. I remember it mainly because I had to grab my grizzled vet R from going in the stands after some yahoo. Can't even remember the weird mid-90s mechanics we worked at the time.

Around here, I'd say "it depends." At some of the bigger schools / conferences, the JV games are better than small school varsity games and would be, IMO, a horrible place to break in a newbie.

A small school girls JV game? Perfect place -- little pace, plenty of time to be able to focus on mechanics, coverages, etc.

You don't get good at 3-person working only scrimmages and camps, but it's probably best to include quite a bit of that in your plan.

In your opinion, what is the idea way for an official to learn and get comfortable working three-man? Did you do any scrimmages or camps before your first three-man game experience? Your story may have a happy ending and the OP's may too, but what about all of the train wrecks that may have occurred in between?

You are an experienced Accountant, but new to a fortune 500 company. You are well-versed in accounting, but not in your new company's standards and are asked to participate in a meeting. Would you feel prepared to speak for the company?

You are a Mail carrier on the east side of town and have had your route for 5 years. You come in one morning and are told you need to do a route on the west side of town and your performance should remain the same. You ask what the route is and are told to just go out and deliver the mail. You know how to deliver the mail to houses, but don't know the route. Is that fair to the person waiting at the door for their check to come in the mail?

There may be 1,000 stories of throwing someone in the fire for their first three-man game, but that doesn't make it right and should not be the norm.

From the information provided, I think personal desires may be trumping our responsibility to provide the best product we can.

[egj13]

turn on EPSN and watch some NCAA guys work or even better get in a gym near you and watch a varsity crew work. Don't just key in on where they move but "see why" they move. For instance if you are trail (ball on your side) and the ball swings to the other side...begin to close down and anticipate a rotation. Bigger than that though is having a patient whistle as lead and be aggressive as center. People will rarely notice that there are two trails/centers but if there is a double whistle every call when you are on lead it will make the whole crew look bad. Good luck!

[grunewar]

A good pre-game is essential.

Communications will be very important. By seeing globally (calling locally) peek at your partners to see where they are on the floor so you know if you need to move.

Knowing when to "go" as the L took some getting used to for me.

Ask for advice and guidance as the game goes along. Am I too high as the C? Did I miss a switch or rotation? Was that in my primary? Was the double whistle ok there?

Enjoy and have fun!

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by grunewar

A good pre-game is essential.

Communications will be very important. By seeing globally (calling locally) peek at your partners to see where they are on the floor so you know if you need to move.

Knowing when to "go" as the L took some getting used to for me.

Ask for advice and guidance as the game goes along. Am I too high as the C? Did I miss a switch or rotation? Was that in my primary? Was the double whistle ok there?

Enjoy and have fun!

Great advice! The only other thing I would add is: GO HAVE FUN and SMILE.

[pizanno]

Jeremy-
The most important thing is to remained focus on plays, and not distracted by the dance steps. The teams won't care that you're in the 'right' position if you miss a call. Whistle the obvious in your area, and your partners will cover the rest.
Have fun and let us know how it goes!

[jeremy341a]

Originally Posted by pizanno

Jeremy-
The most important thing is to remained focus on plays, and not distracted by the dance steps. The teams won't care that you're in the 'right' position if you miss a call. Whistle the obvious in your area, and your partners will cover the rest.
Have fun and let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the advice!