Teaching new church league refs

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The question I have, is why don't you use already existing officials for this league? These kind of leagues are the way officials around here make some extra money and to fill out some parts of their schedule for younger officials? Peace

Rut - I don't know about his particular situation regarding this, but in my local kids rec league we go up against other groups to get gym space from the school district. One of the points that helps us get priority on space is that we hire and teach HS kids to ref the little guys and the school district Board really appreciates that.

Of course, our policy that any kid in grades 3-12 who wants to play gets to play regardless of their family's financial situation is a big plus for us, too.

[JRutledge]

Nothing wrong with that. I just ask because many leagues have gone to rules that allow them to have licensed officials work as a mandate. It makes little difference, but with liability always in the backdrop and time to teach others rules, that seems to be what is done here. I know there are some leagues that might have HS kids work or non-licensed adults, but it seems to the norm they contact an existing high school assignor or local officials association and use their officials. I get emails literally every day to work some league somewhere and cover everything from middle school to men's leagues in many places.

Peace

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Nothing wrong with that. I just ask because many leagues have gone to rules that allow them to have licensed officials work as a mandate. It makes little difference, but with liability always in the backdrop and time to teach others rules, that seems to be what is done here. I know there are some leagues that might have HS kids work or non-licensed adults, but it seems to the norm they contact an existing high school assignor or local officials association and use their officials. I get emails literally every day to work some league somewhere and cover everything from middle school to men's leagues in many places.

Peace

My one Youth League uses all kids and non-licensed adults. Another uses kids and non-licensed adults for all 15U and below, but, the B16-18 division uses licensed officials. Then we have several others through our association that use strictly licensed adults. I don't know what the liability is.

Just shows to go you......

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by grunewar

My one Youth League uses all kids and non-licensed adults. Another uses kids and non-licensed adults for all 15U and below, but, the B16-18 division uses licensed officials. Then we have several others through our association that use strictly licensed adults. I don't know what the liability is.

Just shows to go you......

There is a percieved issue that licensed officials go through a lot of training in order to work games. The same applies to Pop Warner/Bill George Football leagues and Little League or Youth Baseball around here as well. In baseball and softball for example, most leagues have such a rule that there are many officials just licensed so they can work those leagues and almost never work high school at all. I am not so sure I think all of that is necessary, but someone is telling them to go that route. Just wondering.

Peace

[rsl]

I have trained HS kids to officiate for county youth leagues, but last year the county decided to use adults. They did not require NFHS tests, but made they made their own certification test from the previous year's NFHS test. The adults worked out much better than the HS kids, but only because they got more respect from parents. I don't think they are better officials.

I have also trained adults for our local church leagues. There, they often required team members to ref the game before or after the game they played in. So, it was a victory to get consistent referees who at least had a couple of hours of training.

Legal liability has never been raised as an issue. Are there really laws about these things?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rsl

Legal liability has never been raised as an issue. Are there really laws about these things?

Perceived liability is often about fear more than anything else. It does not mean that there is actually a court case, but if there have been threats of litigation or possible inquiries, a lot of these leagues do not have the resources to fight a lawsuit even if they did nothing wrong legally.

Peace

[rekent]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... threats of litigation or possible inquiries, ..

For what?! Participants sign waivers...

[just another ref]

Tell them not to be afraid to make a call late.

"I see it......no, wait.......yeah, that's what happened! Oops, too late now."

It's not too late. Blow the whistle.

[bainsey]

The concept of control -- player control, team control, no control -- and when control starts and ends. These affect so many other rules.

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by bainsey

The concept of control -- player control, team control, no control -- and when control starts and ends. These affect so many other rules.

Great point thanks.