Game Management

[upanddown]

Much of goes on in a game regarding making the call or not depends on alog of issues., Our school system runs girls and boys Bball at the same time. Any suggestions on how to call a basketball game and discuss it during pre-game as in a 3 man crew when:

1) Doing boys HS Varsity a top 3 seed team versus bottom 3 seed of 12 teams.
2) Doing girls HS Varsity a top 3 seed team " " '

I personally rather not ref a girls game but neither does anyone else. Suggestions be helpful.

[just another ref]

Pretend you don't know anything about the seeding and just call the game.

jmo

[JugglingReferee]

I think it depends on the coach and players. They might know they'll have a tough or easy game. You know the coaches.

But in general,

Don't miss travels on either team (perhaps on one team more than the other) and don't miss frustration fouls (perhaps on one team more than the other).

You may get more blocked shot or plays close to a GT/BI. Be alert on these plays with an explanation ready. Prep communication with coaches.


That's what I've had coaches mention, if the do say anything at all, in these types of games. They just want to know that you called a fair game.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Don't miss travels on either team

I'm just curious why this would be something you'd consider significant. I could see something like "protect the shooter", but why do you think getting all these is important to this type of game?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I'm just curious why this would be something you'd consider significant. I could see something like "protect the shooter", but why do you think getting all these is important to this type of game?

When in Rome....

Around here, it's expected that some marginal stuff gets overlooked in favor of the team getting it handed to them. One of the most consistent and early critiques I received was, "That was a travel, but you might want to let it go in this game."

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Adam

When in Rome....

Around here, it's expected that some marginal stuff gets overlooked in favor of the team getting it handed to them. One of the most consistent and early critiques I received was, "That was a travel, but you might want to let it go in this game."

Adam:

That philosophy works well at the JrHS levels and below when the skill level of players on both teams are all over the spectrum. But at the FR level and above (as well as highly skilled JrHS games) a travel is a travel is a travel.

MTD, Sr.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I'm just curious why this would be something you'd consider significant. I could see something like "protect the shooter", but why do you think getting all these is important to this type of game?

Just mentioning that it the games I've done that match the OP, the losing coach complained about the winning team traveling a lot. He could be insinuating that the supposed "travels' make it difficult for his team to compete.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Just mentioning that it the games I've done that match the OP, the losing coach complained about the winning team traveling a lot. He could be insinuating that the supposed "travels' make it difficult for his team to compete.

It's likely going to go in the other direction if it's a blowout. I may have to adjust my traveling filter if one team can't bring it up the floor without traveling - otherwise, we'll suck whatever life there is (and if it's a huge blowout, probably litte-to-none already) right out of the game.

[Maineac]

Originally Posted by upanddown

I personally rather not ref a girls game but neither does anyone else. Suggestions be helpful.

So you're working a girls' game. Think this attitude comes across to any of the players or coaches? Just thinking maybe you're setting yourself up for some issues before the game even starts.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Maineac

So you're working a girls' game. Think this attitude comes across to any of the players or coaches? Just thinking maybe you're setting yourself up for some issues before the game even starts.

I hope not. I try to hide it as best I can, myself.

[Tio]

I disagree with others because I think knowing where teams are ranked or conference standings can be very good to know. However, this is informational only and would give you an idea that a contest may be more meaningful or vital in the standings to the teams involved. You would never alter how you referee or do anything differently based on this information though.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by upanddown

Much of goes on in a game regarding making the call or not depends on alog of issues., Our school system runs girls and boys Bball at the same time. Any suggestions on how to call a basketball game and discuss it during pre-game as in a 3 man crew when:

1) Doing boys HS Varsity a top 3 seed team versus bottom 3 seed of 12 teams.
2) Doing girls HS Varsity a top 3 seed team " " '

I personally rather not ref a girls game but neither does anyone else. Suggestions be helpful.

I do like to look at the paper or online to find out some background on teams before games but I look at this as information and preparation and try my best to not pre-judge what kind of night it's going to be.

This week I had girls games on back to back nights. The first game I was at a school where I have had crap games the 2-3 most recent times I'd been there and based on their opponent thought it would not be that competitive a game. I look up their record online and see they are having a better season than in years past but still wasnt expecting that much in terms of level of play.

Turns out it was a very well played game that came down to the last possession. Good rhythm and flow throughout, on same page with partners, great energy and atmosphere in gym. One of my more enjoyable games this year.

Next night, I have the defending state champion at home against a team that had only lost once all year. Both ranked in the top 20 in the area and highlighted in the paper as one of the games of the week. Ended up being an awful game. Visiting team couldnt throw it in the ocean in the 1st quarter, both coaches were whining all game, no flow, just a very disappointing game compared to what I was expecting.

Point being, info is always good but you should never let preconceived notions of how a game will go affect how you will officiate because you will often have a different game than you expect.

And game management is never something that I worry about pre-game. Let the game come to you. I see game management as a skill acquired with experience. Once a game becomes lopsided on the scoreboard or you notice a situation you know you need to take care of then handle business accordingly. But it's something I would never worry about prior to tip off or discuss in pre-game. Half time or between quarters is a different story.

And as for boys and girls games our association handles both and you work what you get. Honestly I do prefer boys games and I get about 70-30 boys. But at the end of the day, I just want a good game with good partners and will take a good girls game over a bad boys game any night of the week. The way it works here (for the most part) is that if you prove your worth on the court, make yourself available, and conduct yourself professionally on and off the court, you will get the better games and for the most part the one's you prefer to work.