First time to start the game with a technical

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by packersowner

I have seen a similar situation at the V level in the past two years - one time the bus ran into a serious accident that was holding up traffic, the other was because of road construction.

I would have hard time explaining to any authorities (AD, assignor, etc.) that we started giving out technicals because of these situations. This is still high school basketball and we have to use some prudent judgement in these situations.

Now with that said, your situation is a little different and possibly could have been avoided, but I am always a little miffed when some officials forget about having compassion for the circumstances. Its one of the reasons for my signature quote.

I too think a bus crash or unexpected circumstances is warranted for some leniency. I'll be honest, I don't know why the coach was late, maybe I should have asked why before making a ruling. The opposing coach vocalized his concern about getting the underclassmen to another game across town. I felt like this was a fair decision, to charge a team tech for the book so that hopefully in the future this situation will be avoided. It didn't seem like an excessively harsh penalty and I am glad we also did not charge a second tech for not being ready to play. I feel like that was a good decision.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Sharpshooternes

The opposing coach vocalized his concern about getting the underclassmen to another game across town.

That might be his concern, but then he shouldn't have scheduled the games so close together. And, how does starting the game with a T make it end any sooner? If he's so concerned he can talk to the other coach and agree to shorten the game.

Your concern is only the current game.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by OKREF

I am going to the opposing coach and letting him know he is running late
As soon as he gets here we will get started. Just don't envision giving a T here.

I'd probably do the same, especially for a Freshman level game.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

That might be his concern, but then he shouldn't have scheduled the games so close together. And, how does starting the game with a T make it end any sooner? If he's so concerned he can talk to the other coach and agree to shorten the game.

Your concern is only the current game.

This

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

That might be his concern, but then he shouldn't have scheduled the games so close together. And, how does starting the game with a T make it end any sooner? If he's so concerned he can talk to the other coach and agree to shorten the game.

Your concern is only the current game.

Three very valid points.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Sharpshooternes

I too think a bus crash or unexpected circumstances is warranted for some leniency. I'll be honest, I don't know why the coach was late, maybe I should have asked why before making a ruling. The opposing coach vocalized his concern about getting the underclassmen to another game across town. I felt like this was a fair decision, to charge a team tech for the book so that hopefully in the future this situation will be avoided. It didn't seem like an excessively harsh penalty and I am glad we also did not charge a second tech for not being ready to play. I feel like that was a good decision.

The start time is not the time you are given with your assignment -- it's the time the home team gives you when you on site. If the home team isn't on the floor ready to play, how is this your concern as an official? They aren't ready, you don't play.

(Side question: Was there a countdown timer on the clock? Was it counting down?)

If I whacked a team every time they weren't ready to go by the posted start time, I'd have to call technicals 80% of the time when the JV game ran over. While that might be fun, it certainly isn't the right thing to do.

[MD Longhorn]

I would never issue a T for this. If the team is on the court, dressed, and then refuses to come out - sure ... that's what the rule is for.

But for some sort of unforeseen pre-game snafu? No.

If it was protracted, I might inform my assignor of what happened, so they can be aware ... perhaps it's an ongoing problem at that school - who knows. But penalizing the team in the actual game? No.

(And as to the visitors trying to play players in 2 games at 2 sites? They have to be aware that there are a great number of things that could cause the game to end late (including simple things like overtime) - if they intend to have players play in 2 different places on the same day, they assume the risk.)

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Rich

The start time is not the time you are given with your assignment -- it's the time the home team gives you when you on site. If the home team isn't on the floor ready to play, how is this your concern as an official? They aren't ready, you don't play.

(Side question: Was there a countdown timer on the clock? Was it counting down?)

If I whacked a team every time they weren't ready to go by the posted start time, I'd have to call technicals 80% of the time when the JV game ran over. While that might be fun, it certainly isn't the right thing to do.

Well, varsity start times are usually scheduled variably. The start time is scheduled as 20/30 minutes after the end of the JV game. Yes, they give an estimate but that's not really the scheduled start time.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Well, varsity start times are usually scheduled variably. The start time is scheduled as 20/30 minutes after the end of the JV game. Yes, they give an estimate but that's not really the scheduled start time.

Not sure about that. The newspaper says 7:30PM, my contract says 7:30PM...

My point is that you need to be flexible and there's no reason to be "that guy" if something unusual happens.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Rich

Not sure about that. The newspaper says 7:30PM, my contract says 7:30PM...

My point is that you need to be flexible and there's no reason to be "that guy" if something unusual happens.

I agree. I'm not looking for a T here, but I think the visiting team in the OP can force the issue.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I agree. I'm not looking for a T here, but I think the visiting team in the OP can force the issue.

Not if I'm back in the locker room, they can't.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I agree. I'm not looking for a T here, but I think the visiting team in the OP can force the issue.

How?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by just another ref

How?

I think at least the T for not providing the roster to the scorer applies. If the visiting team demands that I assess it, I don't see how I could avoid doing so.

I'd rather stay out of it if possible.

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by Rich

The start time is not the time you are given with your assignment -- it's the time the home team gives you when you on site. If the home team isn't on the floor ready to play, how is this your concern as an official? They aren't ready, you don't play.

(Side question: Was there a countdown timer on the clock? Was it counting down?)

If I whacked a team every time they weren't ready to go by the posted start time, I'd have to call technicals 80% of the time when the JV game ran over. While that might be fun, it certainly isn't the right thing to do.

Yes, the clock was set and counting down when I arrived. They stopped it at 5 minutes so the team could finish getting ready. And no I don't think it is the right thing to do every time if the game doesn't start right when scheduled.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Sharpshooternes

The opposing coach vocalized his concern about getting the underclassmen to another game across town.

I'm curious. Did charging the opponent with a technical foul get the underclassmen to the other game on time?

We don't know why the home coach was late. Perhaps a valid reason, perhaps not.

However, scheduling a second game for players to play in on the same night certainly doesn't seem very prudent. I wonder who the coach would blame if this game had gone into overtime?

Seems to me the technical was assessed moreso to please the visiting coach than anything else. Personally, I would not have called it. I think this penalty is more about fair play and assumes the coach is actually in the building but does not complete his duties. I've seen a state Elite Eight game delayed 45 minutes because one team brought the wrong color uniforms. No one even suggested a technical foul.


Don't be a plumber.