The 3-person battle continues

[rockyroad]

There was a study done by one of the eastern states ( one of the Carolinas I think) that showed that the first year of three person crews, the number of fouls called on average per game went up. In years 2 and 3, the average went down. They attributed it to two things: 1) the coaches and players cleaned it up knowing they could not get away with stuff away from the ball; and 2) the number of " marginal" calls - ones where we didnt have a good luck at the play but called something based on a partial look - went way, way down. The number of calls considered correct went way up.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

There was a study done by one of the eastern states ( one of the Carolinas I think) that showed that the first year of three person crews, the number of fouls called on average per game went up. In years 2 and 3, the average went down. They attributed it to two things: 1) the coaches and players cleaned it up knowing they could not get away with stuff away from the ball; and 2) the number of " marginal" calls - ones where we didnt have a good luck at the play but called something based on a partial look - went way, way down. The number of calls considered correct went way up.

I don't think it was us. We've been using 3 man for all varsity games for over 20 years. It's mandated by the NCHSAA.

Our local also works 3 man for all JV games in the one 3A and two 4A conferences that we work. How else can you prepare officials to work varsity?

[packersowner]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Our local also works 3 man for all JV games

+1

These are some the hardest games to work with two.

[JetMetFan]

I had a public school AD tell me a couple of weeks ago he's going to push for 3-person crews. NYC only does 3-person in the regular season for AA Varsity in Catholic and Private schools, not public (AA is the highest level of ball in NYC/NYS) and his school is AA public. He said he can't see how we call that level of ball with only two people.

My BV assigner suggested to us a few years ago that we should go 3-person in exchange for a cut in pay to help schools deal with the cost. We're at $105 for 2-person. He said we should go $75 for 3-person, meaning it would only cost the schools $15 for the third, the fees would eventually go back up and more people would get Varsity work. Overwhelming majority of officials said no way. I thought - and still think - the folks who said no were nuts.

NYC publics go 3-person starting with the city QF at all levels (AA, A & B). A few years ago NYS actually went back to 2-person crews for the state semis and finals. The organizers said they were having trouble finding enough officials who understood how to work 3-person so they went back to two. It's back to three again.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

How else can you prepare officials to work varsity?

Here, you have to go to camp to learn 3 whistle mechanics and then you have to work summer ball and scrimmages to get noticed by the chapter leadership.

I really wish more places took your local approach.