Interesting Morning

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Even if it was allowed, I still wouldn't do it. Why would anyone?

Let's see? Let me count the ways. Thousands of fans, students, parents, grandparents, from both schools, high school coaches, college coaches, in the gymnasium, already having paid for their admission, some of whom may have traveled many miles, and gone out of their way to rearrange their work day, or social calendar, to get to the game. Several faculty members (site director, timekeeper, scorekeeper, crowd control, ticket sales, etc.) all at the site, on the clock. Local police officer, standing in the corner, on the clock. Local news media, writers, photographers, at the site, on the clock. One official, who may have rearranged his work day, or social calendar, and may have traveled many miles, to get to the site.

And most importantly, two groups of high school athletes, who have been practicing all week for this game, who are dressed, and anxious to play the game.

For those who have rules in place to not play if only one official is available to start the game, I don't get it, but fine, when in Rome you can't fight city hall (sorry for the mixed metaphor). I just don't see a big difference between that and a situation where two officials start the game and one goes down with a broken ankle one minute into the game.

[Mark Padgett]

I wish I had a nickel for every rec game I've worked solo over the years. I might have enough to make that final payment on my yacht.

Some tips for those who wind up working a game solo. Position yourself from outside the 3 point line even with the FT line on whichever court the ball is in and change sides from left to right frequently. On end line throw-ins, throw a long bounce pass to the thrower-in. On free throws, stand where the trail usually stands. Be sure to tell the coaches to yell loudly when they are requesting a TO since you will be in the envious position of not looking at them during the game.

If anyone complains about you missing seeing stuff, tell them to go buy a whistle - and then tell them where they can put it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Some tips for those who wind up working a game solo.

http://www.iaabo6.org/Interp/2009/of...s/1-person.pdf

[The_Rookie]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Let's see? Let me count the ways. Thousands of fans, students, parents, grandparents, high school coaches, college coaches, from both schools, in the gymnasium, already having paid for their admission, some of whom may have traveled many miles, and gone out of their way to rearrange their work day, or social calendar, to get to the game. Several faculty members (site director, timekeeper, scorekeeper, crowd control, ticket sales, etc.) all at the site, on the clock. Local police officer, standing in the corner, on the clock. Local news media, writers, photographers, at the site, on the clock. One official, who may have rearranged his work day, or social calendar, and may have traveled many miles, to get to the site.

And most importantly, two groups of high school athletes, who have been practicing all week for this game, who are dressed, and anxious to play the game.

For those who have rules in place to not play if only one official is available to start the game, I don't get it, but fine, when in Rome you can't fight city hall (sorry for the mixed metaphor). I just don't see a big difference between that and a situation where two officials start the game and one goes down with a broken ankle one minute into the game.

Billy is 100% on target..I had this happen 2 days ago where my partner went to the WRONG SCHOOL

Freshman Boys ..flying solo and game goes into overtime. Not only were BOTH coaches appreciative of my efforts but I had PARENTS from LOSING team shake my hand and thank me with one parent saying I did a better job than some 2 man crews!

The OP ran into a POS of a coach and I don't mean Point Of Sale!

BTW, the AD gave me BOTH CHECKS!

[deecee]

I would hate to start a varsity game alone, but any other level I get going ASAP. If there is no JV game before I would try calling the assignor to see if he can get anyone to cover. That's after calling my partner to make sure he isn't on his way.

[just another ref]

I've called various games alone over the years at all levels, including several varsity boys games in a summer league, thankfully, only one quarter of a "real" varsity game ever. I always tell the players at the start, "I'm by myself. I'm gonna do the best I can. If you ever want to get away with any kind of dirty play in your career, now would probably be a good time to try it."

They know I'm kidding, I think.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by The_Rookie

Billy is 100% on target ...

... and so is a broken clock, twice each day.

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by The_Rookie

Billy is 100% on target..I had this happen 2 days ago where my partner went to the WRONG SCHOOL

Been there, I drove my partner with me to the wrong school...fortunately, we were 10 minutes from the correct school...

[Nevadaref]

In some areas officiating with a single official would void the insurance policy.
If that applies to you, don't put yourself in that position.

[Mark Padgett]

FYI - if someone in our local kids ref league winds up working a game solo, they get 1.5 times their normal rate. We figure you don't work twice as hard but you do work about 1.5 times as hard.

[26 Year Gap]

A few years back I was working a JV game at a school called BFA. There was another BFA about 14 miles away. (Some guy had bequeathed money to both towns to build high schools a long time ago). I am going over the pre-game with my partner, when a new guy shows up all out of breath.

New Guy: "Are you _______?"
Me: "No."
New Guy: "Are you _________?"
Partner: "No."
New Guy:
Me: "Are you at the right BFA?"
New Guy:

After the shock wore off, I gave him directions and had the AD call the other school. What was funny was the fact that I worked with ________ the next night.