Playoff conversation???

[Camron Rust]

The fact is that when there are 10 spots to be filled, there will be 100 officials that think they should be in those 10 spots. The 10 in those spots just might be the wrong 10 but that still leaves room for only 10 others....the other 80 will still think they should be in there but will be wrong.

They'll still complain about not getting it for whatever reason but in the end, most of those that complain are just not as good as the ones who get the assignments. They might be "good enough" for many of the games they do, but, they'll remain oblivious to why they didn't get in and will blame it on politics or whatever and never look in the mirror to see what it is that they could do to improve their chances. The first step to getting in is figuring out where it is that you fall short and doing something to address it.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

The fact is that when there are 10 spots to be filled, there will be 100 officials that think they should be in those 10 spots. The 10 in those spots just might be the wrong 10 but that still leaves room for only 10 others....the other 80 will still think they should be in there but will be wrong.

They'll still complain about not getting it for whatever reason but in the end, most of those that complain are just not as good as the ones who get the assignments. They might be "good enough" for many of the games they do, but, they'll remain oblivious to why they didn't get in and will blame it on politics or whatever and never look in the mirror to see what it is that they could do to improve their chances. The first step to getting in is figuring out where it is that you fall short and doing something to address it.

At the high school level, I firmly believe this depends on where you live and how playoff assignments are made and who makes them.

[canuckrefguy]

Where I am, schools and coaches have zero input into which officials work playoff games - of any kind. There is a small amount of input at the university level, I believe, but ultimately the decisions are made by assignors with input from observers and evaluators.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by zm1283

At the high school level, I firmly believe this depends on where you live and how playoff assignments are made and who makes them.

I doubt it very much. The systems may vary but there will always be officials left out that think they deserve to be in. The numbers may vary from place to place but the situation will be the same.

And it is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a competitive environment and comparisons and goals are to be expected. It occurs at every level in every sport all around the world. Some people, however, choose to cause trouble over it and others choose to worry about what they can control and let the rest go as it will go.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I doubt it very much. The systems may vary but there will always be officials left out that think they deserve to be in. The numbers may vary from place to place but the situation will be the same.

And it is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a competitive environment and comparisons and goals are to be expected. It occurs at every level in every sport all around the world. Some people, however, choose to cause trouble over it and others choose to worry about what they can control and let the rest go as it will go.

You are right, I have not heard any system that someone does not complain about. We have no coaches making the decision and officials here complain about every aspect. Honestly what I have found is those that work hard, work different places and are highly regarded get the assignments and go further in the playoffs. Not that that is the only thing, but many who complain do very little and think they deserve a spot.

Peace

[Raymond]

I have 3 play-off games this week, all within 15 minutes of my house

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I have 3 play-off games this week, all within 15 minutes of my house

I beat you. Four games next week at a place 3 miles away.

It will only take me 15 minutes if the light does not turn green fast enough when I am driving.

Peace

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I have 3 play-off games this week, all within 15 minutes of my house

Conrats, Oh hero o' mine! And for this how about a trip or two out to Bluestone next season. It only seems fair.
PS - don't forget to pick me up.

[VaTerp]

Around here our association assigner selects officials for all district and regional playoffs. There is no direct input from coaches. We have a peer evaluation where all varsity officials rate their partners throughout the season and the scores are tabulated and each official receives a year end ranking. We also have evaluators who observe games throughout the year. I'm not sure how much weight any one factor has but it's ultimately the assignor's discretion who works all playoff games.

The state playoffs begin with quarterfinals and are assigned by the state (VHSL) athletic director. I believe the assigner or commissioner for each sanctioned association submits a list and VHSL assigns from that list. Quarterfinal games are worked by crews from the same association, while semi-finals and finals are worked with mixed crews.

There is also a summer VHSL evaluation camp where they take 36 officials from across the state and evaluate them over 2 days in conjunction with a team camp. You are then rated in 9 categories and given your score, ranking, and the avg score of all officials at the camp. I've been told that they are trying to move toward making attendance at this camp a prerequisite for state tournament assignments but I imagine that is a long ways away if it ever even happens. I attended the camp this past summer even though I worked a state quarterfinal last season.

Last year I found out I got my quarterfinal game the week of the regionals. This year, my assignor asked me to confirm my availability for a state semi-final about 10 days ago. I received the assignment in Arbiter this week and will get an email from VHSL telling me who my partners will be. My guess is that they start with the state finals and then work their way back in terms of assignments.

As for the conversations, people will talk and complain about who gets what. We even have some officials who show up at districts and regionals, and probably the state games too just to see who is working and question why so and so is working certain games.

I hear the talk about other officials and know things are likely said about me as well. Some people don't like the fact that this is just my 4th year in the association and I've received some fairly good assignments. I've been referred to as a kiss-azz and some other things. But I know that's the way things go so I don't really pay attention to it. I'm working a girls regional semi tonight and am sure there will be some of these very officials sitting in the stands.

What I do is make myself available, work the games I'm assigned, try to get better, and try not to be the source of problems and headaches. That's worked fairly well for me and it's the advice I give others when they bring up the politics and "game-playing" involved in getting better schedules and/or playoff assignments.

Regardless of the system used, there will be worthy people left out and some legitimate questions about whose working those games. But there will also be many more people focused on complaining and critiquing the system and individual officials rather than putting their focus on improving their game to get the assignments they say they want.

[tomegun]

In my area coaches don't vote and we do not have a master list. Crew Chiefs recommend up to 10 officials (10 crews) for playoffs - I did NOT recommend 10 officials. The first week, playoffs are assigned from that list of officials. We call that regionals (used to be called zone). The next week (this week), is our state tournament. We play a final four in four classes. Our state tournament rotates between Las Vegas and Reno. Due to budget, our three main associations (that is all we have in the state for the most part) send a certain amount of officials to state. When it is local (it is in Las Vegas this year), many more officials get games.

Our Commissioner leads a very small group of individuals that discuss state assignments. It is a subjective process.

It seems to me like it would be a compromise to allow coaches to have a vote in playoff officials. I think every system has some sort of compromise, but allowing the coaches to vote would seemingly cause some officials to act differently during the season...some officials.