Random partners
 

Normally I try and work with my normal partner, but got called for an AAU tourney this past weekend. Got paired with an interesting fellow for a few games. It was two man, and he didn't shift properly based on where the ball went out of bounds, wouldn't properly bounce the ball to the players, as the lead he wouldn't run to the baseline, sometimes he never got down there on a short possession, and other unprofessional things.

My question is how do I deal with this? I am in my thirties and this gentlemen was in his late forties or early fifties, so I don't want to be "out of line". I have seen him as a varsity level official. In the third game I started to do the cool "hang ten" hand motion to switch sides to be in the proper place because I became sick of bouncing the ball across the lane on the baseline.

I feel you should always officiate to the best of your abilities no matter the contest. Being somewhat new to officiating, I don't want an assignor to see me out of position or improperly officiating for future assignments.

What do you think?

Pfan

Summer ball? I'm going to bounce across the lane on a regular basis as lead rather than rotating over; especially if I'm working extra (more than two consecutive) games. If my partner doesn't like it, I'll adjust, but most guys around here will do this.

Are you saying he walked down the court as lead?

Summer ball is a different animal. Games are on a time schedule. We try to keep things moving. Do we switch on every foul? No. Do we rotate on every OOB call? No. Do we walk all the way to the reporting area to signal a foul? No. Do we go to the proper positions for timeouts during every timeout? No.

Summer ball is a different animal.

Agreed
 

We have 70 minutes from the start of game one to the start of game two. 28 minute running clock - clock only stops for TO's and all whistles w/ 2 min left in the game. Clock doesn't even stop for FT's. 2 x 30 sec TO's per half - they don't carry over. 3 min half time.

There's still stuff for me to work on and keep active.

"Coach, take all the time you want with those subs." ;)

Relaxed Fit ...
 

Agree, especially if both the assigner, and your partner, are on the same page. We use similar "relaxed" mechanics here in our Catholic middle school games, during the regular season.

But please note, nobody around here would ever use these "relaxed" mechanics during any of our regular season high school games (any level), or during any regular season middle school games assigned by our high school assigner.

It is summer ball for God's sake. Nothing is done the proper way to the letter. Heck I have as Trail bounced the ball to the opposite side of the court on a throw-in.

I worked an AAU Tournament this past week, ending Friday. Games were stop clock as normal and shot bonus at 10 fouls. There were many times we did not switch and we did not move mechanically to keep games moving. The only time I would do all the mechanics properly, is at camp during the summer. Otherwise we are trying to keep moving and save legs. In some cases I did 6 games in a row and I will be damned I was going to do everything perfect. And you deal with it because it is summer. Work on other things like your play calling and coverage areas.

Peace

One exception: Ref camp.

The summer ball, "move things along" attitude will certainly affect your evaluation there, and it's a tough mentality to break when all officials are in shorts, games are the usual running-time procedure, and few players wear numbers.

And wearing belts. :rolleyes:

Padg -

You think BMac wears a psi if shorts that needs a belt ????

You obviously did not read my entire comments.

I am aware of the difference, but this was not a camp setting this guy was working or participating in. And what happens in a camp might be subjected to who is running the camp. A lot of camps are not run the same and in some cases do not want certain things done as to either keep the games moving or would not be appropriate for the setting. For example some places do not have a regular bench and table area, so you adjust. But I agree that you do everything there unless is it otherwise stated.

Peace

As for wondering if you should approach him or not. Assigners at all levels are looking for leaders...crew chiefs..."Referees". Those types of people are not afraid to ask questions or talk to people...sometimes you also must lay down some tough love...it is all part of the job.

Hot Pants Don't Require A Belt ...
 

Shut up. And, shut up.

Rookies Can Be So Cute ...
 

My only exception to the "relaxed" mechanics summer "rule", other than for a camp, is if I'm working with a rookie who wants to work on his, or her, mechanics. If that's the case, then I'll be glad to play along, as long as if it's only for a game, or two.

It's hard to describe in words, but he would let the ball fall out of his hands and usually the player had to go out of position to get it. It appeared to everyone to be extremely lazy and like he didn't want to even be there.

As far as the lead going down to the paint, he walked his way down there. Some plays he never got to the baseline. Again, laziness and didn't want to be there.

I'm looking to move up the ranks, do some varsity this year, state tourny by the time I turn 40, college ball (someday), etc. I understand it's summer ball, but as officials, don't we always want to put our best foot forward?

pfan

No. Just like not every employee at your local Walmart will give you the same level of customer service.

What BNR said, plus this:

If your partner is being lazy, don't fall into the trap. You don't have to rotate and switch like you do during the season, but you can make changes without appearing lazy. It's not that hard, frankly.

I'm not saying your partner appeared lazy, I'm just acknowledging it's possible. Of course, it's also possible you expect too much. Now, to quote some random dude I read on Facebook:

"I've found that when I get partners who are less than enthusiastic, it's a good chance for me to work on being the best partner I can be in adverse conditions; to lead by example.

Also, as long as the summer leagues are paying half (or less) than the schools pay during the season, you're going to increase the number of officials who a) are just less professional in general, or b) don't give the same effort as they do in February."

Whether you think it should be that way is irrelevant, it just is.

100% true and why I stopped doing summer leagues.
If we negotiate a fair price for our work with the schools, why would I want to go do that same job for half that amount so that some AAU organizer can pad his wallet? It is sad how people permit themselves to be taken advantage of without even knowing it. They are actually happy to be working six games a day at a tournament. What they don't realize is that it hurts all officials and if they would refuse to do more than three, then the event organizers would be forced to raise the fees in order to attract more people and each person could make the same amount by only working half as much. Silly monkeys!

Honestly, isn't this the limit you can take anyhow? My mind goes late in the third game and it's a challenge to finish sometimes.

I don't mind working summer ball for reasonably reduced rates. I'm typically there for 2 or 3 games, get a good run, see more plays, deal with some bs, work on a thing or two and cover my refreshments for the week. I don't feel taken advantage at all, as a matter of fact, I consider any time in the gym as well spent honing the skills.

While someone else pockets the rest of the money...

I'll do it at a camp. I won't do it for $20/game.

This is how I approach my AAU schedule. I work no more than 3 games in a day. I give availability only for tournaments where I want to work that level of play. I make it known that a major reason for my limited availability are the game fees.

I'm with you there. If I can work top-notch play (which means boys varsity equivalent or better), I'll do 2 or 3. But it's all gotta be on my terms. Time's way too precious in the summer.

I am only going to work 3 person and only if I can pick or know my partners...plain and simple.

Anything I work is to see plays more than anything. I prefer not to work AAU for the most part and I worked a National Invitational this past week simply to work on play calling. And we get paid more then $20 for sure. Not over $30 but it was worth it to do that rather than sit at home and not officiating for months. That being said this last tournament was done by an association I respect and treats me very well. When this tournament was run by others, I did not work it at all or very limited. And I get to work mostly with other quality officials which makes the experience much more fun to work.

Peace

I do a ton of summer games. I agree 100%.

You never know who is watching.

I agree. Some things are accepted in summer/rec, like not making long switches. But there is never an excuse for not hustling up the court in my opinion.

Yes, I agree, one should always aim to practice proper hand signals, court rotations, and other such official distinctions. Even when I do 4th 5th grade club basketball ther is always someone in the stands with an IPad recording the games. Plus, you will tend to "degrade" your official signaling skills if you only use them during "higher level" reffing episodes.
I must admit tho, I do not like it when my partner does not rotate positions on calls--especially on shooting fouls---because it keeps me on the side in the coaches "reach". Really, sometimes I need a break of distance from those coaches constant bantering and such.
Am I alone or anyone else here agree?

All the rec games I do are 2 man. And shooting fouls are always handled by the book (to do otherwise wouldn't make much sense). Calling official reports. Non-calling official administers. You don't always switch on shooting fouls.
You can always take advantage of the rule "the calling official has the option of going to Lead (opposite table) to avoid a confrontational situation with coach/bench".

Good point with the iPads and videos. If I'm an official, I'm less concerned with videos of bad calls. Any assignor knows that bad calls happen. But I don't want to be the subject of a video where I'm being lazy and miss a call because I couldn't be bothered to jog up the court.

lol @ 'being the subject of one too lazy to jog up the court" ohhh lol sad but true!