Zig Zag Help ???

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It is a factor here. Not so much by the person that assigns the state tournament, but if the assignors will not give you games in the first place, yes it will affect your opportunities in the playoffs here at least. And I would suspect that is the case in a lot of places. Just like being bigger will affect you in the same way.

So your assignor will NOT assign games to an official simply because that official wears a belt? No regard to how well that official can call the game, manage the coaches, etc., etc...just simply because he/she wears a belt???

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

So your assignor will NOT assign games to an official simply because that official wears a belt? No regard to how well that official can call the game, manage the coaches, etc., etc...just simply because he/she wears a belt???

First of all I do not have one assignor in any sport. It does not work like that here.

As it relates to basketball, there is usually a different assignor for each conference and each gender.

If you cannot fullfill basic expectations, you will not work for most of them at all. And yes, this is one of those for many that I work for. And you will never prove you can manage the coaches if you do not look the part. And many coaches are going to point you out (for all kinds of reasons other then a belt) if you do not look like someone that does not scream "He/she does not know what they are doing."

This is why every officiating association I belong to, teaches guys to wear the proper uniform and spends time every year discussing what is acceptable. It is the case in every sport and yes wearing a belt will hold you back just the same as wearing shorts will as a football official for certain level games.

I do not make the rules, I just agree with them.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

Do officials with belts work your state tournament?

Absolutely. Some of our best officials wear belts. I will admit that, of those top officials, those that are also college officials never wear a belt, and haven't worn belts for about twenty-five years. Of the others that work the state tournament, the older veterans, will wear belts, while up and coming youngsters, especially those with college ambitions, usually don't.

Also, here in Connecticut, state tournament officials are 100% selected by coaches. Coaches care about whether, or not, an official can make the tough calls; whether, or not, an official will work to get into proper position; whether, or not, an official will communicate with the coaches; and will have no interest in whether, or not, an official wears a belt, they probably don't even notice.

I fully understand why some of you care about belts, or no belts, it's part of the guidelines, and expectations, in your local, or state, high school associations. I am assuming that in your areas an official is expected, either in writing, or by word of mouth, to wear beltless pants if they want to move up, including moving all the way up to state tournament games. I get that, and have no problem with that along the lines of, "When in Rome ...".

What I don't get is why many of you can't fathom that, here in my local association, among our 325 members, belts are neither encouraged, not are they discouraged, and one's rating, and ranking, and number, and level of games assigned, does not depend on whether, or not, one wears a black belt.