Career No-nos.

[just another ref]

10. Inappropriate, as I understand it, varies widely according to area and level.

11. If everybody else where you are does it, it must be all right.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

17. Wearing a belt anywhere except a corner of Connecticut.

[brainbrian]

Some of these depend on the level you're refereeing. I'm going to dress differently going to a middle school game than college game. Weekend church league you're never going to get all officials to not interact with their friends who may be coaching or a spectator. Also, some of these are common sense for life in general. You should never tell someone to shut up, be late, or verbally people. Nothing special in refereeing.

I think the big career no-no in the list is complaining about your partners and the assignor. Word will get around. I also think you need to make sure you show up for your games, be reliable, and do not turn back games to your assignor without a valid reason.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

17. Wearing a belt anywhere except a corner of Connecticut.

While there may be a few exceptions in some other areas somewhere out in the boondocks, I agree with you.

Whistles & Stripes: Well said. Where were you on my earlier thread? I really could have used some backup.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

While there may be a few exceptions in some other areas somewhere out in the boondocks, I agree with you.

Whistles & Stripes: Well said. Where were you on my earlier thread? I really could have used some backup.

I was reading along, enjoying my popcorn.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

10. Inappropriate, as I understand it, varies widely according to area and level.

True but wearing a T-shirt and some flip flops would not be considered appropriate in many places I am sure. This is probably the reason the word "inappropriate" was used instead of specific types of dress.

Originally Posted by just another ref

11. If everybody else where you are does it, it must be all right.

I guess. But that still does not mean people think highly of that practice that are observing. I would not be doing that no matter what others do.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I guess. But that still does not mean people think highly of that practice that are observing.

98% of the officials here come to the game dressed and ready to work. That's at all levels, jr. high through varsity. You honestly think anybody here is observing this and thinking: "Boy, this is unprofessional!" ?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

98% of the officials here come to the game dressed and ready to work. That's at all levels, jr. high through varsity. You honestly think anybody here is observing this and thinking: "Boy, this is unprofessional!" ?

Obviously not. And still does not make it right or give the right impression to those that are not officials.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Obviously not. And still does not make it right or give the right impression to those that are not officials.

Peace

I was talking about the people who are not officials. The coach/athletic director at the high school up the road here has seen a total of 7 officials come to the school dressed in something other than their officiating clothes in the six years he's been here. He's saying to himself, "Gee, I think all those other guys should dress like that." ?


I don't buy it.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I was talking about the people who are not officials. The coach/athletic director at the high school up the road here has seen a total of 7 officials come to the school dressed in something other than their officiating clothes in the six years he's been here. He's saying to himself, "Gee, I think all those other guys should dress like that." ?


I don't buy it.

In fact, he's likely thinking, "Hell -- here comes this PITA who is not dressed and now I have to find a secure spot to put him / her.... I should tell the assigner not to send this official anymore and to send only those who are already dressed."

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Obviously not. And still does not make it right or give the right impression to those that are not officials.

Peace

Jeff, I'm with you on this issue, but what is expected, and therefore what is considered "professional", is going to vary by area. Where jar works, it's not unprofessional. The only people who notice are officials, and school staff. If the school staff sees it all the time, they won't know any different.

You're normally one of the biggest advocates for "do what's expected in your area," this is no exception.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Adam

Jeff, I'm with you on this issue, but what is expected, and therefore what is considered "professional", is going to vary by area. Where jar works, it's not unprofessional. The only people who notice are officials, and school staff. If the school staff sees it all the time, they won't know any different.

You're normally one of the biggest advocates for "do what's expected in your area," this is no exception.

And I do not buy the "Everyone does it" crap either. I would bet higher than 2 percent gets dressed in some fashion at the schools. Usually when people give that high a number they are trying to make it seem higher then what is really the case. I think that is often said like kids say that to justify bad behavior or to make it sound like people should not judge them negatively. Also it is not about just the administrators or coaches, it is about observers of the game or an events that have no direct influence on games.

And yes I recognize what people might do in their area when it comes to minor issues with mechanics or application of a rule or interpretations. This is not one of them.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And I do not buy the "Everyone does it" crap either. I would bet higher than 2 percent gets dressed in some fashion at the schools.

You would lose your bet.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And I do not buy the "Everyone does it" crap either. I would bet higher than 2 percent gets dressed in some fashion at the schools. Usually when people give that high a number they are trying to make it seem higher then what is really the case. I think that is often said like kids say that to justify bad behavior or to make it sound like people should not judge them negatively. Also it is not about just the administrators or coaches, it is about observers of the game or an events that have no direct influence on games.

And yes I recognize what people might do in their area when it comes to minor issues with mechanics or application of a rule or interpretations. This is not one of them.

Peace

WTF??

Coming from the guy who - for years and years - has used the "In my area, we do..." argument to justify his interpretations of things??

That is just downright hilarious.

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by Adam

Jeff, I'm with you on this issue, but what is expected, and therefore what is considered "professional", is going to vary by area. Where jar works, it's not unprofessional. The only people who notice are officials, and school staff. If the school staff sees it all the time, they won't know any different.

I'll agree that everyone should do their Rome thing, and I'll also agree that few people other than officials would notice if someone came to the game dressed for the court, but I know I feel sharper when I arrive at a game site looking sharp. Additionally I doubt that someone who is not an official would think a dressed-down official is unprofessional or won't do a good job. I do think that an "outsider" will have the opposite impression with an official who is sharply dressed before a game. It's human nature to have unconscious impressions based on appearance and I'm going to control what I can control and put myself in the best position I can in order to get a positive first impression. I'm sureasheck not going to tell another adult what he or she should be wearing to a game but if someone asks, I'll share my experiences...