Travesty or Travel...

[rpirtle]

I call a multitude of different levels of ball from "little dribblers" (4th thru 6th grades) to college (NCAA-W Div II & III)...up to semi-professional (ABA). Among the most gratifying and rewarding events I work are the Area & Regional Championships for Special Olympics (Texas).

In these tournaments teams are classified by their skill level...which also could include any physical or mental impairment of individual players. Some divisions mix "Unified" players (referred to by some as "normal"...whatever that is) with the special needs players. As you might guess officials in this type of environment really need the guidance of coaches regarding how the game should be officiated.

I've used my experiences in the above games to develop a method of approaching any game or tournament where the players might not be skilled...or where the skill level of two opponents is not the same. I approach both coaches prior to the game. We go over stuff like: 1.) Specific skills they've been working on during the season (that they want called); 2.) Any special rules they may use (ie; bonus on 10th foul, shoot only 1 FT; etc.).

It works for me.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by rpirtle

I approach both coaches prior to the game.

I am sincere when I say it is good to know someone with your experiences in these matters are like minded.

...and since you are an "expert", let me run a few more "procedures" by you for handling the OP.

1) Special Player starts running around with the ball...after a time when it starts to feel uncomfortable...look hard for some kind of foul/violation i.e. 3-seconds...."TWEET" other team gets the ball, Special player is not at "fault".

2) "TWEET"..."grant" a TO request to Coach A. Explain in your pre-game meeting that if the traveling gets too bad..."you are going to want a TO."

3) "TWEET"...inadvertant whistle...Team A gets ball for TI and maybe a new "ball handler".

4) He!! with it...just nail the kid with the travel like you would any other 8th grade B player.

5) Do it like "Dan" did it.

(I'm not saying I agree or disagree with these "ideas"...they were just thrown out there.)

It's interesting...this OP has actually caused a lot of discussion around here...even to the point that some of the football officials have heard about it and talked about it during post-game refreshments.

Again, I like the idea of talking to BOTH Coaches BEFORE the game and get these things ironed out.

[OKREF]

There is a team in my area that has this situation. Every official in our association knows that this team has this kid. EVERY one of us has a big leash when this kid comes in the game. We have never had a conversation with any coach about it, and have never had a problem. People who complain about this, or referee this like it's the NCAA or NBA championship, just don't get it, and you never will. Who cares that a special needs kid in junior high ball gets a break.

[rpirtle]

[QUOTE=RookieDude;911118]I am sincere when I say it is good to know someone with your experiences in these matters are like minded.

...and since you are an "expert", let me run a few more "procedures" by you for handling the OP.

I am not an “expert”…I just know what works for me.

Originally Posted by RookieDude

1) Special Player starts running around with the ball...after a time when it starts to feel uncomfortable...look hard for some kind of foul/violation i.e. 3-seconds...."TWEET" other team gets the ball, Special player is not at "fault".

I am not EVER comfortable doing something “tricky” or deceptive…even for a good cause. I prefer calling what was agreed upon in the pre-game meeting with the coaches.

Originally Posted by RookieDude

2) "TWEET"..."grant" a TO request to Coach A. Explain in your pre-game meeting that if the traveling gets too bad..."you are going to want a TO."

If I understand what you’re saying…I would be determining when a timeout is called and granted for Coach A. That has the potential to put me at odds now with BOTH coaches. In addition, doing that could give the appearance that I am no longer an impartial participant.

Originally Posted by RookieDude

3) "TWEET"...inadvertant whistle...Team A gets ball for TI and maybe a new "ball handler".

Again, deceptive (saying whistle was inadvertent and it’s not)…and never a good idea.

Originally Posted by RookieDude

4) He!! with it...just nail the kid with the travel like you would any other 8th grade B player.

Too heartless…

Originally Posted by RookieDude

5) Do it like "Dan" did it.

Sorry, I don’t know who Dan is.

I guess the best way to put it is this. If both coaches can come to an agreement that certain accommodations in how strictly the rules will be enforced...then I will do my best to comply. For the most part I will not be setting aside any rules...nor will I be taking on any of the coaches responsibilities.

It's a balancing act...with no net. And I'm trying to get the coaches and all the kids all to the other side safely..

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by rpirtle

Sorry, I don’t know who Dan is.

Great Feedback...with good justifications.

Sorry, Dan is talking in third person.

Dan...as the OP stated (and without talking to BOTH coaches BEFORE the game) called a travel on the boy after he ran...stopped...ran....stopped...ran...stopped...r an. On the 4th time running without attempting a dribble.

It caught me by surprise. It was a great learning oportunity and one I will pass on to "my" association.

Come up with a plan, including both Coaches, prior to the game.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by rpirtle

For the most part I will not be setting aside any rules...

I re-read your posts and "for the most part" I agree.

[egj13]

When I was in Montana there was a team with a DS player on it. This kid could shoot the lights out...no seriously! Played JV for like 5 years and was a crowd favorite in every small town I officiated him in.

It was never discussed with the coaches or anything but everyone knew that he would get a little leeway. He didn't get alot though, a stutter step here an extra slide there if he couldn't stop. But it was always funny to watch him hit a "J" in some defenders face and then leave his arm in the air....priceless

I remember the first time I saw him, I walk on the court ant the team has 6 kids...one with DS. Needless to say I was initially like WTF? By the end of the year I had seen that team 6 or 7 times and cherished it every time. I watched him drop nine 3's on 9-10 shooting one night...team only had like 40 total and they lost by mercy rule but I tell you what, the place was electric. He was called for travel from time to time and double dribble was automatic but there was never a travesty of the game in any sense.

I love what I do...been doing this for years...but until I started "enjoying" it and letting things like this go, I never knew how much I loved calling games. Some of you need to lighten up and enjoy this stuff as opposed to feeling that it threatens your authority by doing so.

Oh and I also challenge anyone that loves this to get out and officiate a special olympics...it will change you for the better I guarantee.

[BryanV21]

"It's for the kids" is NOT crap. The rules are there to create an even playing environment so that they can learn and have fun at the same time. They're not there so officials can be hard-asses about them.

It's amazing how many officials take themselves so seriously.

EDIT: Then again, perhaps I should say the game is about the players... whether they are in 3rd grade or professional. This particular case just dealt with kids is all.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by egj13

When I was in Montana there was a team with a DS player on it. This kid could shoot the lights out...no seriously! Played JV for like 5 years and was a crowd favorite in every small town I officiated him in.

It was never discussed with the coaches or anything but everyone knew that he would get a little leeway. He didn't get alot though, a stutter step here an extra slide there if he couldn't stop. But it was always funny to watch him hit a "J" in some defenders face and then leave his arm in the air....priceless

I remember the first time I saw him, I walk on the court ant the team has 6 kids...one with DS. Needless to say I was initially like WTF? By the end of the year I had seen that team 6 or 7 times and cherished it every time. I watched him drop nine 3's on 9-10 shooting one night...team only had like 40 total and they lost by mercy rule but I tell you what, the place was electric. He was called for travel from time to time and double dribble was automatic but there was never a travesty of the game in any sense.

I love what I do...been doing this for years...but until I started "enjoying" it and letting things like this go, I never knew how much I loved calling games. Some of you need to lighten up and enjoy this stuff as opposed to feeling that it threatens your authority by doing so.

Oh and I also challenge anyone that loves this to get out and officiate a special olympics...it will change you for the better I guarantee.

we need a "like" button