That guy

j51969 · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Jan 27, 2014, 01:03pm

My experience with "THAT GUY" is they are almost always there for the $$$. Many of the one's I know work a ton of lower level games and men’s rec. I haven't had to work with one of these guys in a while. When I did all they could talk about is how many games they were working. Not the quality of play, or things they were learning along the way. My last experience THAT GUY took a JV game from a friend. We did a little pre-game and the usual feeling out with someone you have just meet. It was uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as watching him fumble through even the most basic of mechanics and procedures. THAT GUY works a lot of games, and THAT GUY watches a lot ot TV (probably NBA)! Maybe he has watched his share of Varsity Level basketball and thinks "that is not that hard, I can do that". THAT GUY found out differently THAT NIGHT.......

Rich · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Jan 27, 2014, 01:24pm

This from a boys varsity game in the not too distant past.

That Guy and his apparently new partner had the JV game. Partner and I stood in the corner on arrival and watched some of the game going on.

Visiting fans were ALL OVER these guys. All of a sudden, That Guy turned and directly threatened to clear out the section. Now I was horrified...AND entertained.

A bit later, the other official missed a blatant illegal dribble against the home team. The visiting coach took a timeout at the next opportunity and stood staring at the official. That Guy came over and got face to face with this coach and the two of them went at it for a bit. No technical foul or anything, just a good old argument between the two of them.

We start the varsity game. Didn't hear a thing from anyone the entire game. Visiting assistant was the JV head coach. At the introduction, he kind of ignored us (and I figured that was a hold-over from the previous game). His bad mood didn't last long.

And yet: About midway through the first quarter, That Guy came through one of the gym doors and stood in a corner by himself -- wearing a pull-over jacket from the home school.

Good times, good times.

BayStateRef · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Jan 27, 2014, 01:28pm

My suggestion: forget about it.

Be responsible for the things you can control. Your assignor had this other guy on the game, so he is responsible for him...not you. If the coaches have a problem, they need to go to the assignor, not to you.

I am happy to help out less experienced officials, particularly in youth games. But I had an experience recently with a guy who just wasn't getting it. I realized then, that it is not my job to help him get better. He just didn't want to listen, didn't want to hear what I had to say. So I don't offer the help -- unless someone makes a point of asking for it.

Andy · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Jan 27, 2014, 02:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

My suggestion: forget about it.

Be responsible for the things you can control. Your assignor had this other guy on the game, so he is responsible for him...not you. If the coaches have a problem, they need to go to the assignor, not to you.

I am happy to help out less experienced officials, particularly in youth games. But I had an experience recently with a guy who just wasn't getting it. I realized then, that it is not my job to help him get better. He just didn't want to listen, didn't want to hear what I had to say. So I don't offer the help -- unless someone makes a point of asking for it.

As I became more experienced, I was always willing to try to provide tips or information to newer officials. It becomes apparent pretty quick who wants and appreciates the help and who doesn't. Didn't ever stop me from offering, though. Most of the time, I would just ask..."Hey, do you mind if I give you some advice, tips, feedback, etc.?" and then go from there. But I never stopped offering.

MD Longhorn · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Jan 27, 2014, 02:59pm

Andy - from here I know you're a knowledgable guy and your advice to these guys is probably solid.

But how many of us have come across the other "that guy"? The one with a constant stream of unsolicited advice - much of which is utter nonsense. My 2nd baseball game in a new area (no one knew me yet, thus no one knew I had 19 years at the time under my belt), I was sent to work a relatively decent level high school game with "Advice guy".

Our pre-game was not a pregame but rather his opinions of both coaches and several of the players on the teams we were playing. After the first half inning as I'm going to my between-innings spot, he waves me in. During the "1-minute" between half-innings, I get at least 3 minutes of advice... things like making sure I mirror him on foul/fair calls, my "D-slot" (wtf is that in a 2-man game???) was too far toward 2nd base, I was too slow on my base calls several times, etc. I tried to walk back to my spot at least 5 times but he kept talking and being new to the area, I didn't want to be rude. Finally ended the conversation by nodding and smiling and going to my spot.

Next half inning I somehow managed to not see him waving me in. Middle of the 2nd he comes all the way up the line to offer some more advice, again going WAY too long between innings. Poor home pitcher probably wore out his arm warming up in the first 2 innings.

I avoided him successfully until after the bottom of the third, which unfortunately ended with both of us calling an out at 3rd base - at which point I'd had enough.

Blocked him in arbiter that night, discussed the debacle with my new assignor and learned he was a FOURTH YEAR guy.

Don't be THAT guy either...