End of game procedure in a blow out
 

I am struggled with how to end a game smoothly when there is a blow out.

Last night I had a double varsity girls/boys at a small school.

First game with home team (white) ahead by large margin with 10 sec. to go, I yell on the court, "ok white no fouls". Visitor gets the ball with 1 seconds left, pulls up for a 30 foot shoot, white get's right in her face and causes contact and I call a foul. (probably should have held my whistle). Told my partner and the visiting coach that we did not have to shoot the foul because it would not decided the game, game over. Am I right to say that??

2nd game, same situation with home having a large lead margin, I yell "ok, white no fouls". White (a late bench sub) rebounds the ball with 5 seconds and drives the length of the court and shoots a 30 footer. He get's hammered to the floor with 1 second and I swallow my whistle and walk off the court.

How do we get high school kids to understand that it is bad sportsmanship to foul or shoot a try with less than 10 seconds to play when you have a large lead. (If you watch a NBA or college game, they no how to do this)

When will you learn that it's not your job to tell a team not to foul? Just work the game that's in front of you.

While it is frustrating how coaches and players handle late game situations at times, it isn't our job to coach them.

It is not your job to tell white whether to foul at the end of the game or not.

Not to mention that there's a good chance that issuing this order may be counterproductive.

In any game, there are four types of people: players, coaches, officials, and spectators. Most of the problems come from one group trying to act like another. Don't act like a coach, and don't be a spectator.

You were right not to shoot free throws at the end of the first game, but if someone "gets hammered" with :01 left, call it and shoot 'em. Otherwise, you're just encouraging kids to go nuts at game's end.

If the horn has sounded, then you don't shoot. If there's still time left, then shoot.

As fot the rest, it's been covered.

How would you have reacted if one of the coaches yelled "OK ref…10 seconds left, 10 point game…Don't call any fouls"?

As others have said…stick to your job and yours alone.

Question: Why did you say that to the players? This may sound like a silly question I'd like to know what you were trying to accomplish.

I may think it, but I wouldn't say it. Frankly, I really wouldn't mind letting the visitors shoot some meaningless free throws. What is it, an extra thirty seconds or so?

JetFan,

I am not trying to coach the players. I would like to teach the players some sportsmanship. I know that is the coaches job.

Thanks for all the responses. I understand the message.

There are some sportsmanship issues that are within our purview (taunting) and there are some that are outside our purview (running up score, shooting late in the game when up big).

Deal with the former, leave the later to the coach.

If I'm a late game bench sub and you tell me not to shoot, you deserve whatever lip comes your way.

There is no issue of sportsmanship in fouling at the end of the game unless they are frustration fouls. Yeah we don't want to extend games longer than needs be when the contest is down to the scrubs but we do not stop doing our job.

I tired telling both teams "no fouls, no violations, no turnovers" during the captains' meeting today. It didn't work out any better than what you said.