bench official

[bballrefinks]

For those that officiate college, I'm wondering if you can help me out.

I've just been asked tonight if I am interested in being a bench official at a juco tournament in March. I thought this was just another description for a table worker, so I figured shot clock, game clock, scorebook, something like that. Come to find out from the person that asked me, it's none of those things.

Apparently all I know about a bench official is that I track the game for the officials. Can anybody give me more info about this? It sounds like a good way to get involved in a national tournament, but I certainly wouldn't want to screw something up!

[JetMetFan]

It sounds like serving as an alternate game official. What exactly are you being asked to track?

[bballrefinks]

no clue, that's why I was hoping somebody could give me more info on it, see if anybody had a clue.

[JetMetFan]

Alternate is the best I can come up with but if that's the case it would make sense for them to tell you since you could end up on the floor in an emergency.

[bballrefinks]

and no way would that happen since I've never officiated a college game in my life, let alone a major high school varsity game. All I know is they said something about tracking the game for the officials. Hoping I can get some better insight.

[JRutledge]

Maybe you are asked to do all the duties of an alternate without being asked to fill in just in case?

Otherwise I have no idea what you would be asked to do unless you ask the person hiring you. I have never heard of such a position without that person being an actual alternate.

Peace

[bballrefinks]

JRut, I suppose that could be possible, except I don't even know what the duties of an alternate official are. My mind was blown when he told me it had nothing to do with scorekeeping or timekeeping or anything. I'm clueless, hope to find out more in the future as this tournament is still a month away.

[Rich1]

Sometimes a "bench official" is used as a liason for tv/radio broadcasts during a game to provide information/explainations about fouls, violations and other rulings, including passing along official game info such as time outs left, foul counts, etc. They may also be "in charge" of the table and provide the timers/scorers with assistance but are not a part of the table crew.

However, I am not assuming THIS is what you will be doing because I am not familiar with your event/area/conference. But, it sounds like a great opportunity for you no matter what it turns out to be.

[Camron Rust]

I'd guess that you'd note who called what at what times and from where.

Originally Posted by bballrefinks

I've just been asked tonight if I am interested in being a bench official at a juco tournament in March.

Come to find out from the person that asked me, it's none of those things.

You need to ask the person who approached you about the position. In fact, I am surprised you are asking here at all. Are you saying this person asked you to do a job and doesn't even know the job description??

I am guessing a bench official is not an alternate, but is someone with knowledge of officiating who can chart fouls. Foul from Lead Opposite, double whistle with C Tableside, call out of primary, etc.

[BatteryPowered]

If they keep saying "track the game" maybe they want someone to keep track of how many fouls are called be each in the various positions (L,T and C), how many double whistles, etc.

Just a thought...

[Rob1968]

Knowing that the OP is concerning an NCAA game, if it were NF, the guidelines are available in the Officials Manual, 4.3.1 DUTIES OF ALTERNATE OFFICIAL. And it seems that in that section, B through E would apply.

[kenref1]

I was a alternate official one time for the Woman's D III tournament. They had me sit at the table and chart fouls and record the time on the shot clock before the reset.

[j51969]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I'd guess that you'd note who called what at what times and from where.

+1

My guess is your tracking fouls and violations, or just fouls. Sort of the who, what, when, and where.

[eyezen]

Another thing that is tracked by the alternate is who is on the floor at all times and who they subbed for...this is for some rare situations but would be a mess at tournament time if it wasn't being tracked.

Injured FT shooter (4 on the floor)
Prevent player coming back in without clock running
(god forbid) a fight

Obviously at the D1 and some D2 schools a monitor helps with this but in the lower levels (OP is juco) not so much.