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

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.