Sunglasses Technical Foul

[Smitty]

In my association, if we want to get assignments, we must work scrimmages. If we want to work post season, we must accumulate a certain number of points and we can get points for working scrimmages (2 max points). Most of us work an average of 3 scrimmages - I worked 4 this season. We don't get paid - the school pays the association what they would typically pay us. The format is typically 2 to 4 schools participate and they have us (usually 5-6 people are assigned to a court) for up to 3 hours. They can do whatever they want during that time: play a full game, just quarters, game situations...whatever they choose. It's a way for everyone to get ready for the season. People gripe about it, but it's really not that big of a deal.

Coaches are almost always well behaved - they worry about their players and they rarely worry about the officiating. Sometimes when a rookie makes mistakes or someone clearly is in over their heads, they get a little frustrated, but I've never seen anyone get really upset during a scrimmage.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by Smitty

they have us (usually 5-6 people are assigned to a court) for up to 3 hours. People gripe about it, but it's really not that big of a deal.

Up to 3 hrs. each time and you have to do a minimum of 2 of them. Of course people gripe about it, most people's time is worth something. 6+ hrs. of free officiating is absolutely ridiculous. Even for people who place little to no value on their time, giving up family/personal time is a cost as well. If the schools cannot afford to pay officials to have a scrimmage, than they don't need to play any scrimmages or they can have their coaches officiate. We have lots of ways available to us to prepare for the season, working for free is not one of them!

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by johnny d

Up to 3 hrs. each time and you have to do a minimum of 2 of them. Of course people gripe about it, most people's time is worth something. 6+ hrs. of free officiating is absolutely ridiculous. Even for people who place little to no value on their time, giving up family/personal time is a cost as well. If the schools cannot afford to pay officials to have a scrimmage, than they don't need to play any scrimmages or they can have their coaches officiate. We have lots of ways available to us to prepare for the season, working for free is not one of them!

I understand what you're saying. We have very little bargaining power, though. If we want to be assigned (decent) games, we better work our scrimmages. And if we want to work the playoffs, we better work the scrimmages. Here in Texas, districts/schools and coaches have way more power than they should. It's a massive conflict of interest, but it's the way it is. The association is just as focused on pleasing the schools and coaches as it is in pleasing the officials, because the districts can choose which associations they use. And coaches can choose which officials they want (or don't want) when it comes to district play and playoffs.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I understand what you're saying. We have very little bargaining power, though. If we want to be assigned (decent) games, we better work our scrimmages. And if we want to work the playoffs, we better work the scrimmages. Here in Texas, districts/schools and coaches have way more power than they should. It's a massive conflict of interest, but it's the way it is. The association is just as focused on pleasing the schools and coaches as it is in pleasing the officials, because the districts can choose which associations they use. And coaches can choose which officials they want (or don't want) when it comes to district play and playoffs.

How is this about the power of the schools if, as you said in your prior post, the schools are paying the game fee to the assoication rather than you? Sounds like this is, more or less, association dues, not something the schools are dictating.