Game Scenario for Discussion

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Or, if it has already been established that this is a really casual atmosphere and that something as complicated as putting time back up will be frowned upon, you might tell the timer to be sure and watch for your signal after the timeout and hold for a couple of seconds before starting.

Originally Posted by NNJOfficial

This occurred with under a minute left in a contested game. All well and good if it's clear, but if it's loud and difficult to hear and there was play after the ball was released you may need to offer some explanation. FWIW, I would have done exactly as you described, but I'm assuming the OP did not in light of the question.

As to your other point, when coaches are surveyed as to what they most want from officials, consistency and communication are often the top two items on the list. It never hurts to have good communication, particularly in game-ending situations.

Ok, enough discussion. Here's how it went down. I noticed the time discrepancy as I was walking to the table to report the timeout. Pretty cut-and-dry, so after reporting the timeout I simply went to the timer and said, "please put 59.8 on the clock; the clock should not have started." A guy behind the timer even said, "How do you know that?" I replied, "because I looked." He said, "oh, okay."

Anyway, because the timer was having trouble, then our R comes to the table and asks what's up. I said, "the clock was at 59.8 and should not have started, so we're putting that time back on." He said, "aw no, no," and gives me a look that could kill. But just at that moment the timer got the correct time up and we went to put the ball back in play.

After the game, R says to me (U2) many things, but the jist was that this was a summer league game, and I was the only one who noticed, and since both coaches didn't notice, either, I should have just left it alone. This really irked me and I even told him that I respectfully disagreed; it goes against everything I've been taught about clock management as an official. And to just another ref's point, no it had not been established in advance that the atmosphere was very casual and that putting time back on the clock would be frowned upon. Quite the contrary, this was a 3-p game during the spring, a perfect opportunity to work on skills before we all start going to camps. We even talked about that in our pre-game. So to catch a clock error, attempt to fix it, and then be scolded for that by the crew chief was ludicrous and hypocritical. This guy, an AAU finals official, is no longer on my Christmas card list.

To be fair, the R did make a valid point. If I was going to do something with the clock, I should have brought the crew together first to talk about it before going to the table. He was right; I should have done that. That said, I think I now know what he would have decided to [not] do, and that would have left me even more unsatisfied than I already am.

I am gratified by the fact that almost everyone who commented saw it my way, which I firmly believe is the correct way. Thanks for all of the input.

[jpgc99]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

This guy, an AAU finals official, is no longer on my Christmas card list.

I wouldn't assume being an AAU finals official automatically makes the person you should respect and/or emulate. They might be a good official; might not. But merely working AAU finals doesn't mean much to me.

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

If I was going to do something with the clock, I should have brought the crew together first to talk about it before going to the table. He was right; I should have done that.

This is a very basic timing mistake and a simple correction. You can tell the crew and the coaches what you have after the timer fixes it. I have no problem with you going straight to the table. There is no reason to bring the crew together when you already have definite knowledge and have the situation well under control.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by NNJOfficial

As to your other point, when coaches are surveyed as to what they most want from officials, consistency and communication are often the top two items on the list. It never hurts to have good communication, particularly in game-ending situations.

that may be what they ask for, but you'll also notice they get annoyed when you communicate the obvious. They don't need a coach's conference to tell them the obvious.

[Nevadaref]

I'm going to ask you why you are doing something which you are not permitted to do BY RULE.

If you have information for the R, provide it to him and let him handle his business.

For the record, I also would not want you correcting the official score or the number of fouls on a player on your own.

[Adam]

This one has run its course.