refnrev 1. Good rules knowledge and how and when to apply it. 2. Good court presence and personality. 3. No showboating, grandstanding, or "one-upping" their partners.
Camron Rust Originally posted by M&M Guy Originally posted by Mark Padgett OK - enough nonsense. Since the board is slow this summer, let's get into some philosophy. List the three most important attributes you want in a partner. I'll start. 1) good rules knowledge 1) I would change that to good game knowledge. It's important to know the rules, but I think it's better to the game overall. Perhaps someone who has been a former player or (gasp!) coach who has a working knowledge of the game can better apply the rules as they are intended. While this can be the case, it can just as often be a curse. I've seen many former players/coaches that think they know the game call every myth in the book making the game harder for those that really know the game. Some don't ever study the rules. They assume that they don't need to since they were a good player/coach.
M&M Guy Originally posted by Camron Rust While this can be the case, it can just as often be a curse. I've seen many former players/coaches that think they know the game call every myth in the book making the game harder for those that really know the game. Some don't ever study the rules. They assume that they don't need to since they were a good player/coach. I agree wholeheartedly. I guess I wasn't clear in that you need to also know the rules; it's hard to have one without the other. Just having been a part of the game results in what you mentioned. Just knowing the rules without knowing the game results in an official making 20 3-sec. calls in a game. I've had people ask me to officiate volleyball and soccer, but one of the main reasons I don't is because I don't really know those games. Yes, I can study the rules, and I can go watch several games, but I still would not have that "feel" for the game like I do in basketball and baseball/softball.