Playoffs

[Texas Aggie]

Is it physically possible to be up for this 85 times a fall if you do other things? Are you getting 85 games worth of benefit out of your 85 games? Or is it just slogging through them?

I don't think this is a problem for guys that want to do it. I personally don't, but I know guys that do want to work every single night and then are pissed when the season is over. I don't think I slogged in any of my 45 or so games this year or any of my 60 games last year. Adding 20-25 more wouldn't have been a problem for me if I had the kind of job that would allow it and wanted to do it. Yeah, in late August or early September, the 4th quarter of a second JV game can be rough since its humid as hell, my legs aren't quite in midseason form, and I'm so hungry, I start wondering if there are real beans in my bean bag. But I get through OK, and the younger guys do so without much thought.

My point was that experience, in football, is all about snaps. I've averaged 50 games a year for the three years I've worked. Is that 3 years the same as a guy who's done 30 games per year?

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

....
My point was that experience, in football, is all about snaps. I've averaged 50 games a year for the three years I've worked. Is that 3 years the same as a guy who's done 30 games per year?

Actually it is not that simple. Yes it may be helpful to be on the field more but it is possible for a guy to do what is called "Work 1 game 50 times" instead of "50 games:. The point being, if you are doing the same thing over and over but are doing it wrong, then how much experience do you really have. Not saying you fit that category, just saying it is not a simple matter of "I have worked 50 games a year". I know some guys in a Chapter I am familiar with who have been at this for over 20 years and who are in it for the money. They work as many nights a week as they can and do youth league stuff on the weekends. They are doing over 100 games a season. But, they are some of the worst officials possible.

If you are doing games without "adult supervision" (more experienced and competent officials) working with you, I really question the value of the experience. (And yes, if you are working with the guys I mentioned at the start of this post, I definitely question the value of THOSE games)