In a high school game recently, my crew was put in an unfortunate circumstance. First, a small anecdote: A parent approached me after a recent contest-which happened to be a a conference play-in game for both teams. Whichever team won, they moved on to a much coveted playoff spot in their conference. She was almost in tears as she walked up, a nice looking well mannered lady. I could tell that what she had to say was going to be one of those moments-you know the kind that you just hate to hear about. She asked permission to speak to me, as if it were a rule she could not, and began talking in a low, measured voice. She let me know that her son was a player on the losing team. She stated that she and her husband had taken great pride in coming to the gym tonight. Especially, since her husband-and son's father had recently been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease with a poor prognosis. Her son, as a way to handle his grief/feelings had dedicated tonight's game to his dad. But, her son was a player that did not get in the game that often. And, the coach had promised that under the circumstance-he would play tonight no matter what. So all in the family were just so excited. BUT, you see her son did not get in the game. As it turned out, he had to give up his jersey to another boy, a better player, so that he could play in the game. And, so her son, sat on the bench almost in tears the whole evening, unable to honor his father with his efforts.
Now, the "rest of the story!" At the beginning of the game, the crew had to address two illegal numbers on jerseys. We followed the rules/protocols and did not allow those jerseys on the floor. As it turns out, according to the AD, these illegally numbered jersey's had been used the "entire" year. They were allowed by other referees in over 20 contests. I find that hard to believe, but I am not going to call the guy a liar either. What occurred on the bench was that, some players that normally do not play much, "gave up" their jersey's to the better players, so the team could compete for the playoff spot. We as a crew were unaware of the "human" toll this took on the contest vis-a-vis the story above.
Now, I am not going into my disgust with the outcome of the stories. Nor will I launch into my thoughts about why we have to be uniform police at certain levels; arbitrating what colors and what shapes, and what widths, and what lengths, and what logos are where, and what constitutes this or that. I mean really, how many times have you known a leg sleeve of any length or color creating such an advantage that opposing players could not overcome it? And, do you mean to tell me that a player who wears the number "8", is substantially putting the other team at a disadvantage? I know, it causes problems with reporting fouls. But what about the unintended consequences. I mean, I'm a dad too, and if that had been my son.........................who knows!
What about the other games where supposedly the illegal numbers were "allowed" on the floor. We as referees are expected and paid to apply a governing body of rules to our contests in order to provide a "level playing field" for both teams. Were these numbers overlooked in previous contests? Were there conscious decisions on the parts of crews to allow illegal numbers? Had this been addressed previously would the above story had happened?
I don't know. What I do know is that we are professionals that should apply the rules with reasonable equity across our contests. When a crew sets aside, or ignores a rule, even as "inconsequential" as some of them "appear" to be-you put yourself, the next crew and the avocation/profession in a difficult position. Don't do it! Know the rules. Apply them expertly and professionally as we are paid to do. Who knows, you might be the next crew going in "cleaning up the other crews stuff!"
Monday, February 10, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
FEELING THE HEAT OF THOSE PHYSICAL DEMANDS ON OUR BODIES
How are you feeling today? To many, this is an everyday, non-consequential type of question. Many times our responses are sanguine-"Doing OK, you?" or "I am fine, hope you are!" And, I must admit, I do this all the time. Most of the time, when I am asked that-the person asking the question really doesn't care about how I am, they are just being socially polite.
BUT, let me give you some context. What about this question-How is your body holding up during the long season's physical demands of the basketball season? Many guys/gals that may read this article, work several nights/days each week. I once saw an ESPN expose about a well known NCAA Division I official and his travel schedule during just one month of the season. In a 30 day month he roughly had only 7 total "days" off, including travel. I know many officials in my local area that work multiple levels, and on average call 4 to 5 days a week. This has to have some impacts on our bodies?
Well it does. Here is a real story, the names are not mentioned to protect the innocent! In the pregame, the crew is going back and forth with the normal stuff. The night promises to offer some challenges, as one of the teams is looking to move up in conference standings. There is a slight delay in getting the crew to the floor for "technical" reasons. During the "down time" conversation turns to schedules and the physical demands they place on the body. Interestingly enough, a statement is made that one member is just "tired tonight." Further conversation revealed that there were thoughts about schedule, travel, and physical and mental impacts.
The game proceeded. And, as expected one team came out and just "punched the other in the mouth." We all have seen it-suffocating defense in the back-court, get the turnover, then rain down the three's. The losing team's coach is getting animated. He starts chirping. His players on the court start chirping as well. At half time, conversation within the crew is around managing the game. You know, let's stay in control, keep this game between the lines.
Second half opens up. Three minutes in we have a technical foul on a player, a warning to a coach, and a technical foul on the coach. In three minutes. Not making a judgment on the guys calls, because yes it all came from one official. During a time out early, the calling official mentions to the crew something about having his back. After the game, an apology is issued, and a heartfelt statement about being tired and letting it affect his performance.
Not saying anything against anybody here, and I am no saint when it comes to keeping my concentration on the floor and staying grounded in "Real-ville." My lesson is more global-how can we manage ourselves during a long season to make sure we are the best team on the court every night? Answers abound, but consider some of these tidbits that come from various sources.
Physical preparation: most of the problems I see usually come from the off season. Not keeping ourselves in physical shape. I have talked to six doctors and exercise physiologists over the last two years, and every one of them made statements about body weight, and the impact it has on what a basketball official does on the floor. It is just common sense-extra pounds-no matter what the body type-mean extra pressure on joints and extra energy to move the the body. Soreness and pain can affect our rest and recovery. Rest and recovery, affects our moods, emotions and judgments over time. And, as we age up, it is more difficult to manage that weight down from the off-season. Sociologist and gerontologists tell us that "boomers" (Baby Boomers, as in the generation for you young readers) see themselves as being 10 years younger than their chronological age. Point being is-folks each year we go into the season its gets harder for us to drop the extra pounds. The normal stuff we do to lose the pounds doesn't work like it used to. So, if you are a referee over the age of 40-consider adjusting your workouts to take care of the extra pounds, "cause the body is a changing faster than you want to admit!"
Mental preparation: it just takes discipline! In that same game, the coach made a statement to me-that he had attended the clinic meeting, and there was supposed to be a "clean slate" for this game. The official that hit him with the technical was holding a grudge from a previous game. Not something you want to hear from a coach. I mean, how do you respond to that? Trying to protect the integrity of the game, the integrity of the crew and keep yourself focused. We have to be professional no matter what the circumstance. We all know late season conference games are going to have higher emotional investments from the teams, crowds, and everyone involved. We have to know going in how we plan to respond. Game management becomes so much more critical. You have to look for opportunities early to respond appropriately to emotionally charged actions on the floor. And, not every emotional occurrence needs a "hard" response from us. Slow down, look at the action, see where it is coming from, look at the result, where was it directed, what impact did it have on the situation and the game, and who was impacted? Then, make a solid professional judgment in the moment with no preconceived notions. Judge what you just saw and proceed. And when you do what you are going to do-do it with calm professionalism. Act like you have seen it before. It is just a play/occurrence. It is not the end of mankind as we know it.
As we strive to be the best team on the floor each night, all of us need to remember our avocation calls on us to think about the impacts we as physical beings have on our games. Let's get our rest, adjust our preparations, make our bodies and minds the best they can be-then let's all be the "the best team on the floor" and "get the call right!"
BUT, let me give you some context. What about this question-How is your body holding up during the long season's physical demands of the basketball season? Many guys/gals that may read this article, work several nights/days each week. I once saw an ESPN expose about a well known NCAA Division I official and his travel schedule during just one month of the season. In a 30 day month he roughly had only 7 total "days" off, including travel. I know many officials in my local area that work multiple levels, and on average call 4 to 5 days a week. This has to have some impacts on our bodies?
Well it does. Here is a real story, the names are not mentioned to protect the innocent! In the pregame, the crew is going back and forth with the normal stuff. The night promises to offer some challenges, as one of the teams is looking to move up in conference standings. There is a slight delay in getting the crew to the floor for "technical" reasons. During the "down time" conversation turns to schedules and the physical demands they place on the body. Interestingly enough, a statement is made that one member is just "tired tonight." Further conversation revealed that there were thoughts about schedule, travel, and physical and mental impacts.
The game proceeded. And, as expected one team came out and just "punched the other in the mouth." We all have seen it-suffocating defense in the back-court, get the turnover, then rain down the three's. The losing team's coach is getting animated. He starts chirping. His players on the court start chirping as well. At half time, conversation within the crew is around managing the game. You know, let's stay in control, keep this game between the lines.
Second half opens up. Three minutes in we have a technical foul on a player, a warning to a coach, and a technical foul on the coach. In three minutes. Not making a judgment on the guys calls, because yes it all came from one official. During a time out early, the calling official mentions to the crew something about having his back. After the game, an apology is issued, and a heartfelt statement about being tired and letting it affect his performance.
Not saying anything against anybody here, and I am no saint when it comes to keeping my concentration on the floor and staying grounded in "Real-ville." My lesson is more global-how can we manage ourselves during a long season to make sure we are the best team on the court every night? Answers abound, but consider some of these tidbits that come from various sources.
Physical preparation: most of the problems I see usually come from the off season. Not keeping ourselves in physical shape. I have talked to six doctors and exercise physiologists over the last two years, and every one of them made statements about body weight, and the impact it has on what a basketball official does on the floor. It is just common sense-extra pounds-no matter what the body type-mean extra pressure on joints and extra energy to move the the body. Soreness and pain can affect our rest and recovery. Rest and recovery, affects our moods, emotions and judgments over time. And, as we age up, it is more difficult to manage that weight down from the off-season. Sociologist and gerontologists tell us that "boomers" (Baby Boomers, as in the generation for you young readers) see themselves as being 10 years younger than their chronological age. Point being is-folks each year we go into the season its gets harder for us to drop the extra pounds. The normal stuff we do to lose the pounds doesn't work like it used to. So, if you are a referee over the age of 40-consider adjusting your workouts to take care of the extra pounds, "cause the body is a changing faster than you want to admit!"
Mental preparation: it just takes discipline! In that same game, the coach made a statement to me-that he had attended the clinic meeting, and there was supposed to be a "clean slate" for this game. The official that hit him with the technical was holding a grudge from a previous game. Not something you want to hear from a coach. I mean, how do you respond to that? Trying to protect the integrity of the game, the integrity of the crew and keep yourself focused. We have to be professional no matter what the circumstance. We all know late season conference games are going to have higher emotional investments from the teams, crowds, and everyone involved. We have to know going in how we plan to respond. Game management becomes so much more critical. You have to look for opportunities early to respond appropriately to emotionally charged actions on the floor. And, not every emotional occurrence needs a "hard" response from us. Slow down, look at the action, see where it is coming from, look at the result, where was it directed, what impact did it have on the situation and the game, and who was impacted? Then, make a solid professional judgment in the moment with no preconceived notions. Judge what you just saw and proceed. And when you do what you are going to do-do it with calm professionalism. Act like you have seen it before. It is just a play/occurrence. It is not the end of mankind as we know it.
As we strive to be the best team on the floor each night, all of us need to remember our avocation calls on us to think about the impacts we as physical beings have on our games. Let's get our rest, adjust our preparations, make our bodies and minds the best they can be-then let's all be the "the best team on the floor" and "get the call right!"
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