High school basketball officials

[burleytog]

How are they in your area?

The state of officiating in this area is at it's lowest point in 20 years.  Went to a game tonight, the two older officials spent the entire second half making sure they were able to influence the game.  I've never seen such inconsistant officiating in the 20 years I've been watching high school ball.

They worked both the girls and boys games tonight and were equally bad in both.  One seemed to not understand the 5-second closely guarded rule.  One seemed to not understand the rule against traveling.  One seemed to think that only those in white shirts were capable of committing a foul.

It's almost to the point where I'm considering not even attending games.

[Dan:]

I went to one of my little sister's games this week and it was awful. I don't know what type of training they get but there are some real goons out there.

I played baseball in high school and we had some terrible umpires also. I remember one time that I stepped out of the box to get a signal from the third base coach and the umpire told me to hurry and step into the box so we could finish the game quickly....I also had a couple of guys who had strike zones that were unmistakeably swiss cheese shaped.

[burleytog]

That is the problem with our local association.  No accountability, no required yearly training.

When I cross the state line into TN, the officials get better.  They are at least consistent.

[Dan:]

Yeah, I figured it was a problem with the way the VHSL works.

By chance, what high school are you watching Burley? I know there are a lot of Group A schools down your way that my school would meet up with in state playoffs. My school was (still is) one of the only Group A schools in Northern Virginia.

[Sam]

I attended the Douglass Freeman-Tucker game this past Tuesday evening and the officials were excellent.

They had total control of the game and called fouls equal on both sides.

Of course they missed a few calls, as that is part of the game.

Overall, I was impressed on how they worked together calling the game.

The VHSL is open to complaints so contact them with your concerns.

Basketball today is more of a hard hitting game than the finesse sport we played when I was growing up.

I was taught that in basketball you were not supposed to touch the opposing players.  Today, I don't think that philosophy applies in either the boys or girls game.  

[bilgerat]

Are they paid officials or volunteers ?

I can't speak for basketball officials in Virginia, obviously, but I see the same thing with softball up here. Some of them are so blatant with their bias towards one team it's disgusting. Interpretation of strike zones is a whole other story.

My daughter is learning that she just has to deal with it and make adjustments.

It's the same everywhere,

[daviscw]

I went to one of my little sister's games this week and it was awful. I don't know what type of training they get but there are some real goons out there.

I played baseball in high school and we had some terrible umpires also. I remember one time that I stepped out of the box to get a signal from the third base coach and the umpire told me to hurry and step into the box so we could finish the game quickly....I also had a couple of guys who had strike zones that were unmistakeably swiss cheese shaped.

That's in most part to keep the game moving, but I caught in HS and I had one umpire tell me he couldn't wait to get home to a cold beer. I told him if he called for us the game would go a lot quicker.  ;D

[1inStripes]

That is the problem with our local association. No accountability, no required yearly training.

When I cross the state line into TN, the officials get better. They are at least consistent.

It must have improved over there then.  The Arby's used to be the worst called games I ever saw.  Maybe it has improved.  RC played North last year and RC's girls coach asked for a time out after an RC steal.  The official said he couldn't have it, then asked after RC threw the ball out of bounds if he wanted that time out now.

I got called for a flagrant against Volunteer because a guy tried hurdling me and landed on my shoulders.   :

[GLADES]

I know what you are talking about.

I coached middle school kids for the local YMCA basketball program.

Our team had a couple of decent players and some beginner and out of shape kids. The program was supposed to be about having fun and good sportmanship, and it was for the kids despite the idiot refs and coaches.There were a couple of other parents who volenteered that quit , and pulled their kids out, after they saw the way the games were being called and the coaches dirty tactics and never substituting. I stuck with my kids and we beat the number 1 team in a huge upset, it was great and my kids really came ready to kick butt.

[burleytog]

That is the problem with our local association. No accountability, no required yearly training.

When I cross the state line into TN, the officials get better. They are at least consistent.

It must have improved over there then. The Arby's used to be the worst called games I ever saw. Maybe it has improved. RC played North last year and RC's girls coach asked for a time out after an RC steal. The official said he couldn't have it, then asked after RC threw the ball out of bounds if he wanted that time out now.

I got called for a flagrant against Volunteer because a guy tried hurdling me and landed on my shoulders. :

I haven't been to any games in TN other than Arby's games in several years.  I think TS played at Central a couple of times during that last run.

IMO the consistency is much better in TN.  You may get the occasiional clueless jackhole, but for the most part they all know what they're doing.

On this side of the state line, it seems every crew has at least one clueless zebra, sometimes they are all clueless.

[1inStripes]

There's really not much difference to be honest.  Im not going to be an advocate for anything they do since I don't call bball.  I know theres some that suck something fierce.  There's also some that aren't that bad that take a lot of flack.  NET is just the same.  Everyone is basically the same, and when someone does come along that better than average, they generally move up to the college ranks.  Heck, if I could drop a few pounds and change my work schedule, you probably won't see me running the field on Friday nights in a couple of years.

[fathom]

our high school refs think they're working the NBA.

they don't call nothing at no time.

[Bassboy15]

I attended the Douglass Freeman-Tucker game this past Tuesday evening and the officials were excellent.

They had total control of the game and called fouls equal on both sides.

Of course they missed a few calls, as that is part of the game.

Overall, I was impressed on how they worked together calling the game.

The VHSL is open to complaints so contact them with your concerns.

Basketball today is more of a hard hitting game than the finesse sport we played when I was growing up.

I was taught that in basketball you were not supposed to touch the opposing players. Today, I don't think that philosophy applies in either the boys or girls game.

Ya, def changed, when defending cross screens we're taught to get low and stick the guy coming off of it...

[Sam]

Right, as long as you don't throw a shoulder or knee.  ;D   ;D   ;D

[SuskyDude]

So all of you should step up and volunteer. Show them how its done.

That's what my old man used to say to unruly parents who stood up in the stands and complained while he reffed little league football games.

Funny, every single one of those people shut up and sat right back down. :

[burleytog]

Why should I have to become an official in order to complain?

[atx_newbie]

I would like someone to explain to me the fouls in basketball.  I really enjoy watching, except it seems like you can't play defense without fouling somebody.

In soccer, I was taught to play strong, physical defense.  Nothing dirty, but basically maintaining constant contact with the offensive player (shoulder checks, slight elbows, etc.).

I understand that basketball isn't really a contact sport, so you shouldn't be able to check or tackle somebody, but when LeBron drives to the hoop, how do you stop him without fouling?

Seriously, I'm not knocking basketball, I would like this explained to me so that I can become a better educated fan.