Had two playoff games last night, 7th grade boys. We started almost an hour late because both games ahead of us went into double overtime.
Had no problems with the first game. Yellow beat blue in what I thought was an upset, if there is such a thing at that level.
The second game was a bit more hotly contested. It was close throughout. I can’t remember what quarter it was, but I T’d up the green coach. He was upset about a foul not being called, then his player got called for a foul. He slammed his clipboard down on the ground, thus the technical foul. He later apologized for it, but then started complaining about his son getting hammered out there. I wasn’t going to get into it with him, so I just walked away.
Had my first player technical last night as well. My dad called a foul on a blue player. He was frustrated, slammed the ball down and yelled “Come on”. He was complaining all game anyway. It’s the same kid I almost had to T last week.
My favorite line of the day came from the blue coach in the second game. I called his player for a five second closely guarded violation. The kid was dribbling at the top of the key, and slowly moving the ball towards the basket. He never came even close to getting his head/shoulders past the defender. When I whistled for the violation, the coaches go “But he was advancing the ball!”
When I go over and try to explain the rule to the coach, he cuts me off and says “You’re the ref I’m not going to argue with you.” I said “I know, I’m just trying to help you understand the rule”. It was a weird exchange.
I find myself increasingly calm in late, close game situations. That’s a good thing. I think it’s because I know what’s going to happen, or at least can anticipate what might happen. The team that’s losing will try and foul, so I have to be ready to call the foul. I asked my dad if he was nervous at all in that situation, and he said no as well.
