The State of the Game

When was the last time you attended a basketball game in person? Doesn’t it always seem that some idiot is screaming something at the refs? This guy must know it all about basketball or thinks that he does because the officials are never wrong are they?

This past weekend I attended my high schools first round state playoff game and there was that guy again. Seated in the front row wearing a ball cap this gentleman harped on the refs so bad that at halftime a Rent-a-Cop had to come over and ask him to be good.

FOLKS THAT IDIOT WAS ME!



First off, I was out of line to yell. I went home and my father made me go get a bar of soap and I had to wash my mouth out. What though drew me to react so harshly? Was it truly my fault for abusing the official with verbal assaults or should they be held accountable as well?

If you think officiating a game is easy, I suggest you go to your local elementary school and ref a game. Even at that level you are going to get screamed at by parents who think that their son’s game is the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP.



Back to officiating at the high school level:

After witnessing what I saw a few nights ago I have a few comments I would like to make about the state of the game today.

1). The PIAA should be ashamed of themselves if 3 guys in there 60s is the best you got to try and keep up with 16,17 & 18 year olds.

2). Where is the youth in officiating? I know, I am going to take one guess with this at the high school level....It is who is padding whose pocket with money. It is the big boys, no matter how bad they may be at ref’ing a game helping out the big wigs cause they are buddies.

3). The game has gotten too quick for most of these gentlemen and some ladies. The sport is played at an up-tempo pace these days. Last weekend I witnessed three officials who just couldn’t keep up. The side ref kept turning his back to the play (missing a back court violation & numerous walks) because he was always late to the play.

4). How do you become an official? Do they teach you the correct angles and is there a basic set of rules that all must follow? IF so, can you please explain to me when a kid hits the floor 4 times in a row down the floor nothing is called. Also, is there such thing as a hand-check foul anymore or are you allowed to just dry hump your guy now?

5). Is it professional to carry on a conversation with the gentleman yelling at you while the kid dribbles the ball right beside you for 30 seconds?



Once again I will be the first to admit that officiating a game is probably one of the hardest things I have done. It takes knowledge of the game but also a coolness to know where to be. You also need to have a thick skin to handle the pressure of people yelling at you.

So next time you are at a game and see one of these idiots take into consideration what I have said. Think for a moment if you could get out there and do what he does.

On the other hand Ref’s please go and watch a collegiate game. See how these guys cover the floor and control the game. Understand that missing a call is going to happen but look at why you missed it. No one is perfect but for 32-40 minutes you can be.


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