I've been one of the last people to cry about the refs after every game, like many on here do. But what can be done to improve officiating? I've refereed games before, and it is not an easy thing to do. But blatantly bad calls at crucial times, like the shot clock violation, the Harrison block out foul with one second left on the shot clock, and the out of bounds play last night cannot continue to happen. What's the answer? How do we hold the refs more accountable?
How to Fix Officiating?
- Thread starter FtWorthCat
- Start date
If you want to see why officiating is so bad, go watch an AAU tournament some weekend. AAU is ruining basketball. AAU and the influences that AAU create are whats wrong with basketball. They play too many games, the officials are instructed to "let them play" so that they can stay on schedule. It has created a different culture that we are saying the results of now and makes the game almost impossible to officiate, and watch at times.
Be careful; if you say something negative about AAU Justin Rowland, Evan Daniels, etc. (read: all those whose livelihoods depend on "rankings" of teenagers) will berate you and say there's no way you could know what you're talking about. That it's really in the KIDS' best interests.
You would need NSA-level surveillance on officials everyday lives to make sure they don't take Vegas bribes on issues where it's clear they would (see: Kentucky, 2015).
You do 2 things.
1 - Post reviews of calls after every game like the NBA does and keep a ranking of all officials. Then it is transparent who deserve the Final 4.
2 - Make it mandatory for officials to do post game conferences about 30 minutes to an hour after the game so the can review film. A coach or player has to answer for their mistakes to the world, why not the refs? As seen, they can and did influence the National Title.
1 - Post reviews of calls after every game like the NBA does and keep a ranking of all officials. Then it is transparent who deserve the Final 4.
2 - Make it mandatory for officials to do post game conferences about 30 minutes to an hour after the game so the can review film. A coach or player has to answer for their mistakes to the world, why not the refs? As seen, they can and did influence the National Title.
Until there is a system in place to hold referees accountable for their incompetence nothing is gonna change. Right now, each conference has a supervisor of officials and the NCAA has a supervisor of officials from every conference. All of these supervisors are retired referees who have a sympathetic view towards their ex-colleagues. You will never hear John Adams admit that some of the officials under his supervision are incompetent and I doubt that any referee with more than a couple of years experience has ever been fired.
I would like to see a panel appointed to oversee the officials instead of giving that power to one individual who is an ex-referee himself. The panel should include an ex-coach and athletic director along with an ex-referee. Coaches who feel like the referees did a poor job in a particular game would be able to request a review from the panel and any referee found to have made blatant mistakes should be punished. If a referee has enough complaints and is found to be consistently incompetent they should be fired.
I would like to see a panel appointed to oversee the officials instead of giving that power to one individual who is an ex-referee himself. The panel should include an ex-coach and athletic director along with an ex-referee. Coaches who feel like the referees did a poor job in a particular game would be able to request a review from the panel and any referee found to have made blatant mistakes should be punished. If a referee has enough complaints and is found to be consistently incompetent they should be fired.
Get ready to be slammed by the folks claiming you need a tin foil hat. They think everyone in this world is honest and there is not corruption in sports.
Eliminate them completely. Let guys call their own fouls like on the playground, it's a much more honest game.
I suggest that for tournament games, the officials be chosen completely at random right before the game, using a ping pong ball system like the lottery. This way, NO ONE (even the officials themselves) would know who was going to do the game. That way, there could be no accusation of influence.
I like the press conference idea. Knowing they'll have to publicly stumble through some sort of scrutiny would be a good start.
Still, let's adopt some sort of NFL Challenge scenario. Won't really be able to use it for "subjective" foul situations, unfortunately...
but any shot-clock violation or out-of-bounds situation is pretty objective. The refs would be on the hook if they made the wrong call, or if they just plain missed the call. Keep a score of the upheld/reversed/missed results of each ref/crew, and judge them before they are chosen for the NCAA Tourney.
Officials should be managed by a 3rd party company as a whole and should submit to rigorous training, conditioning, and scoring. This should be a full time job. Some of these guys look like they are full time cheescake testers who ref on the side, it's a joke.
Great observation Lumpy, so true that the refs need to be held responsible and must feel their job will be in jeopardy if they do not remain unbiased and consistent. And what ever system is created to insure those principles should be implemented FIRST within the SEC. Their simply is no officiating more biased than that which lives (and is cultivated) within the SEC. I know the officiating was not good in the FF, but as bad as it was it was infinately better than what we saw in the SEC this year. The Tennessee game in particular was a disgrace to fairness.
Not sure you're going to gain a lot of interest in the profession by making officials explain themselves, hold press conferences, etc...people will just stop doing it, It just doesn't pay enough to deal with that headache. Although accountability is definitely needed, I like the idea of more positive incentives for performance with large bonuses, etc Make the rewards for making the right calls actually worth it for the official. Of course all of this is assuming that the NCAA actually wants an unbiased whistle in the first place....
They could always raise the pay js, the only shortage of money in the game is that paid to the players. But your comments all have merit. Just assemble a committee of bright people connected to the game and dedicated to cleaning up officiating and let them come upo with a system to get the job done.
I think adding a 4th official would help. There would be one at each baseline on opposite sides and the guys in the middle would basically run between the foul line at each end, worst case. A lot of the problems are being out of position and many times this is due to the players beating the officials down the floor. Maybe the baseline officials could even come to half court in crunch time and then have 4 sets of eyes on the action.
Completely agree. Accountability! Until accountability is required from the offiicials, they'll either cheat, or have the illusion of cheating when bad calls are made/not made. It's really in the best interest of everyone.
I say give each teams coach 2 challenges like in the NFL. Instead of the in-game refs reviewing it, have a couple replay officials on the scorers table look at it and determine the call. Obviously they already look at the replay for the foot on the line for a three pointer so why not let the coaches challenge a terrible call like the shot-clock violation that was so obvious and not called. Have them keep the under 2 minute rule as well. Other than that i'm not sure what else they could do.
A better, definitive guideline of the rules, better and more training for officials, and better pay as well. Also full financial disclosure on their parts.
The problem with the above is before officiating can be fixed the NCAA has to be fixed.
The problem with the above is before officiating can be fixed the NCAA has to be fixed.
Again, I don't mind missed foul calls. Sometimes they can go either way and stuff like that. What is driving me crazy are the blatantly missed change of possession calls. Last night Winslow clearly stepped out of bounds in front of the ref. Led to a 3 point play for Okafor instead of Wisconsin ball. Last night Winslow knocks the ball out of bounds and despite going to the monitor the refs still miss the call and it leads to 2 points for Duke. For us, the shot clock violation and the failure to re-establish inbounds were two that led to 4 points for Wisconsin. Those are unacceptable and should not be missed. They aren't based upon judgment but upon clear actions. Fouls can go either way, but these huge mistakes on the game's biggest stage have to be cleaned up now!
Please no in-game reviews or challenges. The last 5 minutes are already long enough.
I agree with making them accountable for their calls.
The biggest thing to me is to define what a foul is going to be, and call it, every time. It may take 2-3 years but the game will get cleaned up.
The problem is, they tried to do that at the first of the year and the result was fans, including many on this board, complaining about too many whistles. The game didn't get this way overnight, and it won't be cleaned up overnight.
It has gotten to the point that college basketball has the same problem for an official that I always used to say about "little league" basketball....that being you could literally call a foul every time down the floor if you wanted. The result of that is a fan can always see fouls that are not called & cry "conspiracy."
Clean it up, define a foul, and call it.
I agree with making them accountable for their calls.
The biggest thing to me is to define what a foul is going to be, and call it, every time. It may take 2-3 years but the game will get cleaned up.
The problem is, they tried to do that at the first of the year and the result was fans, including many on this board, complaining about too many whistles. The game didn't get this way overnight, and it won't be cleaned up overnight.
It has gotten to the point that college basketball has the same problem for an official that I always used to say about "little league" basketball....that being you could literally call a foul every time down the floor if you wanted. The result of that is a fan can always see fouls that are not called & cry "conspiracy."
Clean it up, define a foul, and call it.
I'd say the best way to fix officiating is to enforce rules that are in place--just never enforced. For instance, why is it mandatory to collaborate with coaches/players after every call? If there is a coaching box (there is) enforce the damn thing--instead of this joke of guys being on the floor during the damn game. (yes Coach Cal does this as well as majority but it's ridiculous and even seeing assistants now joining the head coach on the damn court in some games) Also--fouls are rules violations and not equal or intended to be used as strategy.. Some games you foul more due to circumstance--trailing and needing to stop the clock, etc..but why would a team who shoots jumpers and doesn't attack get to shoot same amount of FT's or whine about calls as an aggressive/attacking or interior oriented team? Rules violations are punishment--not to be equal. And as for the call for fouling with 3pt lead late--is that not an intentional foul? Your intent is to foul for strategy--and like to think most viewers enjoy seeing the athletes decide the game with makes/misses, not guys in suits who I don't fault for taking advantage of rules--but the fact the rules are so intent on taking game from players and putting them in hands of coaches/referees is why the sport is seeing scoring down, Control isn't good for a free flowing game--refs shouldn't be noticed, they should be background and enforcing rules--problem is they are now so much a part of a game we get breakdowns of what crews/who is working a game/record with them doing so, etc...and coaches are so intent on being the story over the kids who take the court for them. It's why I enjoy Cal and his approach even if you come up short--at least it's about the athletes on the court and what is best for them--not him.
Most importantly--eliminate the charge/block. If you can't officiate knowing when an offensive player gained an advantage--you need to be replaced. If you see a shoulder dip, a hook, a push off--that is an advantage gained. Seeing people fall on the ground to get a call is pathetic and dangerous--especially to players who are attacking basket/leave their feet. It's not how defense was intended to be played. It's also the most corrupt and biased way officials change games. The single worst call in all of basketball is when a player passes the ball and a guy slides over and ball is on wing and charge call is made on a player who isn't intending to do anything with the ball--and has no freedom to move. It's not defense-it's acting.
If a coach/player mouths off--T them up. If a coach can't instruct their team to inbound the ball in a matter of fact manner--start the 5 second count--seeing several seconds tick off as a team waits for the "designated inbounder" to run back from half court is laughable. The game has enough stoppages already--don't need actual game time lost because a team doesn't properly inbound the ball or can't unless it's the 3man or the PF doing so.
Last but not least-look at Calipari and the misinformed opinions. I'd say 80% of the time he's yelling--he's doing so at his own team. Now contrast that with a troll like Bo Ryan or Tom Izzo--with his demonic smile and plea to the gods for calls.Coach K cussing out every ref and intimidating them. Pitino hacking and getting angry when rules are enforced. (btw when did he go from coaching exciting basketball to this boring **** he's forced on the basketball world upon his return from NBA?)
Combine this with the media who acts like coaches are better when they don't score (Tony Bennett, JT III, Ryan, Izzo, Butler Way, etc.....) and you have issues that effect the sport for the worse.
Most importantly--eliminate the charge/block. If you can't officiate knowing when an offensive player gained an advantage--you need to be replaced. If you see a shoulder dip, a hook, a push off--that is an advantage gained. Seeing people fall on the ground to get a call is pathetic and dangerous--especially to players who are attacking basket/leave their feet. It's not how defense was intended to be played. It's also the most corrupt and biased way officials change games. The single worst call in all of basketball is when a player passes the ball and a guy slides over and ball is on wing and charge call is made on a player who isn't intending to do anything with the ball--and has no freedom to move. It's not defense-it's acting.
If a coach/player mouths off--T them up. If a coach can't instruct their team to inbound the ball in a matter of fact manner--start the 5 second count--seeing several seconds tick off as a team waits for the "designated inbounder" to run back from half court is laughable. The game has enough stoppages already--don't need actual game time lost because a team doesn't properly inbound the ball or can't unless it's the 3man or the PF doing so.
Last but not least-look at Calipari and the misinformed opinions. I'd say 80% of the time he's yelling--he's doing so at his own team. Now contrast that with a troll like Bo Ryan or Tom Izzo--with his demonic smile and plea to the gods for calls.Coach K cussing out every ref and intimidating them. Pitino hacking and getting angry when rules are enforced. (btw when did he go from coaching exciting basketball to this boring **** he's forced on the basketball world upon his return from NBA?)
Combine this with the media who acts like coaches are better when they don't score (Tony Bennett, JT III, Ryan, Izzo, Butler Way, etc.....) and you have issues that effect the sport for the worse.
FtWorthCat posted on 4/7/2015...
I've been one of the last people to cry
about the refs after every game, like many on here do. But what can be
done to improve officiating? I've refereed games before, and it is not
an easy thing to do. But blatantly bad calls at crucial times, like the
shot clock violation, the Harrison block out foul with one second left
on the shot clock, and the out of bounds play last night cannot continue
to happen. What's the answer? How do we hold the refs more
accountable?
-_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I think you have asked a question that will never be answered However, there are several posters on here that have come up with some pretty good suggestions that would help.
1. Have the review done by a referee who has no interest in game.
2. No more betting lines.
3. Make it mandatory for each referee to attend clinic {they probably already do this]
4. There will be some criticism if the game is called perfect. Ignore it.
I will give you my opinion if interested. I think that most of the criticism comes from fans who already have prepared their criticism in case their team lost. Some make an effort to try to find out who the referees are going to be. That info should not be given out to public. Of course the coaches are going to be bias and they try to "work the officials " using the old theory the screeching wheel gets oiled most.
I realize that a alleged miss call is hard to accept in a hard fought game in the last minute or so.. There is only one thing that can help. That is to never be in a position that 1 missed call will cause you to lose game.
I've been one of the last people to cry
about the refs after every game, like many on here do. But what can be
done to improve officiating? I've refereed games before, and it is not
an easy thing to do. But blatantly bad calls at crucial times, like the
shot clock violation, the Harrison block out foul with one second left
on the shot clock, and the out of bounds play last night cannot continue
to happen. What's the answer? How do we hold the refs more
accountable?
-_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I think you have asked a question that will never be answered However, there are several posters on here that have come up with some pretty good suggestions that would help.
1. Have the review done by a referee who has no interest in game.
2. No more betting lines.
3. Make it mandatory for each referee to attend clinic {they probably already do this]
4. There will be some criticism if the game is called perfect. Ignore it.
I will give you my opinion if interested. I think that most of the criticism comes from fans who already have prepared their criticism in case their team lost. Some make an effort to try to find out who the referees are going to be. That info should not be given out to public. Of course the coaches are going to be bias and they try to "work the officials " using the old theory the screeching wheel gets oiled most.
I realize that a alleged miss call is hard to accept in a hard fought game in the last minute or so.. There is only one thing that can help. That is to never be in a position that 1 missed call will cause you to lose game.
ralphdaltonfan posted on 4/7/2015...
I'd
say the best way to fix officiating is to enforce rules that are in
place--just never enforced. For instance, why is it mandatory to
collaborate with coaches/players after every call? If there is a
coaching box (there is) enforce the damn thing--instead of this joke of
guys being on the floor during the damn game. (yes Coach Cal does this
as well as majority but it's ridiculous and even seeing assistants now
joining the head coach on the damn court in some games) Also--fouls are
rules violations and not equal or intended to be used as strategy.. Some
games you foul more due to circumstance--trailing and needing to stop
the clock, etc..but why would a team who shoots jumpers and doesn't
attack get to shoot same amount of FT's or whine about calls as an
aggressive/attacking or interior oriented team? Rules violations are
punishment--not to be equal. And as for the call for fouling with 3pt
lead late--is that not an intentional foul? Your intent is to foul for
strategy--and like to think most viewers enjoy seeing the athletes
decide the game with makes/misses, not guys in suits who I don't fault
for taking advantage of rules--but the fact the rules are so intent on
taking game from players and putting them in hands of coaches/referees
is why the sport is seeing scoring down, Control isn't good for a free
flowing game--refs shouldn't be noticed, they should be background and
enforcing rules--problem is they are now so much a part of a game we get
breakdowns of what crews/who is working a game/record with them doing
so, etc...and coaches are so intent on being the story over the kids who
take the court for them. It's why I enjoy Cal and his approach even if
you come up short--at least it's about the athletes on the court and
what is best for them--not him.
Most
importantly--eliminate the charge/block. If you can't officiate knowing
when an offensive player gained an advantage--you need to be replaced.
If you see a shoulder dip, a hook, a push off--that is an advantage
gained. Seeing people fall on the ground to get a call is pathetic and
dangerous--especially to players who are attacking basket/leave their
feet. It's not how defense was intended to be played. It's also the most
corrupt and biased way officials change games. The single worst call in
all of basketball is when a player passes the ball and a guy slides
over and ball is on wing and charge call is made on a player who isn't
intending to do anything with the ball--and has no freedom to move. It's
not defense-it's acting.
If
a coach/player mouths off--T them up. If a coach can't instruct their
team to inbound the ball in a matter of fact manner--start the 5 second
count--seeing several seconds tick off as a team waits for the
"designated inbounder" to run back from half court is laughable. The
game has enough stoppages already--don't need actual game time lost
because a team doesn't properly inbound the ball or can't unless it's
the 3man or the PF doing so.
Last
but not least-look at Calipari and the misinformed opinions. I'd say
80% of the time he's yelling--he's doing so at his own team. Now
contrast that with a troll like Bo Ryan or Tom Izzo--with his demonic
smile and plea to the gods for calls.Coach K cussing out every ref and
intimidating them. Pitino hacking and getting angry when rules are
enforced. (btw when did he go from coaching exciting basketball to this
boring **** he's forced on the basketball world upon his return from
NBA?)
Combine
this with the media who acts like coaches are better when they don't
score (Tony Bennett, JT III, Ryan, Izzo, Butler Way, etc.....) and you
have issues that effect the sport for the worse.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excellent post
I'd
say the best way to fix officiating is to enforce rules that are in
place--just never enforced. For instance, why is it mandatory to
collaborate with coaches/players after every call? If there is a
coaching box (there is) enforce the damn thing--instead of this joke of
guys being on the floor during the damn game. (yes Coach Cal does this
as well as majority but it's ridiculous and even seeing assistants now
joining the head coach on the damn court in some games) Also--fouls are
rules violations and not equal or intended to be used as strategy.. Some
games you foul more due to circumstance--trailing and needing to stop
the clock, etc..but why would a team who shoots jumpers and doesn't
attack get to shoot same amount of FT's or whine about calls as an
aggressive/attacking or interior oriented team? Rules violations are
punishment--not to be equal. And as for the call for fouling with 3pt
lead late--is that not an intentional foul? Your intent is to foul for
strategy--and like to think most viewers enjoy seeing the athletes
decide the game with makes/misses, not guys in suits who I don't fault
for taking advantage of rules--but the fact the rules are so intent on
taking game from players and putting them in hands of coaches/referees
is why the sport is seeing scoring down, Control isn't good for a free
flowing game--refs shouldn't be noticed, they should be background and
enforcing rules--problem is they are now so much a part of a game we get
breakdowns of what crews/who is working a game/record with them doing
so, etc...and coaches are so intent on being the story over the kids who
take the court for them. It's why I enjoy Cal and his approach even if
you come up short--at least it's about the athletes on the court and
what is best for them--not him.
Most
importantly--eliminate the charge/block. If you can't officiate knowing
when an offensive player gained an advantage--you need to be replaced.
If you see a shoulder dip, a hook, a push off--that is an advantage
gained. Seeing people fall on the ground to get a call is pathetic and
dangerous--especially to players who are attacking basket/leave their
feet. It's not how defense was intended to be played. It's also the most
corrupt and biased way officials change games. The single worst call in
all of basketball is when a player passes the ball and a guy slides
over and ball is on wing and charge call is made on a player who isn't
intending to do anything with the ball--and has no freedom to move. It's
not defense-it's acting.
If
a coach/player mouths off--T them up. If a coach can't instruct their
team to inbound the ball in a matter of fact manner--start the 5 second
count--seeing several seconds tick off as a team waits for the
"designated inbounder" to run back from half court is laughable. The
game has enough stoppages already--don't need actual game time lost
because a team doesn't properly inbound the ball or can't unless it's
the 3man or the PF doing so.
Last
but not least-look at Calipari and the misinformed opinions. I'd say
80% of the time he's yelling--he's doing so at his own team. Now
contrast that with a troll like Bo Ryan or Tom Izzo--with his demonic
smile and plea to the gods for calls.Coach K cussing out every ref and
intimidating them. Pitino hacking and getting angry when rules are
enforced. (btw when did he go from coaching exciting basketball to this
boring **** he's forced on the basketball world upon his return from
NBA?)
Combine
this with the media who acts like coaches are better when they don't
score (Tony Bennett, JT III, Ryan, Izzo, Butler Way, etc.....) and you
have issues that effect the sport for the worse.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excellent post
Just had lunch with my cousin who is a firefighter and we talked about this. He mentioned all refs must pass a physical fitness test to prove they are up for the job.
He said they made the fire departments all do it and the had massive turnover and are safer now because all the out -of-shape guys are gone.
This should be done for all refs
He said they made the fire departments all do it and the had massive turnover and are safer now because all the out -of-shape guys are gone.
This should be done for all refs
here is something interesting.......in PGA Tour golf, ONE person, watching on television, perhaps even on the other side of the planet, can spot a rule violation that no one else notices(!).......call the Tour HQ with a complaint, and the tournament officials will IMMEDIATELY check it out, and assess a penalty, even after the fact. If the caller is correct.
Meanwhile, 60,000 people in the building(!), 30 feet away, can notice a violation (say a shot clock expiration, or goal-tending), immediately bring it up, and the officials don't even bother to check!
Meanwhile, 60,000 people in the building(!), 30 feet away, can notice a violation (say a shot clock expiration, or goal-tending), immediately bring it up, and the officials don't even bother to check!
- Some sort of review system is needed...much like NFL...there should Officials watching the game from HQ who can call to somebody on the floor and direct them to have refs review a play...
-shot clock situations need to be reviewable at all times...
-there needs to be some sort of incentive based program for officials...a well called game gets you points, and clown show like we saw against Wisconsin or any game where there is an atrocious foul disparity, well that gets you sent down to Salem Virginia for the Division 3 tourney...
-coaches should be able to summit inquiries when something goes absurdly wrong...like the Olympics...as well as file official reports on refs that seem to shaft them...
-shot clock situations need to be reviewable at all times...
-there needs to be some sort of incentive based program for officials...a well called game gets you points, and clown show like we saw against Wisconsin or any game where there is an atrocious foul disparity, well that gets you sent down to Salem Virginia for the Division 3 tourney...
-coaches should be able to summit inquiries when something goes absurdly wrong...like the Olympics...as well as file official reports on refs that seem to shaft them...
First pink slip Roger Ayers. Second John Higgins. Then Pat Adams.
An official at scorers table to quickly review certain calls throughout the game. One that has authority.
An official at scorers table to quickly review certain calls throughout the game. One that has authority.
