Over-officiating

[BuckTrump]

This is an honest question that I would like some input on.  I think we have all seen it in one way or another.  The guy that over-officiates!!!!!  What do you do with him?  He calls fouls for the smallest infraction, he "fishes in your pond", he flat out looks for things and you are fairly convinced that he dreams up obscure fouls at opportune times just to show off his knowledge.  His arrogance is obvious and his approach is painful.

I have worked the last year with a referee like this.  It became painfully obvious to me that he was doing all of these things and more.  I will not be working with him next year.  I got through the year by simply shutting up and allowing things to go down as they were going to.  I was just trying to limit the amount of collateral damage during the process.  What do I do now?

Additionally, he would wear the white hat like a badge of honor.  He was way too quick for my taste when saying things like "my crew" and "my backjudge".  In chapter meetings he was often embarrassing by chiming in when no one, including myself, wanted to hear from him.  He has been a referee for two years and inserts demands at meetings like he has it all figured out. 

I guess I am just asking how you think you might separate from this guy as graciously as possible.  I think we have all seen this happen before if not experienced it ourselves.  Any advice?

[ECILLJ]

Buck,

Good luck! We all know these guys. It is time for you to find another crew that needs an official.

[Curious]

I'm making a few assumptions:

1. that you have talked to this guy about your concerns
2. that your association has been made aware of this guy's issues and has done little or nothing about them
3. that your assessment of this official is shared by the rest of your crew 
4. that crews are not made up by and assignments are not given out only to the Referee

If these assumptions are incorrect, meet as a crew and talk to him.  If the issues remain "unresolvable", fire HIM and find another "R" rather than quit the crew.  Seems silly to have four guys suffer for one loose cannon.

There is "strength in numbers"....
 

[HLinNC]

Ah, there's the upside to week-to-week crew assignments.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[TampaSteve]

Sigh.
My crew this year was all experienced of 10 yrs or more, sans the B of 3 yrs exp.
The R had more holding calls than the U.   
Round these parts "over-officiating" refs are called "flag-happy a77-h's."

[BuckTrump]

Curious

1) I have talked with him in so many words.........I have not told him to "knock it off" but I have subtle reminded him of his keys, his mechanics and his responsibilities.......along with the same for everyone else on his crew.  I am not all that confrontational, so if he can't figure it out based on the dozens of times that I have had these types of conversations with him than he/I am just out of luck!

2) The chapter is aware of this but I am certain that they do not know the full extent of it.  Because we are true independent contractors in our chapter (obtaining your own games without an assignor) then most of the guys just do not care what goes on with other crews.

3) The rest of my crew are relatively young (6 years, 6 years and 5 years).  They are fine officials but are still feeeling out the "politics" and "unwritten rules" of officiating.  I have talked specifically with the Umpire and Line Judge and they both see it but concede that the Referee is more seasoned and gives him the benefit of the doubt.

4) You are correct, as stated earlier, assignments are given out to one person for the entire crew......that one person is normally the Referee however that is not always the case with our crew.  I secured 4 of our 9 games last year and our LJ secured 1 of our 9 games. 


I am at a loss. 

[bama_stripes]

BuckTrump --

If the rest of your crew likes & respects each other, maybe the answer is for one of you to make the move to the R position and cut this guy out.

Or, try to find an experienced R who wants to work with your crew.

Good luck!

[Curious]

Curious

1) I have talked with him in so many words.........

Sounds like he needs to hear it from the entire crew.  If they're not willing, SPLIT!

2) The chapter is aware of this but I am certain that they do not know the full extent of it.

If the Chapter doesn't assign, forget it. 

3) The rest of my crew are relatively young (6 years, 6 years and 5 years).  They are fine officials but are still feeeling out the "politics" and "unwritten rules" of officiating.  I have talked specifically with the Umpire and Line Judge and they both see it but concede that the Referee is more seasoned and gives him the benefit of the doubt.

Seems to me the crew has enough experience to stand on its own eight feet.  Sometimes you have to jump in the water - politics be damned; but it helps to have "swim buddies"...

4) You are correct, as stated earlier, assignments are given out to one person for the entire crew......

This could work to your advantage.  We used to do it ourselves; but have moved to assigners over the last 5-6 years.  If you have good relationships with Athletic Directors, you shouldn't have a lot of problems filling your dates.

I am at a loss.

Just ask yourself if you're (individually and/or collectively) willing to keep accepting this behavior just to work OR if you're ready to move on and manage things yourselves.  I've been down this road (dumping someone) three times in the last 40 years, and it's never easy.  But, it has always worked out for the best.

Good luck

[yarnnelg]

We had one that scored in the high 90's on every test. Worst field official you ever saw. IW from Back Judge on a run to my sideline, ball on the ground and he blows the whistle from 40 yards away. Intercepted Pass, first block chest to chest, one of those OHHHHHH blocks from the stands ... flag, down the field we go, block on the side right in front of me, second flag almost hits me in the head, thrown from 20 yards away. Touchdown .... I turn around and he is on my sideline screaming at the coaches.
We all come together to discuss the play. "Pick up your first flag" "I will not, it was a block in the back""Number 82 cleaned his clock with a chest to chest knock you out of your cleats block, it was legal, pick up your flag." "OK, but the flag at the 20 was a block in the back." "It was right in front of me on the sidelines and was on the side, pick up that flag too.""NO! It was a block in the back"Back Judge chimes in "If that was a block in the back then I'm Jimmy Johnson" White says "Pick up the flag" We had a White Hat in the PressBox ... He came down at Halftime .... switched hats and officiated at Umpire for the rest of the game. Our entire Association knows about this guy .... no one wants him .....shame, really a shame ...