Why so many penalties,I'm sure the coaches stress the importance of a penalty free game is much easier to win
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You're right. This season, I've seen my former association officiate two scrimmages and two games while watching two different associations officiate two other games. It has been brutal.I hate to say it this way, older more mature officials have retired. Some associations are bringing on board officials who just don’t have a clue what they are doing. Several of those who would have been JV officials are now calling varsity games with little or no experience. Even going as far as calling Rec league or little league on Saturday, JV mid week, and Varsity on Friday. All about money. Now in my day I had some serious conversations with officials on Friday nights, they listened, and we walked away doing our jobs. Now some of these 2023 officials don’t know the rules or simply don’t care. They have the power and don’t care to exert it. Now not all are bad but those who are stand out like a sore thumb. Once again it seems like if a person can breathe we will put a stripe shirt on them on Friday nights a just say get it done.
Not only with officials, there will be a desperate shortage of public school teachers. The day of the 30 plus year teachers is going by the wayside. Got friends who are public school administrators, they tell me it’s almost impossible to get good teachers to stay. They tell me the same ring about high school officials in all sports.I was reading an article this morning in Sports Illustrated, yes I am old enough that I still like to read things in magazine articles, lol. Anyway, the article is on the current state of officiating from the JV levels up through the pros and it talks about how D1 and the NFL needs the lower levels in order to have a candidate pool to fill it's open positions. It goes on to talk about how the higher levels are at an all time high for making correct calls, but that levels below D1 are struggling. The part of the article that really caught my attention was the statement made by one of the executives that stated that within 10 years, the shortage of officials will reach a critical level that it will begin to impact all levels through high level college games.
I think in the extreme lower levels such as Parks and Recreation, nobody wants to work those games because making $20, $25 (we made $15 when I officiated) is not worth being bothered by parents and coaches. Middle School (at least in my area) is barely above the quality of Parks & Recreation so it's hard for anyone to want to call those games.I was reading an article this morning in Sports Illustrated, yes I am old enough that I still like to read things in magazine articles, lol. Anyway, the article is on the current state of officiating from the JV levels up through the pros and it talks about how D1 and the NFL needs the lower levels in order to have a candidate pool to fill it's open positions. It goes on to talk about how the higher levels are at an all time high for making correct calls, but that levels below D1 are struggling. The part of the article that really caught my attention was the statement made by one of the executives that stated that within 10 years, the shortage of officials will reach a critical level that it will begin to impact all levels through high level college games.
We are I think about 200 teachers short in my county. And my county isn't helped by the fact that it is full of transient people who use it as a bedroom to work their six hour a week government jobs.Not only with officials, there will be a desperate shortage of public school teachers. The day of the 30 plus year teachers is going by the wayside. Got friends who are public school administrators, they tell me it’s almost impossible to get good teachers to stay. They tell me the same ring about high school officials in all sports.
I got 2 more years to reach my 30 and will probably do 5 more to take advantage of a perk for an extra 3 years. There are about 40 teachers in my building and I'll bet and I would say there are about only 8-10 of us that have 20+ years in the system. Last I heard our Middle and High School was operating short staff due to the lack of applicants.I will agree with the educator shortage as well. My division is short staff and surrounding divisions all poach from one another. It's amazing to look at any division and see how many jobs are still open.
I'm down to a few years before I can get out and I cannot wait. I'd do it now, but I'm too far invested into VRS to give that up, but it says something about how far education has fallen when you have longtime educators weighing the pros and cons of giving up their retirement.
I also have thought about giving officiating a try. I played the game and coached it for over 20 years. I miss the environment, but I also see how they're treated and wonder if it's worth it.
Holding 20 yards from the play really hurtsOfficials are calling too many holding penalties.
Unbelievable.I saw a game this week where refs lost count of downs, and the team turned it over on downs, on three downs.
..."but it says something about how far education has fallen when you have longtime educators weighing the pros and cons of giving up their retirement"I will agree with the educator shortage as well. My division is short staff and surrounding divisions all poach from one another. It's amazing to look at any division and see how many jobs are still open.
I'm down to a few years before I can get out and I cannot wait. I'd do it now, but I'm too far invested into VRS to give that up, but it says something about how far education has fallen when you have longtime educators weighing the pros and cons of giving up their retirement.
I also have thought about giving officiating a try. I played the game and coached it for over 20 years. I miss the environment, but I also see how they're treated and wonder if it's worth it.
I also have thought about giving officiating a try. I played the game and coached it for over 20 years. I miss the environment, but I also see how they're treated and wonder if it's worth it.
What's the solution then?
How do you get 22-35 year olds interested in the side job and stick with it?
In our area, we seem to have a conference between the officials after every other play this year. Really makes the game less interesting. Also, never seen such a problem counting off the yards in a penalty.
You have to realize counting is a lost art in our schools.In our area, we seem to have a conference between the officials after every other play this year. Really makes the game less interesting. Also, never seen such a problem counting off the yards in a penalty.