The posts that receive the most comments on the blog are those dealing with specific situations and scenarios so we are introducing this new one for your comments and thoughts:
SCENARIO
In a hotly contested ITA dual match the chair official has already assessed a point penalty on each player and each player has two overrules.
QUESTION AT HAND
As the REFEREE, what would you do in this situation? (The question is addressed to the referee's behavior and not to that of the chair official.)
1. Pray and pray again that nothing else happens so you don't get run over by the offending player's team bus.
2. Stand near the court where you can observe what is happening. Not on the court but nearby.
3. Remove the chair official immediately.
4. Go out to the court on the change over and talk privately with the chair official to see how they are doing and if they are alright.
5. Be sure that the chair official has advised both coaches and both players that the next overrule would result in a game penalty for the offending player.
These are just a few options. We would welcome your thoughts and comments on this vital issue.
8 comments:
The nature-made mother hen in me would be to go to both coaches to be sure they were aware of the fine line their players walk with regard to the overrules and prior penalties assessed. Before, during and after that, I begin praying nothing else occurs.
#6. Let the match play out.
If the officials were hired for their competenance and good judgment, then the required notification to the players and coaches would have already been handled without the referee playing a mother-hen.
Well, the chair should have already told the players on the latest changeover that any subsequent overrules will result in code under the PPS.
The Referee should be near the court in case anything does happen and to make sure the chair is following the rules as well. On the changeover, the Ref should go to the chair and ask if he/she told the players that the next overrule will be assessed under the PPS. If not, tell the players then. If so, just stay close by should something happen to appease the tension
The referee should be nearby in case there is a problem. Otherwise, nothing else.
If you hire competent officials, there is no need to go visit with them.
There is no reason to remind coaches or players about the PPS . . .we don't remind them about any other rules during the match. Why would we remind them of this one?
I aggree #6 Let the Match Play Out..
Don't the coaches and players already know the rules?
Why would you be telling them something they already know?
Well OK. Maybe not everyone of them actually know the rules, but is that our fault?
Being the chair umpire in that situation is a very lonely place,
and the hot spot, so why not
as the referee, go as match supervisor and confer to give the ump a chance at a breather from the pressure.
Being hired to work the match, the chair umpire is still under the supervision of the referee,
and this kind of situation is why there is a referee, to manage and supervise.
The Referee should let the match play itself out. The only time the Referee should get involved is after the chair umpire assesses a code resulting in default, at which time the Referee must get involved cause we all know only the Referee can issue defaults in ITA matches.
I'm assuming you are using competent background checked USTA certified ITA officials.
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