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Interactive Hang-Time News by Email Hoopchat Frequently Asked Questions The Ed's Tuppence Coaches Confidence in Whistlers plummets
Mark Woods
The standing of the referees in the eyes of the BBL's coaches has fallen to a new low this season, according to a survey commissioned exclusively for Britball.com.
We spoke to 12 of the 13 playcallers in the league to get their opinion on the standard and application of officiating in the domestic game. The results deliver a damning verdict on the officials and suggest that the BBL and England Basketball are not doing enough to raise the overall level of the discipline.
In a season where referees have come in for frequent criticism from both coaches and supporters for the inconsistent approach applied to the rules, it appears that occasional meetings - designed to set out the parameters between which penalties will be enforced - have failed to apply a common set of rules to which all officials will adhere.
"I have no confidence in 95% of the officials and worry greatly in close games," said one long-serving BBL coach (we promised anonymity in the comments made).
"Even the ones who are revered as our better refs are still tremendously sub-standard and their failure to recognise this really hurts their chances of improving and the overall attitude of refs in the game."
Another voiced: "The level of officiating is comparable to recreation league in the states. This is not a
compliment, but rather an embarrassing fact."Of the three questions we posed to the coaches, none cast the officials in a positive light.
Few considered that there had been any signs of improvement over last term in the BBL. Many of the coaches felt that the EBBA's decision to suspend Richard Stokes, Wil Jones and Roger Harrison - three of the most respected whistlers - for their involvement with ULEB, had left many matches to be covered by less experienced crews. "The standard of officiating has dropped again this year over last time. This is due in some part to the suspended officials, but more to the fact that refs have no real leadership and are not accountable for their performances. Do you know i have not filled out a referee form in over two years and have never been asked for one or even fined as per League rules?"
Has the standard of refereeing in the BBL this season..? Got better ............. 1
Stayed the same .. 3
Gone Down ........... 7
Didn't know.............1In theory, BBL coaches are supposed to provide feedback to the league after each match. Several however either had stopped bothering with the practice or felt that their responses were not being taken into account.
It is understood that the league will have a full-time referees' supervisor in place for the start of next season but those who had submitted requests or sent videotape of particular incidents complain that their appeals are falling on deaf ears.
Likewise, a number of officials we spoke to indicated that the comments submitted were rarely, if ever, passed on to the individuals concerned.
Often the referees have appeared to visibly provoke a situation which has caused observers to deflate their overall opinions of the officials as a group. The ejection of Leopards' chief Bob Donewald in a televised match in March is a case in point. Donewald never left the bench to contest a decision but ended up with a double technical.
Why? Because the official concerned insisted in approaching the technical area and remained, almost provocatively, in the American's presence. Had he defused the situation by walking away, or not going there in the first place, Donewald would likely never have incurred any penalty.
Is the standard of refereeing in the BBL overall..? Good ..................... 0
OK but Imperfect ... 3
Poor ....................... 7
"The refs have zero confidence in each other and often make comments to coaches the undermine their partner, thereby further eroding any confidence in officials by the coaches."
Several coaches offered the opinion that - in a league where almost every official has a 9-5 job - many were being asked to work too many fixtures in a short space of time.
"There have been some improving individuals. It is extremely difficult for these guys to improve! The only ways are for them to become more full-time ( you will note that the guys that did / have over the
years got better...also, of course, they all worked Euro games) ... One game per week doesn't do it. But then how can they go "full time"? Who / what will sustain them financially? Answer = forget it, it is
not going to happen."
Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you. Coaches will often look to blame the refereeing for a loss; it's easier than admitting that their side screwed up.
"I have never taken the view that a ref cost us a game. What I will say is that they certainly have cost us a chance to win a few games so far this season."
Has the officiating altered the result of one of your games? Yes ..................... 10
No ......................... 2
Yet the BBL privately concedes that officiating has had a negative impact on matches. Derby Storm received an "apology" for the referees' action during their Trophy quarter-final with Chester, while few would contend that mis-handled calls are a rarity.
"The single greatest factor in winning and losing games in this league is officiating. On many occasions I have caught them not knowing the rules, which is the least they could try to do. Most haven't played the game or at least not of any consequence and, thus lack a feel for the game."
There are still few refs who have played the game at the top level - Rob Illife and Peter Knowles, two of a short list. Unlike in the USA where most officials will have taken part in high school hoops, few here appear to have a true appreciation of the mindset of a player.
There are funds available to train officials on the BBL's part but, our survey indicates that until the development of referees is given a greater priority by the associations, the standard will continue to decline. Probably only those who take part in the Euroleague receive the support require to find incremental improvements in their approach to what is becoming an increasingly demanding role.
Yet without assistance to rectify what is clearly a crisis of confidence on the men (and women) in grey, there will continue to be a suspicion that there is more than one set of rules in the game and not everyone is playing to the same variant.
Website Poll Is the standard of refereeing in the domestic game...?
Top Class ............. 5%
Average ......................... 21%
Bottom of the League ... 72%
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