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guest2953:
Just out of curiosity, is there a meeting that takes place at the beginning of each INBC season where it is decided how or to what level games are going to be officiated at?  For example, someone says this year we are going to let the boys play and only call the really obvious fouls or in 6th grade we are going to start calling all fouls similar to HS.

The reason I ask is there is a huge difference in officiating between lets say between 4th - 8th vs. the HS level.  I have children in 4th and 6th and it is usually very physical because calls are not made.  My biggest concern is injury to young children.  I also question what we are teaching our kids in practice as compared to what really happens in a game.  I've gone through the whole season once again and every year people complain and nothing changes.  Is this a conscious decision by the league or some referee association or training class?  It would help to know as we go into a season so we can prepare kids accordingly.  Thank you

guest3387:
I am not a referee. I would not want that job and commend those who dedicate the time to call games (even if they don't call a great game).

We've played 30-ish games this year and have only had two games called with poor officiating.

Refs struggle when the teams are not equally matched (ie, 15+ point differential in talent) and when the overall talent level is low (ie, when fouls or turnovers could be called virtually every trip down the court). Refs struggle when teams do not play "fundamental basketball". I've had a ref say that to me - that by trying to get my players to play "properly" it is easier to officiate.

Just my 2 cents.

guest2953:
Thanks for your comment Jon,

Unfortunately, it doesn't answer my question.  If the answer is that there would be to many fouls called at these younger ages and the game would take to long then that would be an answer.  If that is the case was that a decision made by everyone at the beginning of the season or is it some unwritten rule?

I would not agree with that decision though.  All contact fouls should be called regardless.  It would only slow the game down for a while and yes it would help reinforce the rules we are teaching our kids.  I understand that in second grade might be to young but starting in 3rd or 4th is not.  The kids would learn how to play the game a lot quicker if we officiated closer. 

By the way my post here is not to rip on the referees.  It is just simply trying to gain an understanding to create an open dialog to help improve the game at the grade school levels. 

chefzebra:
Not a ref, but love the game.

In all youth sports, there is a progression that takes place over many years. From smaller fields, less players on each side, putting a baseball on a tee, there are hundreds of examples across all youth sports and competitions.
The game starts as an 'general outline', and the game and rules enforcement tighten as the players skill, coordination, and brain power develops.

Officiating in basketball is no exception.
If younger ages of youth basketball was called by the letter of the law, there would be a lot of 2 to 6 type games, and a lot less players coming back to play next year. Baseball added a tee so players can hit the ball easier, which means more runs, and making more kids continue to play. Really younger basketball kids have an 8 foot goal in hopes of scoring more points, and keeping the kids involved with the game. If that means some travels are let go, incidental fouls aren't called, and a shooter crosses the ft line a little early, so be it. The more kids that play the game, the game and the talent level grow.

chefzebra:

--- Quote ---All contact fouls should be called regardless.
--- End quote ---

You may have the wrong idea of what a contact foul is. Not all contact in basketball IS a foul... Can you give a couple of examples of what fouls you think should be called that are consistently not?

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