[mikesears]

Originally posted by jfurdell

This is about where I would start (sternly) saying "That's enough, coach, this discussion is over". If he keeps it up, flag him.

Remember, the rulebook says all these qualify as USC:

"Attempting to influence a decision by an official"
"Disrespectfully addressing an official"
"Indicating objections to an official's decision"

That gives you a lot of leeway for throwing that flag. If you sense that a bad situation is going to get worse, I think it's best to throw the flag early to send a message that unethical/unsportsmanlike behavior by the coaches won't be tolerated.

Some background:
I normally white hat on my crew so it was a totally different experience on the sidelines again. As a crew this year, we have been trying to rotate through the different spots so we all have other officials persepectives on things. My U was Refereeing his first game in 10 years.

After he started his tyrade, I did state, "All right coach, I've heard enough. No more!" Apparently, he didn't hear me because he kept right on going without missing a beat. That is when I flagged him.

After he was flagged, he then tells me he wants to talk to the Referee (normally, I am in that spot). I asked if he would like to take a timeout to do so. He does. We all the timeout and he then goes into a full one minute monologue to the R about needing that call, and how we are so concerned about the sidelines that we are missing things on the field. By this point I am feeling admittedly flabergasted by this guy and he asks why I called U.C on him.

My smart-aleck nature wanted to kick in and I wanted to say any of these:

What actually weant through my mind: "Because you were being an ***".

What I thought about later: "Coach, if I have to explain why, then we are BOTH in for a long night."

OR

"Coach, I would tell you, then it would take the fun out of you actually reading the rulebook."


I controlled myself and didn't say any of these things.