[LarryS]

I had two unusual events the last two days at tournaments.

First, Tuesday before a girl’s varsity consolation bracket elimination game a coach came up to me and my partner and asked for clarification on the elbow violation. Said he knew it was a change, was confused by some inconsistency with some officials adapting to the change and wanted to make sure he understood what to teach. Then he ask about our style, let them play or call it tight. We both said we like to “let them play” and look for advantage/disadvantage. Game was uneventful, neither coach really said much all game, just a couple of questions during TOs for clarification. A few minutes after the game, that same coach came up to us again and said “I want to thank the two of you for how you called the game. I have been trying to tell my girls that if we make the playoffs they will not see the ticky-tacky stuff called. I couldn’t get them to understand, but you opened their eyes today. This game had a good flow and even though we lost, we got a lot out of stepping up into this level of tournament.” Since his team was done for the tournament, I knew he wasn’t working us for a future game. It was refreshing to meet that coach.

Second, yesterday during our third consecutive game of a boy’s JV tournament (6 teams who like to run). One of the coaches had been chirping most of the first half, mostly wanting 3-seconds. I was cutting him some slack because I figure it can be frustrating during a tournament because different officials call differently. At a TO I get with my partner to make sure he is aware that we are just under the one minute mark and he mentions he told the coach to “let it go” on the 3-seconds. We are going down the floor just after play resumes and I hear a whistle. Partner has T’d the coach. At half I asked him what he said to get the T…he said “Nothing in particular, I’m just too old and too tired to listen to that young kid chirp so I shut him up.” I can honestly say…I have never T’d a coach because I was tired. In fact, if I am unusually tired or not 100% I give the coach more rope in an effort not to let that influence me. Different strokes for different folks I guess.