[Smitty]

Originally posted by DownTownTonyBrown

Exactly. It keeps the game going. A continuous flow is what makes the game exciting. Listening to those beautiful whistles isn't it. Watching a throw-in isn't it. Admiring the capable talent of shooting a free throw isn't it. IT IS THE ACTION.

If you can keep the game rolling and not need to call the minor/inconsequential fouls and violations, you end up with a much better result. Happy fans. Happy players. Content coaches (well maybe). Preventive officiating keeps the action coming. [/B]

I think we could all probably say that the best games we have worked are those that had good flow, lots of end-to-end action and were close, well played games. I can see both sides of the arguments mentioned in this thread. I tend to talk to the players during moments where that particular player would be doing something that required me to blow my whistle if they were involved in the play or the offensive player was making a play. I will talk to the players when I can, but will not hesitate to blow the whistle when I believe an advantage is gained. I also have to remember that it's the players who determine the flow of the game, not me.