[mick]

Originally posted by Goose
For all of you who enjoyed my triad, thanks. It's been a long winter for me. After nearly 20 years, it has not been easy starting over in another part of the country.

Anyway, to those of you who ask the coach, "Coach, are your players properly equipped?" My question to you is what if during the game you discover they aren't?

Again, is this his fault or your teams fault? Aren't we supposed to check to insure that the players are dressed properly and that no jewelry, hard braces, etc. are worn?

So, what if you discover that player "x" is not properly dressed after the game has started. Do you "T" the coach? Just what is your procedure for handling a stray ear ring? Look, I know you will make them take it off, but I'm trying to make you see the bigger picture.

To me the point is moot. Are these associations now saying that we do not have to check for illegal uniforms, ear rings, long fingernails, undergarments, etc.? If this is the case, then I'm all for it. If it is not, then what is the point in asking the coach this question if in the end my partners and myself are still responsible?

And furthermore, if there is no penalty involved when found out, again, what is the purpose? Idle chatter to me.

As far as the coaches being part of the pregame with the captains, I don't have a problem with that, and in fact would rather drop the captains and simply speak to the coaches and let him or her relay the information to his or her players. Captains never pay attention anyway and it used to become somewhat of a running joke with guys I worked with to see who could do the pregame the quickest. I was told more than once by D-1 college guys (this includes camp) that if it lasted more than 10 seconds, you were talking to much. So I tend to make it short and sweet. The fewer words I say the better.

As for rapport with the coaches, I'm all for that too, but at what cost? One coach always thinks that the other coach is getting over on one or all the ref's if a ref is chatting with a coach. I never call a coach by his first name either even if I know him. I just address them as "coach" and I expect them to address me as "ref" and not use my name. If they do use my name, I will be quick to let them know I would appreciate it if they simply call me ref. If the other coach hears that, I could be in for and even longer night.

But all this conferencing with players and coaches is beginning to be just to much for me, as it really does nothing. Ohh, it does do something. More often than not, I have heard a coach say, watch so-and-so because last time we played, they did this or that. Just another opportunity to add their pre-game 2 cents into the mix.

As I said, the less I have to speak with the coach, the better.

goose

goose,
RE: " My question to you is what if during the game you discover they aren't?"
I ask them to remove it, or sit.

RE: The rest
How do you really feel about it?

mick