Chess ref,
You said this is your first year. If you don't learn to get past these game situations in a way you're comfortable with then you won't have many years ahead of you. It's not your partner's fault the coaches were gunning for you. It's the way the world works. If they were on you the whole game then *you* let it happen. Stick 'em early & often, no warning. If you stick around you'll get a reputation for taking care of business and they'll leave you alone. If they don't just keep stickin' 'em.
As for pregame BS'ing with coaches, I don't do it except quick pleasantries. Once in a while I'll have a partner who does it to excess, I just go to the other side of the floor. If they're doing it in the locker room before the game I give them a few minutes then politely tell the coach to beat it, we need to prepare. No big deal.
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