quote:
Originally posted by Alaska Ref on 01-31-2000 02:52 AM
[D]on't give a rule's clinic . . .
[T]here is nothing wrong in letting a coach know that you screwed one up . . .
Two outstanding pieces of advice (and I was fortunate to receive both during my first couple of years).
I apologize now that this post is long, but . . .
Handling coaches is not an exact science and every official needs to develop there own style. What works for one may not work for another - and the situation may dictate your actions even further.
I compare it to learning to drive a stick shift - you can't explain it to someone, you need to get your own feel for it.
Examples from my own experience:
(1) JV boys game my second or third year - I'm trail opposite the table and a loose ball comes rolling toward half court. B1 dives for it, secures it and slides a good five or six feet. Coach A yells, "That's a walk!" I shake my head. A1 comes in (maybe for a held ball?) and slams into B1's back, I'll call a foul.
As I report, coach A is glaring at me and asks, loudly, Why didn't you call the walk?" I go over, lean in and quietly explain (so as not to embarrass him), "Coach as long as he doesn't roll over or get up, he's fine." He yells in my face, "You're wrong!"
Being in a good mood, I stand up and say, authoritatively, "Coach, if you're going to question my calls, learn the rules first. Now not another word." As I turn, I see my partner (also a close friend since before we became officials) start to smile. A split second later I hear, well, another word. So I spin, and deliver a calm Technical foul. I gave him an explanation and a chance. He didn't take either.
(2) The very first varsity game I ever did was as a replacement official for someone who didn't show up. My third year, I was assigned a good JV game (4A - PA's highest) and busted my butt. After the game, there's only one official, so out I walk to do the varisty game - and everyone in the stands (not to mention the coaches) knows I'm the "JV official."
Jump ball, home team's first trip down the floor, the ball goes down to their big man who goes up strong, is bumped a little (IMHO, not enough for a foul call), and misses the shot. As I come down the floor (trail, table side), the coach yells, "You've got to call that up here!" I ignore him.
Next trip down, ball down to their big man, who shuffles his feet, and I call travelling. As I come down the floor, the coach hollers, "I knew I should have asked for the other guy!" I still ignore him.
Next trip down, ball down to their big man, and (can you guess?) he rams his shoulder into the defender to make space, and I come out strong with a player control. Crowd goes ballistic.
After I report the foul, I'm about to cross to new lead, opposite the table, the coach kicks the bleachers (we have a bench rule in PA) and screams, "You're never working in this gym again!" I turn my head, never break stride, look him dead in the eye, shrug my shoulders and say, "No problem, there's forty other schools around here coach." He didn't say a word to me the rest of the game.
(3) Again my third year, doing a JV boys game between to big rivals. It's the last game of the season and it's also something called "Sibling Night," so what would normally be a big crowd anyway is supplemented with literally hundreds of screaming kids (yes, for the JV game).
Midway through the third quarter of a very close and very hard-fought game, I call a foul on the home team and move to report it (perhaps a little to close to the benches). The home coach says something as I'm about to report that I couldn't hear, so I said, "Hold on a second coach," and I report the foul. Then, thinking he was asking a question about my call (which was a hold on the low post opposite his bench - so he probably didn't get a good look at it), I took a step closer and leaned in and said, "I'm sorry coach, I didn't hear what you said." He snarls, "I said, 'that was a bulls*** call.' " I pause for moment and say, "Coach, since I didn't hear it the first time, I'll pretend I didn't hear it the second time." Caught off guard he smiled and nodded his head.
(4) I'm lead, working too close to the lane when the ball is in my primary below the foul line. As I slide out (late) to get a look at the play, the ball goes out of bounds and I make a call. As I'm about to administer the throw-in the coach is upset - but not rude. He says, "I think you blew that one." I back up to count for the throw-in and without turning my head, I said, "Coach, I didn't get a good look at that one, I was out of position. I promise it won't happen again." He replied, "Good enough for me."
The point of this incredibly long post? Don't be afraid to take care of business, but don't be afraid to develop your own style in handling coaches. Listen to everybody's advice and intergrate what you like and disregard what you don't.
Good luck!
tmm
[This message has been edited by Todd (Mike) Mullen (edited January 31, 2000).]