[ditttoo]

Just because he's a good "ref" and/or a good "partner" doesn't automatically qualify him as a "good communicator". Not much help if he's putting you off with his feedback regardless of whether the feedback is accurate or not. His purpose should be to "help" with his comments rather than to simply provide the information and let you decide.

"Senior" officials should help those up and comers - someone helped us. Officiating is not an inate skill where you either have it or you don't - it is taught and learned.

Let this guy know, next time, you want his "help" and also let him know that "those before that have offered only negative comments haven't been of much help and that you need his opinions both good and bad". Might even stress the good part. Then take it for what it's meant to be. If he offers "help", then great, but if you get the same old critique, then it's time to move on to someone who can truly help.

Video tape may help you even more...shows everything, good and bad, and is brutally honest.