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For the first time in about 6 years I worked some AAU games a few weeks ago. I worked some when I first started officiating and now that I have more experience I've got a new perspective on it....
Worked a pair of games up in the Couv (Vancouver, WA). Good partner I've worked with before, both in HS and rec ball. Both teams were fairly well coached, but man both of these coaches were SCREAMING at their kids. A kid (6th grader), missed a pass on a press and this led to a turnover. Coach yells at the kid "YOU SIT DOWN NOW..WHEN I TELL YOU TO MAKE THAT PASS YOU BETTER AS HELL MAKE IT!!" My partner then tells the coach to watch his tone with the kids..coach turns to him and says "I'LL TALK TO MY SON WHATEVER G-- D--- WAY I FEEL LIKE IT!!" Partner whacked him. He couldn't believe it, he was dumbfounded. At a timeout, he and game management wonder why he received the T. We explained the rules about cursing and abuse from coaches to players (using NFHS rules). He still didn't like it, but he didn't yell at his players anymore..
(I wouldn't have issued the T for the coach - player "conversation." But it was within the rules and I backed my partner when it came time to)
Both games I worked were close/good ones. The second game a team with 20 players lost to team with 5. Coach for team 20 pulled his players after every single mistake, missed layup etc...
However, both games I worked the coaches/fans were even more inept about the rules of the game then even a HS freshman coach... When they didn't like the call and they turned on me, however they just got the "look" from me
Definately an interesting change of pace from HS ball. I'd still rather do AAU ball then adult rec league ball...
I'm just glad when my son is of age that we aren't going to put his whole stock in a travelling AAU team. I don't think I could ever sit in the stands and let my son be treated the ways these coaches treated these kids. There are more important things when it comes to playing basketball, like having fun and enjoying yourself.....
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