[samj]

I guess I just have the right demeanor. I am definitely not quick to react. I have never had an athlete even come close to deserving a technical. It is also important to point out that I officiate in a very rural area. When a coach is getting close I simply go over to him/her and put up the hand (stop sign) and say coach, I have heard enough. This has always worked for me. I have worked with other officials that have called technicals on coaches, but probably less than five times. I think it is important to point out that I am not in a hurry to move up the ranks. All of the games I have officiated are at the JV level, so I believe the coaches are a little more passive. Another point is that my father in law is an excellent official and has has two state final games in Pennsylvania and rarely calls a technical. I try to emulate his demeanor on the court of showing respect to coaches and players, but at the same time letting them know who is in charge. He has told me that if the coach has a legitimate question to at least acknowledge them and try to explain if possible. He then mentioned that if you give them the stop sign and it continues to bang them.