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Wake up coaches!!!
A few years ago I was on Court TV with Judge Catherine Crier where I equated officials with judges and asked, "do you hit the judge if you don't like the decision." Catherine replied, "I've had to duck a few times."
Officials represent authority. The decisions they make are the final word. The decisions are based upon judgement, hopefully, solid judgement, like them are not.
So many coaches play a game where they try to influence that judgement and too often weaker officials will succumb to the game.
The line should be the first step toward disrespect. Show ANY disrespect and you are gone. To the bus, period.
But officials let coaches walk the thin gray line and many coaches fall onto the wrong side. Then it is time to blame the officials.
Just last week I ended a youth game when the second coach I ejected refused to leave. All game long these coaches lived on the sideline making it diffuclt to cover plays on that sideline. Needless to say has the reality of the fact they were losing set in the more obnoxious they became until they fell well across the line.
Is this the type of behavior any coach wants to demonstrate to these youngsters? Shouldn't you accept the calls of the officials without dispute? Shouldn't you accept the loss as something you have control over and not take your anger out on the officials?
Offcials should expect total respect from coaches and in turn they should totally respect the coaches. No official ever appears in the scoring column. There may be "bad" calls but some of the play calls coaches make are bad but you don't see referee berating coaches for those calls.
Bottom line, coaches we expect nothing more or nothing less than you to act like gentlemen and show your players good sportsmanship regardless of the score.
[Edited by Ed Hickland on Nov 18th, 2005 at 03:14 PM]
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