Quote:
Originally posted by JRutledge
Tommy,
That is so true. When I answer in a direct way without hyperbole or trying to pull the wool over their eyes, they act as if I called their mother all kinds of names. I think I might go back to not saying anything at all.
Peace
|
JRut
Coaches generally ask questions to see if we are full of crap based on what they saw (or didn't see for that matter). You can give a great explanation, but rare is the coach that is going to change their point of view and say that we actually got it right. The coach that asks a question has probably figured out that making statements really doesn't help that coach when they are trying to "work" an official. This way they appear to be a "friendly" coach.
Most questions and comments are used by coaches to figure out what they can get away with or as an exploratory tool to see if the official is qualified (in their mind) to work that particular game by being able to provide an answer that will satisfy them.
The fact is this, coaches are generally paranoid and think that officials are out to get them. The don't care one little bit about the officials that work their games. Do they hang out with referees outside of games and the occassional bump into them by accident? If they did we would get cards for our birthdays and Christmas. They only care about winning and if they don't get that from the official on their floor that game, they think we screwed them.
I got this valuable piece of info from a D1 ref I know and I have incorporated it so that it fits me. But, as far as I am concerned, they can ask questions any time, but I have the choice as to the timing of my reply. If the game is in need of my complete attention, I might reply, "Now is not a good time, coach." Then a little later I get back to them, "Still have a question coach?" I believe that they are entitled to a reply, but we aren't going to have constant questions, especially if it becomes a distraction.
[Edited by icallfouls on Dec 12th, 2005 at 11:49 AM]