Hmmm, I'm struggling with this one JCrow. I agree the game should be fun. It shouldn't be all about winning and losing. But the game isn't about the coach either.
Basic facts of game-day life:
- Once the officials take the floor, it's their game
- That means it's no longer your game
- Yes, it's still about the kids
- But it's not about you
- Because it's a competitive event, a neutral 3rd party is required to ensure the contest is fair
- The rules are there for the same reason
- They ensure that, to the extent possible, the game is played fairly
- AND that the administrative crap that none of us like to deal with and EVERYBODY has differing opinions on, is at least handled consistently
You talk about life lessons, and then you DEMONSTRATE open disrespect for authority? You just taught those kids that it's better to play by your own rules. You just taught those kids that any rule you don't agree with can be cast aside for no better reason than because you don't agree with it. And you've just taught those (mis)lessons to a group of impressionable kids who will remember your lesson for a long, long time. A group of kids, by the way, who don't yet have the maturity and philosophical framework to understand the subtle difference between "not insisting the other guy be penalized for his mistake" and "refusing to obey the laws of a civilized society."