Quote:
Originally posted by stripes
Generally as HS officials, I believe that we take way too much crap from coaches.
|
Without addressing Juulie's case specifically, this is absolutely true. Officials take much more abuse, derision, argumentation, venom, and just plain crap from coaches than anyone should take. Part of the problem is that we don't want to be seen as thin-skinned b/c that will slow our climb up the ranks. Also, I think there's a recognition that the T is the second most serious penalty we can give to an individual, and we don't want to be seen as heavy-handed.
I'll share a story, for what it's worth. I went to camp a couple summers ago. It was for 3-person mechanics. I was trail on bench side. As clock winds down in the 2nd half, A1 makes a quick move from the top of the FT circle toward the basket. He beats his man badly and B1 grabs A1's jersey and pulls him backwards to prevent the layup. My partner (the C) puts up a fist, and I put up an intentional.
B's coach goes nuts, comes 2 steps onto the floor, yelling. I signal him to go back to the bench (which he does, with some help from an assistant) and I report the foul.
After the game, one of the observers comes over to me and puts an arm around my shoulder. He says very calmly, "Chuck, you're a nice guy. But you can't always be the nice guy. If you're going to be a good basketball official, you can
not let people s**t on you." He patted me on the back and walked away.
A simple truth, but for some reason, we don't remember it on the court. We're not there as a release valve for the coach's frustration. We're not worthy of less respect simply b/c we wear stripes.
Just my 2 cents, but unless you're Billy Crystal in
Forget Paris, you will probably never have to feel sorry about giving a T.
Chuck