[JRutledge]

I also wanted to add that I am against "hanging your partner out to dry." When you do answer questions from a coach, you must be supportive and tell the coach that they "got it right" when you can. All I am purposing, is that you do not get in the habit of answering things you did not see. Tell the coach in a proper way that "my partner had a much better look than you or I" and move on. I always tell my partners to have a coach ask me about what I did, because I realize that they do not have a clue what I might have called. I work several games with the same partners, but when I do work with guys I am unfamiliar with, I tell them they do not have to explain for my boneheaded decisions. I can answer for myself and encourage them to tell coaches that. And if I call something that is not clear, I will explain it if I can.

OZ Referee, I agree that you should not just pass the buck if you will. You must be firm about sticking together, but you should not have to answer for things you do not understand or did not see. And if you do as much 3 Person games as I do, you understand that if you are looking off-ball like you are suppose too, you will not see many on-ball fouls and off-ball fouls if have the ball in your area. You should not just say "that was not my area," but you should be able to say, "coach, I have not clue what he saw but he sure did have a better look than I did. I am sure he/she will explain it when they get the chance." Then they will not be coming to you the whole game about things you did not see or did not realize what exactly was called.

And I must clarify, I am talking about 3 Person mostly. In 2 Person, you see much more of what is being called by your partner. And I am also talking about varsity and up level games. Coaches are "usually" much better understanding and reasonable the higher you move up the ladder. And because you "usually" are working with more seasoned officials, you can get away with this and have no problem. But when you do those JV and Junior High Games, you might have to stand up more for your partner and just tell him or her, "that was a good call." These coaches do not understand that there is a way to get the information they need without being a azzhole about it. So they tend to fly off the handle more and do not understand that the Trail probably did not see the call the Lead made under the basket.

Hope that clarifies.

Peace