[Rich]

Originally Posted by Deeps12

That's my point, Rich! All levels should handle this situation the same! Flag-happy toward coaches isn't right for ANY level!

And it isn't YOUR game!!! It's those kids' who practice every day, those coaches who bring it home to their families! No, you aren't their hired help, but it isn't your field or your game. And it is just as much your responsibility is to keep those coaches and kids out of trouble IF at all possible. When you see two kids pushing after the play, and recogize the potential for a UNR late hit or a punch, do you just sit back and watch and let them hang themself? No, you rush in, get in the middle of them, provide a visual or physical deterrence. Namely, you become a good preventative dead ball official. YOU KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE. I'm not gonig to let them walk all over me, granted; but UNS fouls should be avoided when possible. In Roamin's case, I feel it possible.

Though many of these responses dissapoint me, everybody is entitled to their opinions. I just hope we all can have the ability to check our egos at the door when stepping on the field.

As for me, I've got a freshman game to work in about an hour. I'll pretty much guarantee you a coach won't be flagged, nor will one be flagged at my varsity game Friday night, nor will one be flagged at the game (no less, no more important) that I will work this weekend. So spare me the 'We prefer to handle things right FOR THIS LEVEL' commentary; as my RESPECTFUL comments weren't meant to big-time anybody and were perfectly suitable to ANY level.

Isn't there anybody out there who agrees with my commentary, or are we all adopting a confrontational attitude toward those 'enemy' coaches?!!

It's my field and my game just as much as theirs. We'll just disagree on this one. I prepare and bring things home and work hard, just like they do. We're the third team out there. Pride and ego are two different things.

But I guess you'll be just like those coaches on TV. With cotton in your ears ignoring everything they say, no matter how unsportsmanlike.

It's not confrontational to punish unsportsmanlike conduct. Do you honestly think that we don't talk to coaches -- that we don't try to keep them from crossing the line? Please. I flagged a coach last year in a varsity game after we ejected a player of his for spearing. I gave him every chance to attend to his injured player and stop screaming at me near the hashmarks on his way to the player. I even tried to walk away from him. Eventually, the flag's gotta come out, though. It's got nothing to do with ego. I'm in charge, not him.

When they do cross the line, well, then we're passing on our responsibility if we don't penalize.

And our responsibility is quite different in a freshman game than in a D-I college game. If you don't see or understand that, then I certainly won't be able to change your mind.