[81artmonk]

First I think you are all missing my point. Second, I haven't once questioned your personal abilitly to ref, yet by your responses, you have, some in polite, others in direct ways, put me down simpley for being a coach and/or ignorant of the rules, which I find kinda arrogant and condesending.
From the lastest barrage of responses, I find it hard to believe that you would think a ref wouldn't know the rules at the MS level. Your examples of a 13 yr old knowing more than a coach, I concede that that may be true, but in a rare situation. Why say that anyway? Do you think that because I am a coach, or do you think that some 13yr olds know more than you refs too??
Using parents calling me on the carpet for plays is completely different than reffing. reffing has a set standard rules. Coaching does not. One coach may run this while another doesn't. Although we are bound by human error, to link the two is delinquent.
My final point in all of this is, I was being honest. I never once condemed you personally. I never pointed a finger. I simply stated my opinion and what I got back was some refs who apparently feel slighted in some way. How, I don't know. Did I ever say that you were losers who didn't know what you were doing?? No I simply talked about the refs I experience...not you. To be honest again, I get the impression that you who responded to my posts think coaches are basically the bottom feeders of knowledge and talent. I heard someone make the comment,
"I find it arrogant that a middle school coach actually thinks he knows more than people that likely had to pass a written test and probably attended training classes to discuss everything from rules to mechanic."
So taking a written test means you now more?? Just asking. I think that is arrogant. For the record, I never said that I know more. NEVER! But to think that a ref is above the coach in knowledge is just as arrogant as thinking a 13 yr old is above a coach in knowledge. Listen, the bottom line is, I never called you out personally. I never bad mouthed you on this board. I never said that refs don't know anything. I simply shared my experiences and got tarred and feathered for it. I understand your plight. I would hate to be yelled at every game and think I'm a jerk by parents and coaches alike. I guess i will limit my posts to questions now, knowing that if I share my opinion as a coach I will be, belittled, put down, and made to feel stupid under the mighty knowledge and authority that is a ref! sorry if I hurt anyones feeling I will shut up in the future and only ask questions. thank you for answering my question in the beggining I appreciate your input and knowledge.