Quote:
Originally Posted by bob jenkins
A couple of things:
1) I hope they defined "cursing" because what I consider acceptable, you might not (and vice-versa). (If a player misses a lay-up and exclaims "damn" to himself, but another player happens to be standing nearby, is that a T?)
2) What's acceptable to me varies by level, volume, specific word and to whom it's directed. The higher we go, the more that's allowed. The louder it is, the more likely it's a T. The "F" word is more likely to get a T than the "D" word. And anything directed at the other team or an official likely earns a T.
3) Just because I might not issue a T in some set of circumstances, doesn't mean it's not addressed. THere's a whole reange of actions, from ignoring it, through talking to the player, to issuing a T, to ejecting. I've used all of the above.
|
The above speaks volumes. Many of the coaches of teams I officiate know I am also a preacher. My definition of cursing includes "euphemisms" and they are just as offensive to me as the real words.
So you can see I am in a situation where if I T a player I run the risk of being accused of having rabbit ears, or just being too quick to T and not allow the player to let off some steam after making a mistake.
Over the years I have found the system that works best for me and the coaches. Like Rut said nothing is automatic. But using preventative officiating to let players know I heard their language coupled with communication with the coaches then the player can get the message from both me and his coach that such verbiage is unnacceptable and will result in the proper penalty if uttered again.