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The last time I had a partner try to make up a rule that did not exist, I went to him privately and told him the proper rule. He insisted he was right. I told him that I if I was right, I got his game fee; if he was right, he got mine. It was amazing how suddenly he was not so sure about the proper rule, This discussion took less than 15 seconds.
If that does not work, I agree that the officials cannot continue to argue over the proper rule. Accept the call and move on.
A quick aside....the most uncomfortable "disagreement" I have been party to on a court was at a youth travel league a few years ago. I started what was to be the first of three games with an official, when a third official comes into the gym. There was no doubt I was at the proper gym...but the other two guys both swore they had the assignment too. The latecomer heads over to the school next door, where other games in that league are being played. Ten minutes later he comes back, saying those games are covered, and insisting that this is his game. I have to "referee" this match over who works (and who gets the game fees.) We had already stopped the game once to deal with this...and now the third guy insists that we stop it again so that he can take over. He won't stop. I tell him to wait until halftime; to wait for the next game; to go home and deal with the assignor. It took way too long before he left in a huff.
A couple of hours later the assignor showed up. He had made a mistake and did assign both guys to the same gym. I realize some officials work only for the money...and to lose $120 in fees matters to some. But it was real uncomfortable to watch.
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