Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevadaref
Two points which are pertinent to this discussion, which I posted earlier, and for some reason Bob deleted are: calling coaches and players by their names when officiating and physically touching the players during the game.
There are vast differences of opinions on these two points. There are some officials who believe that both of these are fine and help establish a good rapport with the participants and can prevent a great deal of trouble. There are others, mostly the newer breed, who seem overly concerned with political correctness and lawsuits and seem to believe that engaging in either is a criminal act.
I don't see why Bob deleted that part of my previous post, especially since other posters have continued the thread by discussing my first point.
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I would fall into the newer breed. I'm starting my 5th year of officiating.
I don't have much of an opinion on the names deal. We have have 112 HS with between 4-6 coaches per team. You would have to ref a awful long time to develop a rapport with all of them..I keep it polite and professional. I call them coach. No one has ever had a problem with that.
I'm also not a toucher.
Not because of wanting to look PC but I feel its not appropriate for someone my age to be touching high school boys and girls.
I know there are exceptions to every rule and if some kids life was in danger I would break my own rule . But generally speaking I have a pretty strict hands off policy, which I comfortable with...To each his own...
Lawsuits are something to be concerned about. Does it happen that much, apparently not, but it does happen. I have assets. I want to keep my assets. We all know there are people out there willing to sue over anything. I try to limit my exposure to those people and circumstances.
That helps and also I have my own personal liability insurance that covers my assets and then some.So I'm good.