Quote:
Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch
Generally, I would agree with you on your thoughts about why you wouldn't whack the middle schooler for this, however what would you do if you had an opposing coach starts questioning you on why you didn't whack it? Are you going to whack that coach when he/she goes off on you for not whacking it? I had the same dilemma in a freshman football game when it came to lining up in the neutral zone and those little things, and it got ugly enough that I had to flag the coach for USC. Sometimes a little teaching sounds great, but there's always an a**hole waiting for you to flag or whack that s**t and ends up getting the flag or whacked.
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Situations like this are thankfully rare. It's usually a kid having a brain fart or lacking the kind of situational awareness that comes with time and experience. Although, I'm starting to like the idea of enforcement as a teaching tool to help facilitate that experience.
But, to your point. I have had coaches question this before. And I've had pretty good success saying, "Coach, I would do the same thing for your kids." Most good coaches understand where you're coming from.
But occasionally a coach will go off. Why? Sometimes he's frustrated, and taking it out on me. Some coaches just don't get it. Sometimes its tactical, creating a scene trying to intimidate me or to get his way by making it less painful to just give him what he wants. Note that all of these are "him issues" not "me issues". Unfortunately for him, I will not take abuse, I do not intimidate, and tantrums do not sway me. If you don't believe me, I'd be happy to provide you with references, both coaches and my children.
Sure, after a game like that I may re-think my approach to future situations. I don't like pain any more than you do. My goal is to achieve a good outcome to every situation. Some days I get better results than others. But I cannot let fear of a grown adult's potentially adverse reaction to dictate how I handle situations.