How to deal with stupid dad?

[joemoore]

Ignoring it is usually the best approach. If I can't tune him out, I try to answer the guy to myself in my mind -- (I was in the right position, it looked like the tag was made, I called him out.) Or sometimes -- (Damn, I should've gotten in better position, I'm not sure whether he got the tag down or not.) Just be careful not to dwell on it because then you can mess up the count or miss something else.

When I was learning, I thought it was my duty to make everyone on the field and stands agree with me. If a coach disagreed with my call, and still disagreed after I explained the rule, I would become frustrated and launch him.

Once I realized that I had authority to make rulings, and they have the right to disgree and be wrong (or protest and prove me wrong) it was easier for me to avoid getting flustered.

As for judgement calls, all you can do is try to get into position and call what you see. On close plays, half the people there will disagree anyway. Once I accepted the fact that I wasn't perfect, it was easier for me to deal with the disagreements.

[Edited by joemoore on Jun 14th, 2002 at 09:49 AM]