Pushy Coaches
 

Hey all, had just my second varsity game of my career (it was girls) last night. The game isn't too different, just the coaches are a lot more animated and will get on you more, especially if you're a fresh face like me.

At some point during the third quarter one of the teams started pressing. And I kid you not, on five (5) straight possessions up the floor, that team's coach is in my ear screaming for travels. Five. I mean, girls are barely touching the ball before passing it off to beat the press and he's like "Walk! That's a WALK!" After the third possession I tell him, "We hear you, Coach." After the last time, he growls at me, "This is varsity. Not JV anymore. You need to be making those calls."

I found this extremely condescending and really wanted to whack him, but he hadn't said anything profane and it probably wasn't a good idea to whack someone in my second varsity game, so I look him square in the eye and say, like a teacher to a kindergartner, "Coach. Stop. Now." I run back down the court and hear him muttering something about "Call the walks yadda yadda yadda."

What are some go-to phrases that you all use to get a coach off your back? Should I have whacked him?

After I give the stop sign, like when you told him "Stop", any more words about that issue is a tech.

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Yes.

If anything, "coach, I'm watching and that was not a travel." Next comment, let him know that's enough.

After you warned him and he made that comment, the only thing you're saying is to the table. "technical foul, yada yada yada"

'Nough Said ...
 

I don't have the luxury of actually knowing exactly how animated he/she was or wasn't (You are obviously new to that level). Most occasions I'm just continuing to officiate. If they have a valid question I give a short and concise answer when possible. I expect them to be animated and work me for calls (In most cases it means they give a $hit). If you are too quick to give the stop sign for a little emotion it could seem dismissive, and that you aren't equipped to handle that kind of conflict(if you engage to much they will eat you). As you progress upward being able to handle/manage and resolve conflict during games with players and coaches is the game. Lean on veterans for advice, and know that they know you are new. That's most likely why you will be tested. Court presence, posture, mechanics all give positive impressions.

Cleaver phases and comebacks often seem gimmicky. Be yourself, honest and approachable. Don't try to be a pleaser, or someone that has to explain everything. Some guys want to be liked too much.


....or maybe you were missing all those travels IDK:p

What I would do, and I have done with this one goes like this

"You're right coach. Here's one."
*tweet*
T

I don't need a coach reminding me what level I am officiating or what the next level down is. Especially loud enough for anyone else besides me and him/her to have heard it.

The first time a coach barks at me I tell him the following, "you can talk to me like an adult, but if you are going to shout at me like I'm one of your kids I don't tolerate that."

I then go on my merry way.

It can also help if you use some phrase like "the right foot was the pivot and it didn't move".

Presumably you (the OP) had two experiences V partners -- what did they say about the issue? A lot of game management is local, and you don't want to be too far away (in either direction) from whatever the norm is there, even if it's not the norm here.

Is Earshot A Real Word ???
 

Agree. It tells the coach that you know what to look for, and know which foot was the pivot foot. Probably a lot more than he knows. If it doesn't shut him up, it will, at least, have him scratching his head for a few seconds and give you time to move out of earshot.

One guy with 30+ years, another guy in his fifth or sixth year I think. It's funny, the more experienced guy said "Ask him which foot was the pivot foot." in the car after the game. That actually makes a lot of sense.

This was my first game at this particular school about an hour away from my hometown, but somehow still in a district with my local schools. The coach in question was from the visiting team, it was a non-district game so I likely won't be seeing that coach again any time soon.

You asked, so CLICK HERE to find out.

Thanks ...
 

It's a good thing that you were within earshot to answer my question.

Don't you just love the Google?

I think he earned a T, but your response may have been effective.

In my opinion, if you look like a "fresh face", it might be good to let him know that he can't bark at you. I suspect it would depend on whether your assignor would support it.

Sometimes coaches are right when they yell for three seconds and sometimes they are right when they yell for travels. Players are taught to walk into their jump shot and often travel, but it isn't called. I have been told by a veteran college official that a good response to comments from a coach who wants that to be called is "We're not splitting hairs tonight". Of course, that is better received if it comes from a veteran.

I also think many players travel when they catch the ball on the run, but we shouldn't be looking for "gotcha" travels when we're the only ones in the gym who can see it.

BillyMac, you have all the great pictures to share.

Interesting. I've always called it because I think they gain an advantage by walking into their shot without dribbling. I think this is a different discussion for a different thread though. Carry on.

OP: As soon as he tells you something along the lines of you being a JV official...ring him up. You've earned your way to the varsity level.

Coaches are never right when they yell for anything. deecee has it right. Another version of what he said is, "You're hear to coach your players, not me."

Anytime a coach says something personal or questions your integrity, those things need to be addressed. Giving a T for this is easy. You let that go on way too long and should have just T'd him and that would have sent the message. If he continued, well sometimes when the roll the dice, they just might crap out.

I get the apprehension as you are new, but you do not have to be disrespected to do your job.

I also want to get away from telling people what to say on these things because you have to say things that fit your personality and your sense of humor. Also of what you have to say has to come natural and has to fit situation. Some of us are funny, straight forward, sarcastic, hard-azzed and just plain grumpy, so you have to do what works mostly for you.

Peace

What Jeff said.

One other thought: You rarely regret the technicals you call. Many times you regret those you don't.

I'll admit it: I regret not calling one last night in a girls game. The visiting HC was down 30+ in the 4th quarter getting turboclocked and said something T-worthy. It wasn't that bad but it would have been a good ABS technical. I didn't pull the trigger and it's bothering me today.

Looks like JetMetFan was right.


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With eye contact, and a hand on my chest, slowly, "Coach... we got this."

Used this one yesterday. Coach A wanted three seconds on his opposition on B. (Second half, so opposite end.) It wasn't the first time. As the T (2 man), I paused a second to make sure B-1 wasn't leaving the lane, and I got that call, then gave my look and line to Coach A.

His reply, "Oh, I wasn't talking to you. I was letting my kids know they're in the lane too long."

I tend to agree, if they are gonna bring the level of the game and the level of our officiating into it, that's an automatic for me. In this situation, he may not have directly came out and said the OP was JV official, but it was definitely hinted it.

In your situation, he is definitely borderline on being whacked. Especially since you said you warned him after the 3rd time and he still kept going, I am whacking him.

As you get more experienced you'll learn when to whack a coach and when to just warn.

As far as phrases to use, "stop" or "I've heard enough" pretty much mean the coach's leash is gone. Anything more and he's getting whacked.

In some cases, just saying stuff like "We'll watch for it coach" or "I'm taking a look" or "I hear you coach" will work. It all depends on the coach.

When you said this, and he said this, is when the T happens.

Whack. Seriously. That's the spot and don't let that go.

I'm way more likely to T a coach here than I am to T a coach for mumbling.

Grats on getting some varsity! Keep it up, dealing with coaches will come with time.

Yep. No reason to deal with disrespect. He's on a real short leash the rest of the game with me for that one.

The thing with warnings is you have to follow through when they run through them. There's nothing borderline here.

Well, I had worked the JV game beforehand too, so he wasn't entirely wrong. Whatever the case, I now know I should have given him a T.

I've only given one in my four-plus years of officiating--rung up a kid for clapping in his opponent's face after blocking a shot. That one was a no-brainer.

That...and going after my partner(s). Filled in last minute for two in a JV Boys tourney last week. Coach starts in on me needing to help my partner. I said "Coach, change topics I don't want to hear it." He continued so I said "Coach, last time. You will not talk about my partner to me." When he kept going...WHACK. He even had the never to ask "What was that for?" I just looked at him after reporting and said "Really?" and walked away.

Yes he was. He didn't have a JV official in his varsity game, he had a varsity official in his JV game. He should consider himself fortunate.

Officials need to stop thinking that technical fouls are something to be avoided at all costs. Sometimes a coach has one coming and not giving one encourages bad behavior. Warn once...if he comes back again, whack him and move on.

Our assignor spoke to this exact issue at meeting yesterday. Basically the gist is this: Penalize unsporting behavior!!!! Don't go looking for trouble but don't run from it either.


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