Whacked my first of the season tonight

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Rich

"I've never had to whack a coach"

Sound the alarm bells.

What?

[ODog]

I think what everyone is saying, SD, is that if you have never whacked a coach, you: A.) likely haven't done too many games, or B.) are far too permissive in what behavior you allow to continue. Could be both, but it's definitely not neither.

I'm happy you feel your approach is working for you so far. I can only hope your assignors agree. Remember, you WILL be giving technicals to coaches as long as you continue in this avocation, regardless of how you approach them or how much "respect" or "rapport" you feel has been built up.

And if you're a year or two in, and still haven't given any, your schedule (or lack thereof) might reflect that.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by ODog

I think what everyone is saying, SD, is that if you have never whacked a coach, you: A.) likely haven't done too many games, or B.) are far too permissive in what behavior you allow to continue. Could be both, but it's definitely not neither.

I'm happy you feel your approach is working for you so far. I can only hope your assignors agree. Remember, you WILL be giving technicals to coaches as long as you continue in this avocation, regardless of how you approach them or how much "respect" or "rapport" you feel has been built up.

And if you're a year or two in, and still haven't given any, your schedule (or lack thereof) might reflect that.

Been officiating for 10 years and I am a state tourney official. I do about 50 to 60 nights per year on the high school level. I would say that I have done my fair share of games, have plenty of experience, and that the athletic directors like me since they continue to give me as many games as I can handle. We don't have assignors here. The individual schools handle it.

I do have a pretty thick skin, but I honestly believe my approach works.

I have no doubt that someday I will have to give a coach a "T", but so far not one. Now kids are another story..........

[Dad]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

Been officiating for 10 years and I am a state tourney official. I do about 50 to 60 nights per year on the high school level. I would say that I have done my fair share of games, have plenty of experience, and that the athletic directors like me since they continue to give me as many games as I can handle. We don't have assignors here. The individual schools handle it.

I do have a pretty thick skin, but I honestly believe my approach works.

I have no doubt that someday I will have to give a coach a "T", but so far not one. Now kids are another story..........

Does your state exist?

I know of an official in our association who's never given a coach a T. I cringe every time we're assigned together because the game is going to last 20-30 minutes longer than it needs to.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Dad

Does your state exist?

I know of an official in our association who's never given a coach a T. I cringe every time we're assigned together because the game is going to last 20-30 minutes longer than it needs to.

I see where you are going with that and that's not me. My games are no longer than anybody else's. I just get along with all of the refs and I let them plead their cases when the time is right and the game isn't interrupted. Sounds like most of you guys can't say the same?

[UNIgiantslayers]

I wouldn't say I'm confrontational, and I think I allow (what sounds like) a longer leash than most. I will not put up with disrespect, constant whining, or coaches trying to bully me. I'll let them vent a few times a game, but they need to know where I draw my line and if they can't figure it out after I tell them once, the other team is shooting 2.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

I wouldn't say I'm confrontational, and I think I allow (what sounds like) a longer leash than most. I will not put up with disrespect, constant whining, or coaches trying to bully me. I'll let them vent a few times a game, but they need to know where I draw my line and if they can't figure it out after I tell them once, the other team is shooting 2.

I feel the same way and that's exactly how I have handled it for 10 years. I just haven't gotten to the "other team shooting 2" part yet. It hasn't been needed.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

... I let them plead their cases when the time is right and the game isn't interrupted. Sounds like most of you guys can't say the same?

When coaches are pleading their case is not when I've whacked them. Most coaches pleading their case are not being disrespectful, just whiny.

I'm sure I've T'd less than 1 coach per season on average.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

... and that the athletic directors like me since they continue to give me as many games as I can handle. We don't have assignors here. The individual schools handle it.

...

That may explain why you haven't T'd any coaches.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

That may explain why you haven't T'd any coaches.

Negative. A lot of the AD's are very supportive of the refs and want us to T up the coach if they cross the line.

I'm not worried about getting hired.

[Rich]

Neither am I.

I don't throw them around like candy at a Halloween parade, but I have a clear line that results in free throws being shot if it's crossed. I'll talk to a coach all day if he's asking questions. I'll let a coach complain, too -- if it's just a quick comment here and there, I may or may not even acknowledge it.

But there are simply too many officials who *will not* pull the trigger on coaches who clearly cross the line and, to me, that just legitimizes the behavior. Most officials who say "I haven't called a technical in 20 years" don't do so because they are afraid of their schedules or just think it's easier to turn down the hearing aids and get through the game.

HS athletics are an extension of the classroom. Not calling a technical on a coach that deserves one teaches the wrong lesson, in my opinion.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Rich

Neither am I.

I don't throw them around like candy at a Halloween parade, but I have a clear line that results in free throws being shot if it's crossed. I'll talk to a coach all day if he's asking questions. I'll let a coach complain, too -- if it's just a quick comment here and there, I may or may not even acknowledge it.

But there are simply too many officials who *will not* pull the trigger on coaches who clearly cross the line and, to me, that just legitimizes the behavior. Most officials who say "I haven't called a technical in 20 years" don't do so because they are afraid of their schedules or just think it's easier to turn down the hearing aids and get through the game.

HS athletics are an extension of the classroom. Not calling a technical on a coach that deserves one teaches the wrong lesson, in my opinion.

My personal problem with coaches is that I simply ignore them too much. I hear when they ask questions and I engage with them then, but when they are complaining, I simply don't notice for the most part.

It's been a few years since I've T'd a coach and I suspect that I've missed at least a couple in that time period.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Rich

Neither am I.

I don't throw them around like candy at a Halloween parade, but I have a clear line that results in free throws being shot if it's crossed. I'll talk to a coach all day if he's asking questions. I'll let a coach complain, too -- if it's just a quick comment here and there, I may or may not even acknowledge it.

But there are simply too many officials who *will not* pull the trigger on coaches who clearly cross the line and, to me, that just legitimizes the behavior. Most officials who say "I haven't called a technical in 20 years" don't do so because they are afraid of their schedules or just think it's easier to turn down the hearing aids and get through the game.

HS athletics are an extension of the classroom. Not calling a technical on a coach that deserves one teaches the wrong lesson, in my opinion.

I agree. It just hasn't gotten to that point yet in the games I officiate.