What have you learned this year?

[BryanV21]

Ignore the coaches.

If they have a question that they have to have answered they'll get my attention eventually. Otherwise I don't want to hear it, and if I do then I'll tag em.

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[Smitty]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

Ignore the coaches.

If they have a question that they have to have answered they'll get my attention eventually. Otherwise I don't want to hear it, and if I do then I'll tag em.

I've learned the opposite - be more approachable to coaches. It has improved my court demeanor significantly. I've found that being more patient and approachable, and even just chatting briefly about the game during dead balls when I'm near the coach has had a very positive affect on my games.

[BatteryPowered]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I've learned the opposite - be more approachable to coaches. It has improved my court demeanor significantly. I've found that being more patient and approachable, and even just chatting briefly about the game during dead balls when I'm near the coach has had a very positive affect on my games.

This

I have, on a few occasions, chatted with a coach. It may be answering a question or it may be just "remembering the olden days". They only last a couple of seconds but it makes you more "human" to them and not just a shirt and whistle.

A good example is a varsity boys game recently. I called a foul on Red 44 and after giving the preliminary call at the spot he said "Yep, got him on the follow through." Apparently the coach heard him and after I reported the foul and get into position as T he asks "Remember when we had to raise our hand when a foul was called?" I chuckled and said "Yep, and I remember getting bird-dogged as well." As he turned he said "The times, they have changed. We're getting old."

Thinking back...darn, he was out of his box...shoulda whacked him.

Just last night in a sub-varsity boys game we had a player getting frustrated. The guy he was charged with covering was only about 4 inches taller and considerable faster. As we were lining up to shoot free-throws I stood next to him and as I "wiped the ball off" on my pants I said to him "Settle down...it's just a basketball game". His teammate on the other side of the lane heard and said "Yea dude...just do the best you can." He was fine after that.

At least for me, talking can...when you pick you spots...go a long way and can keep the game moving.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I've learned the opposite - be more approachable to coaches. It has improved my court demeanor significantly. I've found that being more patient and approachable, and even just chatting briefly about the game during dead balls when I'm near the coach has had a very positive affect on my games.

He actually did not say anything about being less approachable. He said to ignore coaches and often coaches are not asking questions, they are making statements or trying to get a response to things that you cannot win on either way.

I also feel being "approachable" means different things to different people. Some officials feel like they have to respond to coaches about everything and that can be very detracting to the ultimate job and that is to call fouls.

If I have learned anything, just walk away when the conversation is not going anywhere. Better to walk away then keep debating something they are not going to see it your way or agree with your explanation.

Peace

[deecee]

I learned that this is a part time gig, and sometimes coaches/kids/parents react/act like this is our full time job. Do your best but always keep priorities straight. Family-job-refreeing, in that order.

I also learned that I need to lose 15-20 lbs.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

He actually did not say anything about being less approachable. He said to ignore coaches and often coaches are not asking questions, they are making statements or trying to get a response to things that you cannot win on either way.

I also feel being "approachable" means different things to different people. Some officials feel like they have to respond to coaches about everything and that can be very detracting to the ultimate job and that is to call fouls.

If I have learned anything, just walk away when the conversation is not going anywhere. Better to walk away then keep debating something they are not going to see it your way or agree with your explanation.

Peace

Perhaps the word "ignore" is a little harsh, but J gets what I'm saying.

I've worked hard this season at managing the coaches, and that oftentimes means ignoring them unless necessary. That doesn't mean their questions or concerns are ignored, it means anything other than a question/concern is ignored. More often than not they're just blowing off steam, and the more I pay attention to such things the more problems I have to deal with.

And when I said they'd eventually get my attention, it means I'm not going to stop or hold up the game to speak with them. What I may do is wait until I'm close to him and free to talk, then I'll say something like "I heard what you were asking before, I just needed to wait until I got a chance to address you... yada, yada, yada". By doing that I'm not only avoiding any type of hold-up to the game, but the coach may get enough time to cool off over a call he may not have agreed with.

[RedAndWhiteRef]

Definitely agree on the whole "be more approachable to coaches" thing. I used to get bent out of shape when a coach questioned me. Sometimes, they really didn't see what was happening and they're truly just asking. I called a foul once in a tight game and on the way down the court the coach asked me what his player did. I kind of snapped a reply at him and he was like "Whoa, I'm just asking because I didn't see the play!" I felt kinda bad.

I've learned that it's okay to admit you missed a call, whether it's to a coach, player, or your partner. I missed the most obvious travel in VHSL history a few weeks ago, coach was upset. Next dead ball I happened to be right next to him at trail and I just said "Coach, I missed that one." He appreciated it.

[JeffM]

Twice, I awared technical fouls to players for reactions to foul calls they disagreed with. After reporting the personal foul and then the technical foul, I could not recall which player was fouled. Fortunately, my partners remembered.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

I learned not to tell a kid sitting on the bench to shut up, no matter how much he deserves it. Just whack him.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I've learned the opposite - be more approachable to coaches. It has improved my court demeanor significantly. I've found that being more patient and approachable, and even just chatting briefly about the game during dead balls when I'm near the coach has had a very positive affect on my games.

Been working on this side too. Sometimes I just dont have the patience for it.

[UNIgiantslayers]

1. Don't make giving a T personal.
2. Shorten up the pregame. Nobody's listening.
3. Never EVER get talked into doing rec league.
4. Always let your partners know if there's a hot mom.

[frezer11]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

4. Always let your partners know if there's a hot mom.

Holy crap, you just learned this this year??? Tough break for your partners!

[UNIgiantslayers]

Originally Posted by frezer11

Holy crap, you just learned this this year??? Tough break for your partners!

I always work with old guys. I didn't think you guys cared about that stuff anymore.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

...
4. Always let your partners know if there's a hot mom.

Originally Posted by frezer11

Holy crap, you just learned this this year??? Tough break for your partners!

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

I always work with old guys. I didn't think you guys cared about that stuff anymore.

Your never stop caring about hot moms. Their age ceiling just rises and they are hot grandmas.

[Raymond]

I'm positively interacting with players more this year. I'll volunteer to them why I made a call instead of getting irritated when they react.

I've also reigned in my rabbit ears on assistants. If they react to a play but don't address their comments directly to me or my partners, I let it go as long as it's only once or twice in a game. I still address those who make comments directly to me, or who jump up.