Best ways to find time for coaches

[Nevadaref]

Don't worry too much about talking with the coaches. When a coach truly needs an answer, he will find a way to get it. The official doesn't have to worry about making it over to the coach. The opportunity will eventually present itself when warranted.
In fact, it is often better to give no response at all to some of the things that coaches get upset about and just move on with the game. A coach will have perhaps one or two legitimate questions during a game. Anything more is just bellyaching and needless complaining.

[Pantherdreams]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Don't worry too much about talking with the coaches. When a coach truly needs an answer, he will find a way to get it. The official doesn't have to worry about making it over to the coach. The opportunity will eventually present itself when warranted.
In fact, it is often better to give no response at all to some of the things that coaches get upset about and just move on with the game. A coach will have perhaps one or two legitimate questions during a game. Anything more is just bellyaching and needless complaining.

This may be an in Rome thing but we were asked by the powers that be to seek out coaches directly to communicate with them/work with them. If a coach is upset about a call find them at the end of half/quarter to let them know what you saw or to hear their grievance. Go talk to coaches to break up time out huddles and share instructions or what you are seeing with them to re-enforce to their players, etc. We were constantly being encouraged to talk more to players and coaches vs blowing the whiste and walking away.

Ironically enough at the same time we were being asked to have a pretty high standard on calling violations and contact so that may have had something to do with it. Expecting coaches to be unused to or upset by tighter standard and talking them through the process. A lot of hand holding in retrospect.

[jTheUmp]

It seems like the majority of questions from coaches (well, legitimate ones, at least) are about fouls... so after reporting them is usually the best time to have a quick chat.

For example, here's what happened to me on Tuesday night:

A1 and B1 both jump to try to catch an errant pass. They collide (incidental); but on the way down, B1's arm comes across and slaps A1 in the face, causing A1 to fall. From the coaches angle, he couldn't have seen the slap. (I'm not describing it all that well, but it was definitely a foul on B1).

I call a foul on B1. Of course, B1 is the starting point guard, and it's his 3rd foul about 6 minutes into the game.

Coach (as I'm on the way to report): "What? How can that be a foul?"
Me: "I'll be right with you, coach". I then report the foul. "Ok, coach, what's your question?"
Coach: "How was that a foul on my player? They both jumped for the ball, it's not my guy's fault that he fell"
Me: "Coach, on the way down, he slapped A1 in the face. There's no way I can't call that."
Coach: "Oh, I didn't see that... ok, that's a good call then."

And we moved on.

[Raymond]

I don't find time. If the time is available, and the coach is respectfully asking a legitimate question, I will give a short explanation or answer.

Otherwise, I'm just nodding my head or continuing to go about my business.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Pantherdreams

This may be an in Rome thing but we were asked by the powers that be to seek out coaches directly to communicate with them/work with them. If a coach is upset about a call find them at the end of half/quarter to let them know what you saw or to hear their grievance. Go talk to coaches to break up time out huddles and share instructions or what you are seeing with them to re-enforce to their players, etc. We were constantly being encouraged to talk more to players and coaches vs blowing the whiste and walking away.

Ironically enough at the same time we were being asked to have a pretty high standard on calling violations and contact so that may have had something to do with it. Expecting coaches to be unused to or upset by tighter standard and talking them through the process. A lot of hand holding in retrospect.

I know this isn't your fault, but as a general rule, I don't like this. This takes the "be approachable" thing too far. It sounds like you're supposed to be their sounding board instead of working the game.

If a coach is near by, I will give them a short answer. If I am the Trail during a free throw or throw-in and the coach right in front of me is asking me something, i will try my best to answer legitimate questions. I will not go in the backcourt to the other bench during a free throw to talk to coaches. A lot of guys do it but I refuse to unless it is something really out of the ordinary that needs an explanation. If I need to address the coach on the other end I will either just turn around and say something or tell him as I run by going to be the new Lead.

[BryanV21]

It's very rare, but there have been times I've asked my partner what he saw on a call, and explained that the coach had a question about it. That way, if I have a chance to answer the question the coach has about the call, but my partner hasn't had a chance, I can give him the answer.

[SNIPERBBB]

Let your partner explain his own call. I'm not going to ask a partner what they saw during a game other than to make sure we are the se page as far as the rules or game management..

[Dad]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

It's very rare, but there have been times I've asked my partner what he saw on a call, and explained that the coach had a question about it. That way, if I have a chance to answer the question the coach has about the call, but my partner hasn't had a chance, I can give him the answer.

Gross.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

It's very rare, but there have been times I've asked my partner what he saw on a call, and explained that the coach had a question about it. That way, if I have a chance to answer the question the coach has about the call, but my partner hasn't had a chance, I can give him the answer.

I'll tell a coach that my partner will be in front of him soon enough -- he can ask him if he has a question. If I'm really nice, I'll tell the coach that I'll let my partner know so he's expecting a question.

What I won't do is answer a coach's question regarding a call I didn't make.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

It's very rare, but there have been times I've asked my partner what he saw on a call, and explained that the coach had a question about it. That way, if I have a chance to answer the question the coach has about the call, but my partner hasn't had a chance, I can give him the answer.

Trust the others and me who are saying to you- DO NOT DO THIS! Ever. Get it out of your game now. If its important enough your partner and the coach will eventually get a chance to discuss it. 98% of the time it's not that important.

I actually pre-game against this. Do not explain partners' calls. Period! Coaches are manipulators and it often leads downhill. There is no upside. None.

Only way should be talking to the coach about something you didnt call is a clear rule administration. "We are going to shoot the 2 for the foul, then 2 for the T" or something like that.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by Pantherdreams

This may be an in Rome thing but we were asked by the powers that be to seek out coaches directly to communicate with them/work with them. If a coach is upset about a call find them at the end of half/quarter to let them know what you saw or to hear their grievance. Go talk to coaches to break up time out huddles and share instructions or what you are seeing with them to re-enforce to their players, etc. We were constantly being encouraged to talk more to players and coaches vs blowing the whiste and walking away.

Ironically enough at the same time we were being asked to have a pretty high standard on calling violations and contact so that may have had something to do with it. Expecting coaches to be unused to or upset by tighter standard and talking them through the process. A lot of hand holding in retrospect.

This is what pre-season rules clinics, meetings, emails, memos, etc. are for. Expecting officials to convey this info during games is a lose-lose proposition IMO.

I think communicating with coaches is important. But the focus should be on finding the the most effective and most concise way to convey info and getting back your attention to calling the game.

I don't worry about finding time to talk to coaches. I just try to work on, again, language that is effective and efficient.

I can understand the challenges 2 man or going opposite after reporting present in terms of opportunities to talk to coaches. But I would not worry about it. Just focus on your communication skills so that when those opportunities do present themselves the conversation is quick and you convey what you want to convey.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Pantherdreams

This may be an in Rome thing but we were asked by the powers that be to seek out coaches directly to communicate with them/work with them. If a coach is upset about a call find them at the end of half/quarter to let them know what you saw or to hear their grievance. Go talk to coaches to break up time out huddles and share instructions or what you are seeing with them to re-enforce to their players, etc. We were constantly being encouraged to talk more to players and coaches vs blowing the whiste and walking away.

Ironically enough at the same time we were being asked to have a pretty high standard on calling violations and contact so that may have had something to do with it. Expecting coaches to be unused to or upset by tighter standard and talking them through the process. A lot of hand holding in retrospect.

My experience has been that when I initiate conversations to try to explain something, it doesn't go well. I now assume that if they don't ask, they know.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Adam

My experience has been that when I initiate conversations to try to explain something, it doesn't well. I now assume that if they don't ask, they know.

Bingo.

Why trouble trouble?

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by Rich

Bingo.

Why trouble trouble?

Who said anything about initiating conversations? Unless you mean when I later tell the coach what my partner said.

I understand what you're saying. Perhaps it's best to leave it be, but if a coach has a legit question and was respectful in asking it, and my partner won't be able to answer the question anytime soon, I don't really see the problem.

I've tried hard to build a better rapport with coaches.

[SNIPERBBB]

If you disagree the call and you let that come across as you give your partners explanation, how does that help anything?