Coaches who are also Officials

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by ODog

Anyone in general who claims to be an official (coach, parent, fan) as an opener to arguing with the officials is an embarrassment to the profession and a total clown.

Exactly! Which was why these two experiences were so surprising to me. . . I kept thinking that of all people, THEY should know better.

[Texas Aggie]

I've coached a church/recreational league the past 2 years. For the most part, the officials have done a terrific job. They are volunteering, so I'm not going to criticize anything. I have found myself giving the travel or other violation signal here and there but not too bad. This year, I had the 1/2 grade where we don't keep score and the only real issue we had was a lack of rules knowledge on a couple of things. They were calling violations for the thrower-in stepping on the line (still OOB) and I got with them after the game and got that corrected.

I spoke with the league guy and I think I might take over as the supervisor next year. We will need to improve our rules knowledge and look just a little more professional.

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts?

That's micro-managing, imo.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I've coached a church/recreational league the past 2 years. For the most part, the officials have done a terrific job. They are volunteering, so I'm not going to criticize anything. I have found myself giving the travel or other violation signal here and there but not too bad. This year, I had the 1/2 grade where we don't keep score and the only real issue we had was a lack of rules knowledge on a couple of things. They were calling violations for the thrower-in stepping on the line (still OOB) and I got with them after the game and got that corrected.

I spoke with the league guy and I think I might take over as the supervisor next year. We will need to improve our rules knowledge and look just a little more professional.

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

My thought is that this is church/wreck league and you are taking this WAY too seriously and looking to show who's in charge with controlling what volunteer officials wear.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

My thought is that this is church/wreck league and you are taking this WAY too seriously and looking to show who's in charge with controlling what volunteers officials wear.

He said they are volunteers -- I was assuming he was asking so he could make a big order and give them to the volunteers. I would expect any league getting volunteer referees would be supplying anything they were required to wear.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

He said they are volunteers -- I was assuming he was asking so he could make a big order and give them to the volunteers. I would expect any league getting volunteer referees would be supplying anything they were required to wear.

I agree and I was going to type something similar, but I thought that would go without saying.

Take something too seriously and require certain attire and you better pay for it or reimburse guys.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

Like others noted: they're volunteers, so unless you're planning on buying the shorts I'd steer clear here.

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have any brand suggestions for black shorts? I'd like the guys to wear the same and I like the UA, but was wondering about other brands.

I used to spring for Nike shorts, but picked up a couple pairs of Russell Athletic shorts at Walmart before a camp last year and they have become my favorite. The Nike ones are quite poofy whereas the Russell Athletics shorts have a slimmer, more athletic cut.

[CJP]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Just wondering if my experience with coaches who are also officials is typical.

Just finished my 2nd year. In my 2nd Varsity game, one head coach had been my partner for 4 MS travel games. Before the game he told me that his girls are aggressive, and when they drive the lane and there is contact, he wants the foul called. First half he got into a long discussion about a block/charge call with my partner, which prompted my partner to tell me at halftime that he couldn’t believe the coach was also an official. Close game at halftime, his team gets blown out in the 2nd half. Winning team passing the ball along the perimeter, killing the clock, (4 minutes to go, 30 point margin) and the coach yells at me for missing a travel. I admit sometimes I struggle with identifying the pivot foot, I am certainly working on it. (after game partner said it was close, but a travel). After the game, coach finds us in the hall, and begins yelling at me that I am a JV official, that I missed 4 travels, and he is going to send the video to the assignor. I did not engage him. Both my partner and the AD try to calm the coach down. That night I emailed a full explanation to my assignor.

2 weeks later, I went to watch his team in their first round State playoff game. Same type of game, tied at halftime, his team loses by 28. Three-man crew, all experienced guys. He was complaining all game. During a 3rd quarter time-out, he told his team “Don’t worry girls, it’s 8 against 5 out there”. With about 4 minutes to go, he gets in an official’s face and screams “You’re Horrible!”, twice. That earned him a T. Saddest part was his team clapping for him as he returned to the bench.

Then last week I did a 6th grade girls travel game – one coach was a partner from 2 months ago. I was L, in good position to see no contact on a missed lay-up. Shooter goes down hard – not injured, but stays down for a while. Coach screaming for a foul (from 50 feet away) “If my player is on the floor, there HAS to be a foul”. (As an official, how can she possibly think that?) Girls that age are on the floor all the time, of their own doing.

So….typical, or atypical?

While officiating independent basketball (travel ball) I have had a few negative interactions with NFHS certified officials who were coaching their kid's team. The level of competition ranged from middle school to varsity. In each instance it only happened once and ended when I had enough from them and reminded them that they are certified officials and should act like it. The next time we shared the floor they were polite and treated me with respect. I would say they were below average officials. Of course this was independent basketball and it is easy for people to lose their minds here so maybe they would have acted differently at a sanctioned game.

The only time I officiated a sanctioned high school game were a coach was a NFHS certified official was a great game. They guy was a great official and it his coaching skills, regarding interaction with us, reflected that.

So based off of my limited personal experience, I think good officials will be good coaches, regarding interaction with the game officials. Bad (relative term) officials can be a pain and would not think twice about what they thought of me or my level of officiating.

[Raymond]

Ole Scott Foster is a Legend up and down Virginia.

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[Multiple Sports]

The

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Ole Scott Foster is a Legend up and down Virginia.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Hey stop insulting my guy....!!!!!!

[deecee]

I use an honest approach when a coach tries to inform me he is an official or that his kids will be playing XYZ style. I look at him and say "I don't care." and walk away. It sets a horrible tone for allowing those types of conversations and makes it clear I'm there to officiate. I have found that coaches that like to remind us these things are usually the biggest pains in the butt.

[Rich]

I coached softball for 2 summers.

I had the hardest time with umpires who clearly were pulling things out of their backsides. But I never, ever told them I was an umpire. It just wouldn't help.

I got ejected once each summer. In both cases, it was an umpire who decided that he was above answering any questions whatsoever and decided the easiest way to deal with me was to make me go away.

When one found out I was an assigner for HS softball, he tried to talk his way back into my good graces the next day. That made things even worse in the end.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by deecee

I use an honest approach when a coach tries to inform me he is an official or that his kids will be playing XYZ style. I look at him and say "I don't care." and walk away. It sets a horrible tone for allowing those types of conversations and makes it clear I'm there to officiate. I have found that coaches that like to remind us these things are usually the biggest pains in the butt.

I've decided that for now on my response will be "I used to coach, and I was a strong, physical post player".

[Valley Man]

I am on the opposite of this story actually.

Loved learning the rules of basketball as I first started out as a coach One season we failed to attend the clinic so I had to take the test. Scored well, but found out I needed to learn more than the basics! 21 seasons later I got out of coaching and some officials recruited me. Just finished my 5th year with a whistle.