Go to phrases for coaches/players

[ballgame99]

Billy's list pretty well covers it all, but the key phrase when asked about a call your partner made is "he/she had a great angle.." They don't want to hear anything about your "area" or anything like that. But if its way out of your primary you can say "I'm not even looking over there but my partner had a great angle"

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

Billy's list pretty well covers it all, but the key phrase when asked about a call your partner made is "he/she had a great angle.." They don't want to hear anything about your "area" or anything like that. But if its way out of your primary you can say "I'm not even looking over there but my partner had a great angle"

It also works to tell them "I was watching numbers xx and yy in the post" (or whatever)

[JRutledge]

"This is not the NBA, stop coming to me every time there is a call."

"I was not the one that made the call, ask him (pointing too), he will explain it to you."

They usually get frustrated and stop asking questions. Problem solved.

Peace

[CJP]

Using terms out of the rule book such as legal guarding position, displacement, and incidental contact has gotten me out of some potentially contentious situations with coaches. They usually back off because many have no clue what the rule book says.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by CJP

Using terms out of the rule book such as legal guarding position, displacement, and incidental contact has gotten me out of some potentially contentious situations with coaches. They usually back off because many have no clue what the rule book says.

Agree.

Also, when confronted with a coach questioning a travel/nontravel call, be sure to identify the pivot foot (left, or right (best guess if you have to)) and what that pivot foot did, or didn't do. This will usually disarm a coach because they usually want to talk about the number of steps, which, of course, as we all know (but they don't) has very little to do with a travel call.

"Coach. His right foot was the pivot foot and it never returned to the floor before the shot was released".

"Coach. Her left foot was the pivot foot and after being lifted it touched the floor before she released the pass".

"Coach. His right foot was his pivot foot and he lifted it off the floor before releasing the ball to start a dribble".

Coaches want to talk about the number of steps so when you come back at them talking about which foot was the pivot foot and what that foot did, or didn't do, it confuses them for a second, they figure that you know what your talking about, and they shut up, or you're long gone up the court.

[gogumakilla]

Really good stuff about explaining pivot foot over # of steps. I will incorporate that into my games. Also good stuff CJP, thanks.

[packersowner]

....and if the coach wants to argue how many steps a player gets, its just easier to walk away knowing that you're talking about a pivot foot and be able to say, "you're arguing a rule that doesn't exist."

[#olderthanilook]

My go to phrase (most of the time - gotta be careful with some coaches) in situations where the coach is fired up about a travel/no travel is, "Coach, which foot did you have as pivot?".

99.999% of the time in my experience.......crickets.

Movin' on!

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Agree.

Also, when confronted with a coach questioning a travel/nontravel call, be sure to identify the pivot foot (left, or right (best guess if you have to)) and what that pivot foot did, or didn't do. This will usually disarm a coach because they usually want to talk about the number of steps, which, of course, as we all know (but they don't) has very little to do with a travel call.

"Coach. His right foot was the pivot foot and it never returned to the floor before the shot was released".

"Coach. Her left foot was the pivot foot and after being lifted it touched the floor before she released the pass".

"Coach. His right foot was his pivot foot and he lifted it off the floor before releasing the ball to start a dribble".

Coaches want to talk about the number of steps so when you come back at them talking about which foot was the pivot foot and what that foot did, or didn't do, it confuses them for a second, they figure that you know what your talking about, and they shut up, or you're long gone up the court.

[zm1283]

I try to use rule book terminology as much as I can when appropriate, but I used "displacement" this year when a player cleared out a kid with his butt/hips on a rebound. The coach acted like that was the most ridiculous term anyone could use. I even said "Boxing out is okay, displacing someone and moving them isn't". Oh well, not my problem he doesn't get it.