Coaching Players

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

2) Hand Checking: I say only one word: Hands! And I only say it once! And then I put air in the whistle. Sometimes I don't even say Hands! I just mput air in the whistle.

At one of the pre-season scrimmages I attended, we were told that if we say something to the players during the game, we need to phrase it in a way that doesn't sound like we're coaching them to do or not do something.

Avoid: "No hands!", "Don't push!", etc.
Better: "Hands!", "Easy!" etc.

As always, though, when in Rome YMMV and all that good stuff.

[JRutledge]

I say two things. I say "lane." I never use a number or a jersey color. And I say "hands" even before a player touches anyone. It is not coaching it is letting them know you are watching. Almost never hear anyone complain or even know I say these things when the whistle is in my mouth. Been doing that for years. I have never considered this coaching because I do not tell them what to do, I say it so they hear me. If they do not follow, I call a foul or a violation appropriately.

Peace