Dialogue with coaches/players

[Dan_ref]

The questions I have about talking to coaches are numerous.
1) If my partner has criticized me to the coach, what if anything should I say to defend myself? (This actually happened to me this weekend)

***Not much can be done here but I agree with the Paul who
said to file a grievance with your association.

2) When is it ever appropriate to talk to a coach at any length? Are they allowed to claim a full minute of my time if they call a time out?

***My rule of thumb is to let them talk to me as long as
there is a legitimate question. End the conversation
as soon as the coach starts to get abusive or repeats
himself. Once you walk away don't walk back, you're done.
As for him using the entire minute, it's his timeout.
If he would rather shoot the breeze with me than coach his
team that's fine, his team just better be ready when the
second horn goes off.

3) Are there things that I should never explain to a coach, but just button my lip?

***Try not to tell him that you think he's the biggest,
most clueless jerk you have ever met in your life. Other
than that answer any reasonable question. Also remember
to never call anything you can't exlain!

4) How do I admit I was wrong, without losing face?

***As soon as you realize that you've gotten a rule wrong
admit it, fix it if possible within the rules & move
on.

5) sometimes the compliments are worse than the insults -- what do you say to the winning coach when he comes up after the game and says, "Thanks for that last call " This actually happened to me. What should I have said?

***Ignore these clueless jerks.