Coach Management

[CYO Butch]

Originally posted by zebraman
A "T" may be "just another call," but it isn't the only way to prevent bad behavior. When I first started officiating, I ignored coach behavior until he/she "crossed my line" and then I gave a T.

My approach now is way different. As soon as I see that a coach is starting to complain too much, I get over there as soon as possible and have a quick respectful conversation with him. Usually, that's all it takes and he/she realizes that I'm human and that I'm not going to let him/her behave that way all night.

Now if a couple of "respectful interventions" don't work, then we might be heading towards a T but I have found that there are much more effective and quicker ways to curb coach behavior.

Z

Zebraman, from my perspective on the sideline, your approach works wonders. While I've never been T'd in 12 years (more or less) of coaching, I've certainly found that an official who will talk to me respectfully when my frustration level is running high, will help me settle down. It also improves my ability to help my kids by getting my head back in the game and off of individual events within the game.
I think many time coaches can't let go of something (like a call they didn't like), then subsequent events just add to it. I bet that your kind of intervention can be pretty effective at helping them to let go and get back to their jobs.