Your watching varsity pregame when you notice one of b's players is wearing a bright red undershirt.

Now this would not bother me, but the team jersey is blue and white.

During coaches conference I inform the coach that the undershirt can not be worn, because it does not match the uniform.

He informs me that all the other refs had let him wear it.

I told him that I could not let him wear it.

He says how come I couldn't let it go when everyone else has let him wear it. . .

Now I understand that coaches will say this just to try to get the edge on you, but what would ya'll suggest is the best way to address the statement, without belittling your fellow officials?

"Well coach I'm sorry it's been like that however it's got to come off."

"Coach, you know this rule as well as I do. He can't wear it."

Thanks

My favorite reply to this is:

"Coach - there's a simple explanation for this. The other officials were wrong."

Doesn't apply at just the varsity level...
 

"Sorry coach, you know the rule. T-shirts must be similar in color to the predominate color of the uniform."

And it applies at all levels, not just varsity.

At the GS/MS level I'd probably let it go with a word to the coach to let his players know before the next game, especially early in the season. At high school freshman & above though, I enforce it.

Re: Doesn't apply at just the varsity level...
 

I didn't mean to apply only varsity, I just wanted everyone to know I was talking Fed

I would tell him that the player doesn't have to take it off, but he just can't PLAY with it on. Same with (most) jewelry.

Who's the "Bad Guy?"
 

"Coach....It may have been ok the last time....and it may be ok the next time....however, you know the rules, and I need to enforce them tonight/today."

Good Luck!

wl

This is my line anytime that I get a coach telling me what happened last week, and it happens often, mostly in rec leagues, but still this line seems to work.

"Coach. if my evaluator were to walk in the gym and see your player participating with an illegal shirt on, I'd get in trouble and I don't want to do that"

"Im not like the other officials, I go by the rules.. Shirt comes off or he cannot play."

Simply stand your ground and make no reference to what'as been done in the past.

"Coach, I'm not concerned with what other offiicals have done. If he plays today, he's not wearing it. Now, are all of your other players properly equipped?"

Brandan, you don't want to say that and insinuate that your fellow officials do not follow the rules. You have no idea if this coach is being truthful.

Lesson: Avoid refering to other officials in a negative way when conversing with coaches.

Well then simply say " I am not the other officials, shirt comes off or he does not play."

Good quote
 

Coach! Thank you for the information. Tonight the player will not wear the t-shirt that does not meet the uniform requirement.