I wonder how we would feel if the coach were to ask us a question of a similar nature, eg. "will you make good calls throughout the game?" In a way, I think the coaches defensive response in this case was justified. The question is provocative.

The question "will you display good sportsmanship" seems to imply that we come from a position of mistrust. Should we not always assume the coach is good until he breaks that trust?

I know it's only MS, but I can see lots of coaches raising an eyebrow at the question - and in a way, I don't blame them.

Just my $0.02

You may be right for Illinois. You are flat out wrong for ReadyToRef's state. His state set a procedure, ReadyToRef has no choice but to follow that procedure, and the coach that's wise-a$$ing him should know the procedure as well by this point of the season.

In this sitch, there's absolutely no need for a coach to have a chip on his shoulder before the game even starts.

JR

The procedure goes against every camp/evaluator/assignor/mentor advice I've ever received, which have all said keep the coaches meeting short, bland, and non-specific. I'm sorry, but these questions, as harmless as they seem to us, invite trouble, IMO.

That may be completely true, but it still doesn't apply to or help ReadyToRef. He may not agree with with what his state or association is requiring him to do either, but he still has to follow the procedure given to him. Personally, I don't think that there's any need in the world for any pissant middle school coach to come out before the game has even started with such a crappy attitude like that. If he wants to inform me that he's gonna be on my a$$ the first time that he <b>thinks</b> that I screwed up, then I'm gonna inform him to get ready--because he certainly ain't gonna like my next call. Just my grumpy opinion.

Aaaaaarrrrgh!
 

I agree, Rut and canckrefguy. Those questions are condescending, patronizing, and demeaning.

I agree JR. There is no reason. Thus, he had to be making an attempt at humor.

ReadytoRef, with the state requirement of the questions, what is the penalty for an incorrect answer. Or is there none?
<HR>
If by some unimagined chance the coach actually answered the questions seriously, why then would we punish him for his truth? Why would there be *more* punishment for that coach than for the coach that answered in the positive and lied when asked?

The states do officials a disservice requiring such questions. At most we should make a statement and not open up the subject of sportsmanship to discussion.

mick

[Edited by mick on Jan 26th, 2005 at 05:42 AM]

If by some unimagined chance the coach actually answered the questions seriously, why then would we punish him for his truth?
[/B][/QUOTE]Probably for the same reason that I'd punish him for <b>his</b> "truth" if he swore at me, Mick. To me, this coach is trying to either work, belittle or intimidate the officials before they've been given a chance to show how competent(or incompetent) they really are. He's making a mockery of the whole sportsmanship idea of this procedure. I'd ask him if he was serious- so that he couldn't use the excuse later that he was kidding. If he said "yes", whack.

Note that I didn't say whether I agreed with this procedure or not. To me, that isn't relevant at all. ReadyToRef has no choice but to ask these questions- that's mandated to him, and the coach has probably already been informed from his league/state office exactly why these questions are being asked. Just because the questions are mandatory doesn't provide the coach with a forum to expound on all of his perceived grievances with previous officials.

Again, just my own 4-hour-later but still grumpy opinion.

Since it is a requirement maybe the best way to handle it is to ask the questions, receive the answers, walk away and tell you assigner of any responses like this. I don't think I would T a coach.....well I just thought about it. In a MS game I probably would T a coach up at this point. These questions put the official in a bad situation and I would ask the same person(s) that requires the questions what to do when given answers like this.

"I appreciate the humor, coach, and I understand your feelings about the question, but as you know the (insert organization) requires me to ask the question and get an affirmative answer from the head coach before we can start the game".

Then, after the meeting, find a time to meet with the coach, "Sorry about that coach. I think some of the procedures are a bit of an overkill." The coach will likely then apologize to the official.

I ask 2 questions of every coach when I'm the referee. Matter of fact, this is my entire meeting:
---------------------
Hi (Coach's first name), Rich Fronheiser.

(1) Are your players legally attired?
(2) Do you promise to promote and exhibit good sportsmanship?

Good luck to you tonight.
----------------------

I've never had a smart-aleck response to those questions, but 99.99% of my high school games are at the varsity level and those coaches know how to talk to officials before the game starts. I'm sure there are exceptions.

While I'm the short-and-sweet kinda guy, good sportsmanship has been an emphasis for quite a while and I don't mind mentioning it during the captain's meeting and at our 1:30 meeting with each head coach.

--Rich

Well coac h
 

Coach trying to be cute, but all I would have said was,

"well coach how you act might just determine whether you get to stay around and see my calls or not"

And then of course, he would be on a short leash the rest of the night. In the box the entire contest etc.,

thanks
David

I absolutely disagree.

Asking the coach "Will you practice good sportsmanship throughout the game?" is not the same as "will you make good calls throughout the game?" The coach wasn't asked, "Will you call good plays, make good adjustments on defense, and make good substitutions throughout the game?"

If he wants to ask the official, "Will you promte good sportsmanship throughout the game?" that's fine. But he shouldn't become offended by such a question.

Many state associations have specific requirements with regard to pregame conferences.

But then, you should already know that.

I would never apologize for what I was required to do. That's a mistake. Don't condone his actions by telling him you don't like the procedure either.

I do not think you have been reading my posts. This is not about whose state is right or not. I wanted to know who is making them ask those questions. Part of the reason I am asking is because where I live there is not governing body that decides procedures for all levels. I wanted to know if the official's association was requiring that, or some middle school governing body was requiring those questions. Either way I would make some effort to change that procedure and this situation illustrates the possible problem. Whether it was required or not, I am not sure I would ask those questions that way. And I wanted to know if those questions were what are required word for word, or do they require just some type of statement. I think what I am asking is very legitimate. If he is asking how to handle a situation like this, my answer is to complain the body about the nature of those questions. I can see how a coach would answer the way this coach did. Actually I am surprised some kind of similar comment does not happen more often.

Peace

I agree.

If I detected humor in the coach's answer I would play along "Hey coach, I might get 1 or 2 right today, who knows? But you still need to show good sportsmanship. We agree, right?".

If I thought he was being even the slightest bit confrontational then he would get a quick and certain training session on the nature of our relationship.

And if the question and a yes answer is required then the coaches should all expect it. So no, it's not confrontational.