I had a game tonight (BJV) and a situation occurred with the starting "star" point guard on the home team. He is dribbling down the court for a fastbreak layup, but a very athletic player on the visiting team caught up and cleanly blocked his shot. The home player walks over to the padded part of the wall behind the basket and gives it a big kick. Would you give a T for unsportsmanlike conduct in this situation? Or would you let it go because he *might* just be mad at himself for missing a layup?

Later in the game the visiting coach is down by 2 toward the end of the game at a time out when the table calls me over. The scorekeeper was checking the books, and according to his records, the home team was down by 4. We informed the coaches of this and the visiting coach went ballistic. He started accusing the scorekeeper of only volunteering for that job so he could cheat to help that team win. I thought (very quickly) that the scorekeeper was technically a member of the officiating crew, and that the coach was questioning his integrity, so I gave him a T. He went and sat back down, but spent the rest of the game staring at me. What would you have done in this situation? Any feedback on both situations is appreciated.

The first one I wouldent have gave a T, for he was more than likely just mad at his self. I would have told him to watch how he acts.

The scond one is a T.

wait, did it go from visitor down by 2 to visitor down by 4?

What's the difference how the score changed?

Were there 2 books?

If yes, what did the visitor's book have for a score?

When/how did the error happen?

Did you or your partner check the score at the half?

The origional post had the score going from home +2 to home -4, of course coach B should not go crazy under those circumstances.:D

That's what went through my mind, but anyways,

For the first situation I'd warn the kid.

For the second sitch, I'd T the coach.

Why the difference?

Each coach knows the official book is THE score.

It's up to the visiting coach to have someone at the table. Why does he get to act like a jerk because he doesn't know the real score?

Just FYI on the 'official book is the SCORE' comment. I watched a situation in a tournament that I worked. Player A1 'fouls out' and this is questioned by A's coach, vigorously. In fact, he had questioned it when A got his fourth foul. The officials talked to his scorekeeper, the book on the opposing bench and the radio announcers at courtside. All had it as the kids 4th foul, but the officials stuck with the official book and fouled him out. They requested an interpretation from our state association (KS) and were told that this could constitute 'knowledge' enough to change the decision and have him stay in the game provided both coaches could agree that a mistake had been made.

I think it all depends on when and how hard this player did this. My first reaction is not to give a T if that kid has not been a problem most of the game. If I had to warn this kid at some other time in the game I would not have probably been more likely to give a T. It really just depends on the tone of the game and the actions of all the participants.

I would not have given a T for that. I understand the coach would be rather out of line, but I would not give a T for that comment alone. I would first confer with both books and make sure where the mistake is. If the home book felt they made a mistake and wanted to change something, I will leave that up to them. But I am not going make changes to the book unless I or my partners have definitive knowledge of a mistake. I would just go with the home book and would bring the coaches together and explain it. I would more than likely warn the coaches for further behavior and comments, but not an automatic T. At least that is how I have handled it in the past.

Peace

To clarify:

The visitors went from down 2 points to down 4 points

We checked the home book and visitor book at halftime. Everything fit. Both agreed at time of technical that visitor was really down 4, and that the scoreboard, which displayed down 2, was wrong.

I warned the coach once that he needed to sit down and stop shouting. I figured that was enough and gave the T.

I did not give a T to the player, but afterwards was thinking that maybe I should have. I just warned him.

I just got a call from my assignor, saying the coach through another postgame fit, calling me "unprofessional, inconsistent and constantly out of position." However, he said this coach always says that about the officials when he gets a technical. Turns out I have another game with that coach this weekend. Assignor warned me that he is known to hold grudges and will most likely try to cause a problem. Great. :(

Dont let some jerk get to you, just let it go, even if it is hard. Go to the game, dont be bias, and call the game as nothing has happened.

Brandan

He might be going to the game with a grudge against you, but don't do the same. Start the guy off with a clean slate, but keep him on a tight leesh. Warn him at the first sign of problems and back up your warnings with the appropriate penalties.

You should get excited about that. Just go there and be totally professional and kill him with kindness. You understand what you are up against and at least you know. Tell your partners what happen so they are not caught off guard and let it ride. I have had a similar situation to me. I just smile and call my game.

Peace

Okay, last piece of advice.

Don't use phrases like, "Sit down and stop shouting," or "I don't want to hear another word," when handling coaches.

Stick to, "Coach I need you in the box," or "I've heard enough coach." The enough is best used with the stop sign, so everyone sees that you have calmly dealt with the situation.

Great advice from a newbie and a vet!!

This is how it's supposed to work!

I'm just glad grizzled was not part of your post.:D

I actually said "Coach, I understand why your upset, but that's enough." I read this forum enough to know not to say "I don't want to hear another word." ;) I'm not even sure what I was thinking when I typed that.

And you can keep the advice coming. I always want to keep learning - if you are not getting better, than you are probably getting worse.

Thanks to everyone for the advice for next time. I just got out the official's manual and re-read the part where it lists all the things an official must be (at the beginning). Now you guys have me all excited to go back in there and do a great job.

(Edited for grammatical correctness. Hopefully)

[Edited by SF on Feb 1st, 2005 at 01:00 AM]

Glad to hear it. You emphathized but were firm, which is perfect. Everyone that saw/heard the exchange saw a calm professional and a childish jerk, and that is how we always want it to be.

Great chance for you to shine.
Start him with a clean slate and don't let that Jack-DonkeyButt intimidate you at all. Of course, he gets a short leash and communicate with your partner so if you have to T, they'll get in there and help.

I appreciate the fact you stood up for the "non-officiating" members of your team. I was at a BV last week, in which, with 56 seconds left in the first quarter, the scoreboard operator forgot to start the clock. He might have had a two or three second delay. The visiting coach went ballistic, stalked up to the scorer's table, and screamed something along the lines of, "we can't have this, not in a game this important", three or four times in succession. The officiating crew never said a word to the coach.

I know its frustrating for refs to have incompetent or apathetic scorers', but its good to see when you take care of folks who make honest mistakes.