Deferring to parnter vs the rookie treatment

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by blindzebra
Any interaction with a coach before a game that lasts more then 30 seconds to 1 minute, better have BOTH coaches present. Anything else is unprofessional and inappropriate, even if it is not unethical, it gives the impression of bias.

Being professional and cordial, is a far cry from kissing a coaches behind for a better rating. No matter how chummy you are, the game is what that coach is gonna rate you on anyway.

Agree.

Fwiw, for play-off games in our area, we ask the hosting venues to supply a seperate room for the officials only, and also ensure that the officials will have complete privacy in that room. We instruct all of our officials to answer all pre-game questions from coaches,etc. cordially, but to absolutely never carry on any extended pre-game discussions or conversations with any of the participants. Answer their questions and then cut the conversation short. The officials need that pre-game time to get prepared for the game, and they don't need any outside distractions. Carrying on a pre-game conversation like the one that was outlined in the first post of this thread in lieu of a proper pregame is also unprofessional as hell imo. It can certainly give an impression of impropriety, and impressions can become realities in some of the petty non-officiating minds if they happen to witness little tete-a tetes like that one.