And looking at your user name, I jusy gotta ask - are you a fellow Beaver alum?

My last name is Geist (that should help) and I work primarily on the east side, despite the fact I live on the west side :( . Tim - you and I have worked together in the past. Juulie - worked with you and helped during your summer leagues. Although for some reason, I always end up in the stuffiest gyms on the hottest days during Portland summers. Hmmmmmm... :)

How funny. I did an eval on you a couple weeks ago. At Lutheran HS.

Cary --

Hey, I was wondering if it was you, and how your season is going. If you had Centennial/DD Fr/JV then you HAVE improved!! Great job!!

Were you at DD or Cen? I'm betting DD. Whack early, whack often, as Padgett says. Maintain composure -- which it sounds like you did. Don't let them see any cracks. You're young, and might look like a bit of a push over, so you've got to work on a firm, solid demeanor. I guess I'm guessing here, but I can see this sitch happening more to you than some others. I'm glad you removed the guy and that you told Howard. It sounds like the sort of thing that he needs to know about.

And welcome to the board. It's about time!!

What Juulie said....stay calm, cool & collected. With some coaches it can be a tough line to walk sometimes. You need to be outwardly friendly and approachable (as long as they behave in a respectable manner), but firm and confident at the same time.

And as Dan suggested, don't put up with the constant chirping. I worked a fairly high level Metro JV game last night - on paper it should have been a blow out, but was surprisingly close at the half. Both coaches started out OK, but the chirping got progressively worse, to the point we quietly asked both coaches to ratchet it back a notch or two. My partner & I discussed it at half time, and when the home coach started again early in the 3rd, my partner immediately gave him the visual stop sign along with "that's enough coach". Less than a minute later the visiting coach made a comment & I did the same to him. They both behaved the rest of the game.

Juulie, FYI, I ran into both JJ & her coach in the hallway when I arrived on site, and passed on your compliments for the job she did stepping in to help you out at the tournament.

You've been there a lot haven't you?! So, is she hooked?

Game was at Cen. Season is going well, worked lot of games and I need a break. Gotten some good evals, Smitty gave me one a few weeks ago. Noticed my count was a little fast and to move into a better position when trail for rebounds. Good points which I'll try to improve upon.

About coaches...my focus this year was to try to listen more to them and warn more before issuing a Tech. I think its paid off, only given out about 5. I try to listen and say "I'll look for _____ " or use the stop sign if he/she gets out of control. Most of the time the coaches recognize this and let off. Although some times a warning just isn't going to do it or not appropriate given the comments or tone of how they were made, which is what I felt last night was. Oh well water under the bridge, good points made here.

I think it has helped me as an official more, in trying to hear coaches out or let them know if they are close to crossing the line. However, I still have my limits of what I will tolerate from players or coaches, and am not afraid to deal with it if that line has been crossed.