I have always taught my players the rules, but also how to play the game. The reason I teach them not to reach is because reaching leads to poor defensive position, leaning forward instead of remaining balanced on the balls of the feet. Reaching also leads to fouls. When you hear coaches yelling "don't reach", don't assume that they think that's an automatic foul; it might just be good coaching.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JeffW

Quote:

Originally posted by sfriede ... When you hear coaches yelling "don't reach", don't assume that they think that's an automatic foul; it might just be good coaching.

I agree!

Coaches directives to their players are not always judgement of the officiating.

As JeffW mentioned, sometimes when a player is called for "illegal use of hands",
because they "make contact" on the ballhandlers arms, the coach will scold the
out-of-position defender.

I don't mind when a coach tells their kids not to reach. They're right. Reaching is lazy defense; rather matadorial. When they lose credibility is when they start crying to me, "He's reaching. He's reaching!" My first thought is always, "Yep, but he's not fouling."

Though your comeback was witty and entertaining, do you think that it was the best thing to say to the coach? I view a comment like this to be stooping down to level of the coach. What do others think? How would other people respond to this comment literally 3 seconds into the game? [/B][/QUOTE]


...IMO- I view this forum as a way to study, learn from those who have been there and become a better official. I think that questions like these are irrelevant in doing any of that. I guess I'm really looking for something that I can use more so than someone's opinion on something that really doesn't matter.

...IMO- I view this forum as a way to study, learn from those who have been there and become a better official. I think that questions like these are irrelevant in doing any of that. I guess I'm really looking for something that I can use more so than someone's opinion on something that really doesn't matter.

[/B][/QUOTE]

I totally agree. One of the characteristics of a good official is how we manage coaches. How this official managed the coach is not the only way to manage coaches. Instead of threatening him with a T, maybe he could have said, "Coach, you'll have to trust me on this one. This play doesn't happen often [it's only happened to me once in 8 years]. For now, you'll have to trust that I'm right."

What do others think?

I think I'd say something like, "Coach, that is the rule, and I'll strongly advise you not to accuse me again of making stuff up."

Someone else mentioned this but I want to anyway. I would not encourage anyone to do/say this to a coach. What good did it really do? We will be chasing our tail to attempt to get the best of every coach/player/fan. A threat means nothing if it isn't backed up and it also puts your partner out on a limb. That might be going too far in this situation but after informing the coach that you are doing the correct thing by rule there is nothing good that will come of the rest. IMHO

FOOD :D