I Stink At Handling coaches

[SMEngmann]

One problem I have with the stop sign, and I use it, is that it visibly commits you to an action, and coaches will, particularly to a younger official, test it, and some might view it as a challenge to their ego. Therefore I think officials should be judicious about using the stop sign especially because using it perhaps too early could paint you as standoffish. There were times when I used the stop sign when I should've just T ed the coach and others when I did it when the action didn't necessarily warrant a stern warning. Doing so basically puts the coach on an island or backs him/her into a corner and can cut the lines of communication, or it could make the official seem weak and make it look like there won't be a penalty. I still use the stop sign, but I don't necessarily think of it as part of a prescribed chain of actions for dealing with coaches, just a tool that can be used with the right coach in the right situation.