coaches "working" officials

[SMEngmann]

Originally posted by bgtg19
WyMike's suggestion that coaches periodically throw out a "nice call" or "good catch there" reminds me of something that I have observed, and I offer it here to coaches who are looking for positive ways to interact with officials.

Perhaps even less direct than a "good call" to the official can be calling over your player who has just committed a foul and talking to her/him just loud enough for the calling official, who is now tableside, to hear. Say something like: "Remember what we talked about when we covered the principles of verticality. You had your torso in good position, but your arms were at an angle. These officials are smart enough to see when we're not doing it right." Statements like that serve two purposes: (1) you *are* coaching your players and (2) you *are* complimenting the official without it being so direct that the official will wonder if you're "working" her/him. Just a thought.

I generally don't like complements coming from a coach during a game because most of the time they're disingenuous. I don't want a buddy now and then have that same person become an enemy later, I like consistency. I've noticed that often the more polite people tend to be the worst ones in terms of trying to get one over on me. This type of compliment seems like the coach is talking down to me or judging me, and I tend to resent that. Similarly, I would not want to discuss either team's strategy after the game or evaluate the quality of the coach's team or players in the presence of the team's coach. I respect the domain of the coach, I don't question him or discuss the strategic elements of the game with him, and I think that such compliments as the one you suggest cross over that same line onto rules/mechanics, which is the domain of the official. In my opinion, it's a matter of respect.