How do you handle this.................

[rockyroad]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Agreed...you will not "convince" your friend that he was wrong. Not even if you sat down with a tape of the game and a rule book and went over every call and play with him... it is inherent in our society that (for most people)as soon as you put on the stripes and the oh-so-comfortable polyester pants you are no longer a person...you are an "it" and people feel absolutely no compunction about yelling at an "it [/B]

Amen, Brother Rocky.

You know what? As soon as more officials figure that out.... and forget about trying to gain "acceptance" or "approval" out there.....and just officiate the damn game without worrying about pleasing everybody/anybody except your peers....or be out there trying to cure all the social ills of the world at the same time that you're refereeing....then you'll be doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing-- adjudicating a sports contest in a manner that will give the participants a fair, equal and honest game.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Been trying to teach the "rookies" I work with this lesson for years...the ones who get it stick around. The ones who don't, well, don't...