communiciation

[Dan_ref]

"Coach, I didn't see the play you need to discuss it with him."

or

"Coach I saw the play I agree with the call."

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

"Coach, I didn't see the play you need to discuss it with him."

or

"Coach I saw the play I agree with the call."

or...."Coach, talk to the hand"....

[Brad]

The NCAA actually came out last year and said that an official telling a coach "That's not my call" is unacceptable!

If I saw the call, but didn't have a great look at it, I will say something like "Coach, Brendan is right there and has a great look at that play."

Otherwise, I agree that you can say "I didn't have a good look at it, Coach."

One approach that I heard a top official say a few years ago is that he will sometimes ask, "What did you see, Coach?" -- this allows the coach to vent and explain what he is seeing. Normally you do not even have an opportunity to respond, as the game is going on. After listening you can respond, "OK - I didn't see the same thing." or "OK - we'll take a look at that."

Many times the coach just wants to vent and wants to know that we are acknowledging him.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Brad

If I saw the call, but didn't have a great look at it, I will say something like "Coach, Brendan is right there and has a great look at that play."

Naw, just tell him "Coach, Junky never misses anything!".

[bannind]

If a coach is questioning on me about a call, or lack there of by my partner - one of my favorite responses is 'Coach - if I can give you an answer to that, you should be yelling/b*tching at me for not watching the players in my primary/the 6 players directly in front of me.' (you can either condense or elaborate depending on the time you have to talk to the coach and/or your repoire with the coach) The coach usually has to stop for a second to think about what you just said and it adds a little humor to help diffuse a situation.

This of course doesn't work if your partner has reached a little out of his/her area and called something you chose to pass on. Then it is a standard 'Coach, I am sure *insert name here* will happily explain it next time he/she has a moment.' Or you can just throw them under the bus with 'Hell if I know Coach, as soon as you figure out let me know'

[Mark Padgett]

"Didn't see it, coach. I was watching MY area." Also, NEVER say "sorry" to a coach.

[Larks]

Ive had this situation come back to bite me in the past. HS game 2 years ago, I was new trail running up table sideline near the coach. Long cross court pass, 50 feet away to a possible foul situation right in the slot's lap and the coach yells at me....WHAT, NO FOUL. Now, I've always been taught that if it's nothing from 5, it's nothing from 55. This play in particular, I would have been guessing at best on a call and with the slot on top of it, I passed.

I made the mistake in answering Coach - thats not my call. 3 min later, I ended up sticking him. Now - did he earn his T.....yeah. Did I help nudge the situation in that direction with my choice of wording? - yes.

At camp this summer, I heard the same thing Brad said: Telling a coach "That's not my call" is unacceptable! and hurts us as a crew.

What I now say is "Coach, my partner had a great look at that play, he'll be over in a few" or Coach, I had a different matchup, you'll have to ask my partner when he gets over here". I think in the case of my play above, I might say "Coach, I switched off ball when the play left my primary and didnt have a look, you will need to ask my partner"