Coach managment
 

hey
One of the areas that I am very weak in is handling coaches. I really want to get better at this aspect of officiating. I know alot of it comes from experience, but any ideas of how to help. One idea that I am working on now is talking with the coaches early on in the game.What else should I do? thanks

Get yourself a large puppy. Train it to not sh1t in the house, not run into the street, behave well & do cute tricks.

This will give you all the experience you'll need to handle coaches.

Seriously.

I believe that if you acknowledge a coach, "I hear ya coach" then continue to manage the game you don't usually get too many problems. If you do meet the one or two "get all up in your grill", then handle that in the context of the games rules. Admit when you make a mistake, and if you can correct it do so, if not accept it and move on. This will add credibility to your game. Remember, Coaches don't have to necessarily agree with what you call but they do have to understand and go with it.

JMO, and it works for me. Treat a coach how you would want to be treated.

Smoke

Yep, this sums it up pretty well. Work to have a good relationship on the court with both coaches, but remember you are responsible for controlling their behavior when you need to.

There is no one size fits all way to handle coaches. What I do might not work for you. What you do might not work for me. Some guys can be funny and keep everyone laughing and other need to be a "hard ***" and show that they will not be run over. Or you could be somewhere in between. I do agree that usually the response "I hear you coach" does work a lot. The problem is what are you going to do when a coach has a legitimate question? You cannot always say "I hear you coach" or a canned response. You sometimes have to answer questions directly or not say much of anything. Usually the good coaches will listen to you and not go on and on about calls. The coaches that are not either very good tend to complain every time up the floor and constantly have an issue with the officiating. You just have to find out through experience what works for you.

Peace

I agree with Rut, you have to decide what style works for you. My style is not being a hard*** but I am not a comedian either. Biggest complaint that I hear from coaches is when refs do not acknowledge them. This can be nothing more than a nod of this head. They what to know that they are being heard. But any any coach who complains the entire game has no credibility with me and I tend to tune them out. My experience is coaches at the lower levels never let it go, they will harp about a call from early in the game the entire game while better and higher level coaches will let it go very within a short period of time and get back coaching their team. Find what works for you and go with it.

One of my favourite series at officiating.com about coach management:

Who goes there, friend or foe?
by Juulie Downs

And if that works successfully, you can try it out on your wife too......can't hurt.

Geeze, I got as far as Juulie telling us to imagine standing with the coach in a rose garden.......and then it said "insert $50 to continue".

I've got my own imaginary little mantra. Ain't gonna cost you $50 either. Forget about the rose garden and try this:

<i>Picture yourself near a stream. Birds are softly chirping in the crisp, cool mountain air. Nothing can bother you here. No one else knows this secret place. You are in total seclusion from that place called "the world". The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity. The water is crystal clear. You can easily make out the face of the coach whose head you are holding underwater.</i>

Just acknowledge a coach that you hear his concerns and will address them when best fit. Also unless you are 100% sure dont tell a coach that -- say coach from my angle thats what I saw -- he could have a different opinion than you and thats fine.

If you know a coach is irate at you give him room and stay opposite for a while. Once he cools down if you feel address his concerns then (you dont have to unless he asks nicely).

If you have to tell a coach something like not to roam to far up and down the sideline just remind him nicely once or twice if hes coaching and not harrasing (if hes harrasing one warning is enough).

I like to give coaches as much rope as needed for them to hang themselves -- by the time they get one they deserve it and everyone knows it. Now there are catch phrases that will cost a coach faster than cyndi lauper was popular and those usually revolve around the personal stuff.

Just be as honest as possible, if you missed the call, say so. Always listen and dont be too quick to answer. Sometime they actually have legitamate points.

JR, just remember that not everyone can make a go of that style! I mean, I have a lot of trouble holding a coach's head underwater, since my arms are rather weak and flimsy. So I've developed a more internal way of handling things. I just sulk and mutter to myself, until I explode and whack the poor clueless coach. It's about the same effect as yours, but more entertaining to the on-lookers.

Meantime, I appreciate TADW's plug. Those articles (I think that series ran to 10!!) got me a tidy little sum for buying more whistles, and quite a few complimentary e-mails. Anything that I've discovered that works has to be good for others, since I started with so little of any value.

And never, never, never sell out your partner to a coach. Never. Never. Someday it may be you.

Some of these answers are no brainers, but very valuable ones, so to say :) Someone wrote that good coaches wouldn't try to complain about every call or put a lot of pressure on the referees. That's where I can't agree. In the past two years I met a lot of very experienced and knowledgeable coaches while refereeing on a semi-professional and professional level here in Europe. Almost all of them where focusing on coaching their teams most of the time, but I think every single one of them tried to get me or one of my partners at one point in the game and then it wasn't about asking a question and wanting to hear about a different angle or something like that. These situations were about giving the ref a hard time, get inside his head, or at least see to which of the above mentioned categories the ref belongs (hard a**, entertainer, or whatever).

A very popular move was to question a close call (block-charge or something like that) in a way that one could not ignore the coach, and as soon as you moved towards him to handle the situation coach turned around and walked away from you ... What is the referee supposed to do? Follow the coach who will probably pretend he can't hear the ref and finally give him a surprised "What do you want from me?" look with the ultimate power shrug of his shoulders while looking at his assistant coach for help, or just turn away and let it go? Both ways, you don't look very good in this situation, which is of course what the coach tried to achieve. I think it is part of the game, coaches try to get to know their refs, they try to influence our decision making and this does not only apply to bad coaches.

From my own experience a couple of years ago I know that at least in highschool in Canada referees were treated with more respect then in youth basketball here in Europe. Would you say this is also true for College basketball? And how would you react to the situation described above?

Cheers,
Kostja

Having experienced the situation Kostja described, I prefer not to move towards a coach to explain a call, ever. I report the foul first (this usually allows him to cool down a bit), then I either give a brief answer (it may be something like "he doesn't have to be stationary" in a block/charge situation) while already moving towards my new position or I ignore him completely.

Unless there are 5000 people in the gym, you should be able to talk at a distance... and it is advisable to do so ;)

They may be "very experienced" and/or "knowledgeable" but if they complain about every call, they aren't "good".

I will say that you do not have to explain every call. Just because a coach complains, does not mean you have to give an answer or answer right away. If a coach really wants to know what you called, they will ask later.

We also must understand that what works in one area might not work in another area. I know having worked inner-city schools, there is a different way you have to talk to coaches than a suburban school. Then there is a totally different way to talk to participants if you are dealing with a rural school. Now this is just in my state, I know when I see teams that are from outside of the state, they act differnet as well. And everything I just said was related to HS, college is another story as well.

Peace

I did an AAU U-17 tournament in Las Vegas Easter weekend where every coach thought they were the best coach and knew everything there was to know about basketball. Most coaches also thought their players were the best players the sport of basketball has ever seen. Although this was a high profile Div 1 scouting tournament, very few players will really go on to play big games in Div 1 hoop. I have never seen so many T's assessed ever than in this tournament, but it was stressed to us before the tournament that a technical foul is merely a penalty for a violation of the rules - which it is.

I think referees - especially newer referees - tend to forget that a technical foul is just that, a penalty. It should not be used as a personal attack to get back at a coach or a player, but used when a coach or a player violates the rules.

When I took the IAABO course a while back, game management was stressed as a critical component of refereeing. And although I agree game management is very important, I also agree that if a coach's behavior and/or statements are worthy of a technical foul; then give it to him/her – regardless if it is early in the game, late in the game or before the game even starts. With the exception of the three (four in the 06-07 season) NFHS rule book reasons for warnings – throw in plane violations, huddling by either team and contact with the free thrower, interfering with the ball following a goal and water on the court – no where in the book does it say we as referees are to issue warnings to coaches and players for misbehaving and breaking the rules. When we as referees start issuing warnings that the rules say don’t exist, we have just bent the rules set forth by the rules committee and have then put ourselves in a weak position for any sort of valid response to a coaches concern – you as a referee already broke the rules once.

Some people call me a stickler and last year I ejected one coach and issued a handful of well deserved T's, but I am still one of the most requested referees among coaches in the area. Coaches remember referees and the calls they make. Expect a coach to remember you, but if you are consistent in your calls, they know that if they break the rules (good coaches know the REAL rules) they will receive the penalty.

I know a lot of referees out there don’t agree with my grasp on technical fouls and I am sure there will be many comments posted in response to my post. To end, I have copied a piece of the IAABO Midseason Interpreter’s Memorandum from Peter Webb (who by the way was recently inducting into the HS Basketball Hall of Fame - Congrats Peter!):

Enforce the rules, all rules. That is what fair play is all about. Officials don't set aside the travel rule, why set aside the disconcertion rule, the player appearance rule, the behavior rule, grasping the ring rule, etc.? When those rules are not met by players or coaches, apply the penalty. Do it now, don't fret, don't put it on hold and don't worry about it. Eliminate the issue, the game will be better for it. While being "good" (by warning, ignoring, etc.) to that particular team ask what about the opposing team who is adhering to the rule(s)?

There are only three rules-approved warnings and they are delay warnings - boundary plane, huddle or contact with free thrower and interfering with the ball after a goal. The rules do not provide for any other warnings. Although officials may think they are “helping,” “using common sense” or “being reasonable,” a warning can upset coaches and players. Warnings can upset opposing players and coach. When warning, the official is setting aside a rule that is expected to be enforced. Seldom can a warning be FAIR as there are two teams.”

Biggest problem I see with officials is they ignore the coach. If the coach is asking a question then answer, talk to him. If you ignore him he's just going to get even more mad. Take care of your business.

I'm not sure who would disagree with your "grasp" of saying that T's are merely a penalty, not a weapon. Officials who use T's that way don't last very long.

This is no longer true, btw. . .

"Beginning next season in high school basketball, only one warning will be given for any of the four delay situations before a technical foul is assessed, including the newly approved delay situation for water on the court following a
time-out."

I am not sure what you mean by this statement. But to be fair anytime a player or coach wants to question judgment calls (which happens all the time) we have the right under the rules to give a technical foul. Now to be real official use a great deal of judgment and do not call as many Ts as the rules allow. So I am not quite sure how officials are getting back at coaches and players when we use great restraint and not call anything.

There is a difference between an "official warning" that goes into the book and a warning for conduct which might not be that bad. Sorry, we should give warnings to try to prevent further action when warranted. It is not good common sense to just give out Ts for a minor and hardly understood infraction. And if you want to work higher levels, you better learn to communicate to players when appropriate and I have never heard a college assignor say the things you claim. I could even say the very same with HS assignors as well.

You are right we should not set aside a rule, but we should not be so technical that there is no room for judgment or common sense. I know I do not call travels that no one can clearly see. I try to call what is obvious and violations and fouls that most people can see took place. I am not going to nit pick a rule like the coaching box rule and give a T for a coach with a toe on the line. That is not good officiating in my opinion and it is not going to make you popular the higher you go up the latter.

It is fair if you are giving both teams the same benefit of the doubt. You have every right to let a coach know they are getting out of hand so when you do give them a T, they know they were already close to the line. If a coach complains about the first call you make and by rule you give them a T, you will not be around very long as an official. And the rules committee wants us to enforce the spirit of the rules, not the letter. It is in their literature in both NF and NCAA rules.

Peace

Agree.

Most good, experienced officials imo know when to warn and when to "T". You can't really set definitive rules either. Warnings are very appropriate in some situations; in other situations, a "T" without a warning might be appropriate also. You simply do what you think is warranted and necessary in each individual situation.

Of course, what you don't do is warn and then not follow through if someone chooses to ignore that warning.

They don't complain about every call, they pick their spots, only some of them pick too many ;)
By the way, I wouldn't say a coach, who doesn't know the subtleties of every rule that's ever been written and therefore starts complaining, is necessarily a bad coach. He just doesn't qualify as a referee coach :D

If I can just comment on Rut's point - a very well respected referee once said that the purpose of a technical foul was to stop bad behavior, and if you could stop it without having to give the technical, you were just that much ahead.

I like that comment a lot!

When I said there are only three reasons to issue warnings, that is what I meant reasons. Yes, collectively there is only one warning to be issued, but three (and now four this coming season) reasons to issue the warnings.

I like everyones comments and expected this much response. I appologize if I don't respond right away to all of them. Please remember, the last two sections of my post is taken from a memo distributed by IAABO.

SnakeEye's comment about talking to coaches is probably the best comment posted yet. Most coaches don't want anything from an official than to be heard. I refer back to Las Vegas this past April. I had a coach who just wanted to be heard. All I had to do was listen to him and he smiled and I was able to walk away. I very rarely had to say anything with him and never had to warn him or give a T because I listened.

Thanks again.

Here's a few things that have worked for me, though nothing is foolproof or works all the time:

1. The phrase "OK coach," in response to complaints and requests tends to do wonders.

2. Pick your spots if you must, but in general, don't argue. The exception might be to clarify that there was no contact (when he complains about a foul not called) or something similar. When he wants to argue, see number 1.

3. If he's getting beligerant: "coach, I need your cooperation and this behavior/comments isn't/aren't helping..." Try to do this when only he is around or within hearing distance.

4. When he gets personal or stupid, if you choose not to give him a T, just say something like, "coach, we are done talking." If he asks further, you might add that he's being disrespectful and unreasonable or whatever, but keep it short and get away from him. If he comes after you or keeps talking, you have no choice as to what to do next.

You can also do a lot of talking to a coach while keeping your eyes on the court -- say, during a free throw or a sub situation. Most of the time nobody except those in close proximity even know you both are talking to each other. Even the other coach may not know, but you can do the same with him later. I'm not saying initiate the discussion, but if the coach wants to talk and he's not out of control, engage him, but keep your eyes focused on the court. If he asks why you aren't looking at him, tell him "I know you are there, but I must keep focused on the floor." He should understand that.

My experience has been that 99% of the time, coaches want to be heard, they do not want answers. When they ask questions, they usually have their answer already. What I try to do is find out what that answer is so that they can vent it properly. Example:

Coach: "Why did my kid get called for a block down there?"

At this point, the coach could care less about "legal guarding position," he wants to complain about the call.

Me: "Which play was that coach?"

I just want him to come out and say what he has to say, appropriately.

Coach: "The one a few seconds ago, when white just ran my kid over."

Ta-Da! Coach obviously feels his player was fouled, he disagrees with my judgement. He doesn't want to hear a reason for it.

Me: "We must have seen that one differently coach. I'll make sure to look for it in the future."

Now the coach has gotten out his complaint, he feels better about it, and we can move on with the game.

Of course, you should always pick your spots. Free throws are the best time to make yourself available to coaches, especially if you see one of them stewing on the sidline. Anything you can do to recognize a coach is something positive. If the coach chooses to turn that into a negative situation, then you will have to deal with it; but coaches deserve approachability from officials.

unless the coach asks me a direct question i have nothing to answer... why follow him anywhere -- once he turns his back after asking a question once the next time he asks a question i will make it clear if he asks a question one more time and turns around i will not answer any of his questions for the remainder of the game. Dont play his stupid games, let him act like an idiot. Then if i feel like hes showing the officials up i will also let him know one more act like that will cost him more than a block/charge would. but thats just me -- if he wants to make a scene and look like an idiot thats fine / if he wants to mock us and make us look like idiots than that is not.

I don't seem to recall reading that rule. Maybe it's time for me to have a refresher. Questioning judgment doesn't per se prove unsporting conduct, IMHO. Did I miss something?

If you're talking about someone questioning your judgment, rather than the call, I might see that. But questioning a call in an appropriate manner is part of the game. Obviously, your judgment and a player or coach's judgment will differ because of different training and experience. As long as they are not unsporting about it, I think they should have the right to question your call, as long as they are not trying to show you up.

By strict reading of NFHS rules, a head coach is definitely <b>not</b> allowed to question anything. A head coach is allowed, by rule to coach- period.

Rule 3-1-2 says that the captain is his/her teams representative, and is allowed to ask for an rules interpretation or get essential information. There is no mention of a coach anywhere in the rules being allowed to question anything, unless it's one of the listed errors. Captains certainly aren't allowed to ever question the judgement involved in a call either.

From an old POE in the 2001-02 book -- "Coaches must stay within the confines of the optional coaching box and <b>are ONLY permitted to give instructions to players and substitutes</b>. Coaches using the optional coaching do not have implied permission to roam the sidelines, attempt to influence the decision of an official, or conduct themselves in an unsporting manner." Iow, by rule, the head coach is not allowed to ask questions; he has to get his captain to do that.

Of course, in real life it's a whole lot different. The point is that a coach questioning an official's judgement sureasheck is leaving hmself open to get whacked.

I think he might be talking to what we love to refer to around here as the "ABS" (accumulated bullsh!t) T. What if a coach questions, in an appropriate manner, every other call? At some point they've gone beyond being respectful and have become a distraction, and therefore will need to be addressed.

Maybe this is just semantics, but questioning a judgment call, "Why was that a block and not a charge?" and questioning judgment "What are you, nuts?" are two different things to me. One is asking for clarification, and one is unsportsmanlike.

It seems to me that if officials are using their judgment for a call (rather than on a clear-cut call like a player stepping out of bounds) then they almost have an obligation to explain when asked.

I think the distinction is in whether the coach is attempting to influence the officiating, or legitimately asking for clarification. Whether this is unsportsmanlike conduct is up to the officials' judgment, but I can guarantee that T'ing up coaches for asking for explanations in a reasonable manner will put them back on the list for freshman games.

Jim, the rules simply do <b>not</b> allow coaches to question judgement calls in any way, including both instances listed above. As Rut has already said(and I agree with his statement), if they do so, then they certainly do run the risk of getting whacked. Now whether they actually do get whacked or not when they question a judgement call is simply up to the tolerance level of each individual official.

I was just pointing out what the rules actually say in regards to what coaches are legally allowed to do- and basically, under the rules, they are just supposed to coach. If they do think that we misapplied or misinterpreted a rule, they can then get their captain to ask us for an explanation. Question judgement though? Never- by rule, but different in real life.

Which was said repeatedly starting at post #3.

Rule 10-4-1
a: Disrespectfully addressing an official
b: Attempting to influence an official's decision
e: Objecting to an official's decision by rising from the bench or using gestures (Ever seen the travel signal from a coach?)

These take place by at least one coach a game. As officials we do not just take the letter of the law and start throwing out coaches, but we let coaches know they are going too far or there are going down a road they should not. So if tomorrow we wanted to enforce these rules to the letter, then we have the rules at our disposal. I am not advocating that, just pointing out that we have different levels of tolerance and some are going to apply the rules much more strict than others.

Peace

Thanks for the citations. To me, these are clearly unsporting conduct, but most coaches probably don't realize that.

Good discussion. The following are my thoughts and have seemed to work well for me in the past. First off, I very rarely initiate a conversation with a coach, let them come to you. About the only time I will initiate a conversation is if I'm having a problem with a player and the player is close to recieving a T. If I get the feeling a coach will respond well, I'll let them know that the player needs to calm down. Secondly, I only answer direct questions. As an earlier post stated a question such as "why was that a block?" is a question I will answer. "What was that!" is not a specific question and I will usually ignore it. Lastly, don't make it a secret when coach has reached his sportsmanship limit. Step back and give the stop sign so that his or her assistants know they need to calm them down. If they run through the stop sign, deal with it. Also, don't go to them durning time outs, even if they beckon you, make them come out on the floor to you (meet them halfway is what I do). Then if the coach is being a problem, everyone will see the T coming and it won't be a big suprise. I think that game management is an ever evolving part of our games. Find what seems to work for you and go with it. It takes time.

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(from DVD "FIBA guidelines for referee education")

They were almost as good as the Temptations and Four Tops in concert! :D