Wow...that was eaisier than I thought.

[LarryS]

Fortunately for me, since this was camp and the real coaches can't be on the bench yet (they just sit a row back and yell ), all I really had to worry about was the foul calls and the mechanics. I fully understand that I have a way to go before I get that type of match-up on my regular season schedule.

Maybe I am being niave, but based on my two person experience in varsity games (which is not extensive), the coaches are not that much more difficult to deal with. That may very well change when I start getting the bigger games, but so far what I see is that they expect a consistently well officiated game, they want to be heard when they feel they have a legitamate gripe, they expect a higher level of performance (physical) on your part, that you can explain a situation should there be a need and that you conduct yourself professionally.

All those are things I want out of me as well.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by LarryS

Fortunately for me, since this was camp and the real coaches can't be on the bench yet (they just sit a row back and yell ), all I really had to worry about was the foul calls and the mechanics. I fully understand that I have a way to go before I get that type of match-up on my regular season schedule.

Maybe I am being niave, but based on my two person experience in varsity games (which is not extensive), the coaches are not that much more difficult to deal with. That may very well change when I start getting the bigger games, but so far what I see is that they expect a consistently well officiated game, they want to be heard when they feel they have a legitamate gripe, they expect a higher level of performance (physical) on your part, that you can explain a situation should there be a need and that you conduct yourself professionally.

All those are things I want out of me as well.

Larry, it sounds like you get it. I think many younger officials see the bigger games, see they really are easier to call, and think, "That was easy!" But what they don't realize is they don't have the experience to handle the difficult situations that may arise, whether it's handling problem coaches and players, or acting professionally on and off the court. You still need to have those experiences under your belt before you can say you're ready. I used to think I was ready after a few years, but now the more I know, the more
I know I really wasn't ready then.

[bgtg19]

Originally Posted by LarryS

Maybe I am being niave, but based on my two person experience in varsity games (which is not extensive), the coaches are not that much more difficult to deal with.

I agree that coaches, generally, are NOT more difficult to deal with at the varsity level. If anything, the coaches generally are more knowledgeable. I find that varsity coaches spend a greater percentage of their time/effort on coaching (v. whining about the officiating) than do sub-varsity coaches. Again, generally speaking, varsity coaches are more professional.

And I agree with you Larry that much of what is expected by varsity coaches ought to be, and is, expected by us.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by bgtg19

I agree that coaches, generally, are NOT more difficult to deal with at the varsity level. If anything, the coaches generally are more knowledgeable. I find that varsity coaches spend a greater percentage of their time/effort on coaching (v. whining about the officiating) than do sub-varsity coaches. Again, generally speaking, varsity coaches are more professional.

And I agree with you Larry that much of what is expected by varsity coaches ought to be, and is, expected by us.

Where do you live because we have just as many whacko coaches at the varsity level as we do at the lower levels. Dealing with coaches in hostile environments is just one more aspect of the game that is more difficult at the varsity level and higher.

[Ref Daddy]

Try not to view it as 'hostile" but "competitive".. I find if I change my wording - it really does help.

Perhaps its more competitive at varsity level as opposed to more of learning the game at lower levels.

I try to think of "expressive" coach's as being very competitive. Easier to prepare for and deal with.

Now when s/he is in my partners or my face ranting we are the worst officiating crew ever - and cheating their team, etc - it went hostile and I got a little hand signal to fix that.