First varsity game..

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by Sirrefalot

Same as previous, newer official 3rd year. My question isn't about rules or interpetations, it about conversing with the coach. Three man I'm the C. right next to the coach. A1 bring ball up court, A2 comes from the block to the wing to set a pick for a1. B2 who is guarding a2 bumps her minor contact i thought but it made the screen move alittle and b1 runs into her. B's coach who is standing next to me says "you got to be kidding, you stood right there and let her throw an illegal screen." I told him politely that it was his player who caused the whole mess, there was no advantaged gain as the ball went out of bounds off of B. Coach B gets upset and starts reciting his unique version of the rule book. Ball changes direction and then quickly back. A1 then dribbles to same wing, and picks up dribble, pivots a few times and then pumps like she is going to pass the ball, however, her pivot foot comes up in the air and she balances on her front foot for about 3 seconds until she finally passes to a team mate. He goes bonkers again, wanting a travel. I explain that it is not a travel until she touchs her pivot foot down with the ball. He again assures me that i do not know the rules. Question is this, how to you converse with a coach who is rating you, who really doesn't know the rules.

BktBallRef's advice is sage. You need to strike that balance between being approachable but not letting a coach disrespect you or get into a situation where he/she is questioning everything. It's a fine line and takes years to master (and even then you will screw it up once in a while).

As far as coaches having input on ratings: I agree that it's out of your control but I also agree that it's just a horrible way to do things. I would hate to work in an area where coaches were allowed any input on official's ratings.

I have seen official's who were afraid to give a well-deserved T to a coach because of what he would do them in his rating. From what I have seen, it leads to much poorer enforcement of bench decorum.

Z