Medical paroblems: I always ask. Do you?

[Ignats75]

Wow SMitty. Your cynicism is showing.

Ever heard of psychology? Ever heard of of being courteous? Don't you believe that any time you can reach out to someone in a stressful situation it can set a positive tone for the day?

Of course the first time I call his PG for a charge he'll be hacked off, but it can't hurt. Or don't you believe in managing the game and just want to blow the whistle when you see a violation?

There is a psychological theory called piling on. Each negative occurrence emotionally stacks up on top of the individual and can cause a lack of control. Subconciously, positive interaction can reduce this tendency. Again, an easy little game management thing. Probably only changes things once a season, but its still a positive action.

[Smitty]

It's pretty amazing that you can tell that much about my personality and character based on that one response. Well done.

So you conclude since I wouldn't ask that medical question, I'm not courteous? Why do you assume that chatting with the coaches pre-game is necessarily a stressful situation that needs some lighthearted banter? You seem to be overcompensating for something. I simply don't feel the need.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Ever heard of psychology? Ever heard of of being courteous? Don't you believe that any time you can reach out to someone in a stressful situation it can set a positive tone for the day?

Ever heard of real life?

From my experience, the last thing that any coach wants to do pre-game is try to form a meaningful and lasting relationship with the game officials- unless they're trying to plant some kind of seed or gain an edge. They have got just way too much on their minds to worry about rather than trying to make nice to us. "Reach out to someone in a stressful situation"? You gotta be kidding me. If we intrude on their pre-game routine, we're an irritant.

Introduce yourselves, make sure their kids are legal, ask for questions, read a "sportsmanship" statement if your state requires it...and then get t'hell away from 'em and let them do their jobs.

The quicker, the better imo.

Personally, I save my pyschology skills for the MILF up in the fourth row.