Techical Foul-Ejection

[armymanjones]

Well I really don't see the problem if he doesn't know, saying so, and finding out. If the father approaches the ref, which he should not, the ref has the right to explain or ignore him and continue on to the locker room or car or wherever he was going. If anyone tactfully approaches me I will happily explain the rule not my judgement. However, having said that I limit my contact with fans, players, and even coaches at games so that no perception of favortism is relayed. I have not had to much trouble with this. If I am a spectator I only discuss calls with other officials not the other spectators.

[deecee]

i have never personally had a problem with a fan asking a question dependin on how they approach, how they ask and the type of setting. I dont discuss and I let them know its not a discussion but I will tell them the reason. This has maybe happened twice. I dont see why you have to jump to game management to get a jerk of your back if the father wanted to know what his son did and whether the son needs a talking to or not. And if the official said he thinks he got it wrong and maybe he was a bit harsh then the father -- if he is responsible -- might not have to chew jimmy out as bad as he thought.

why do we cluster ALL fans as jerks -- most yes but reading people body language and how they approach you can dictate intent and whether they will be civilized and just want to know What rather then What the #$%*

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by deecee

why do we cluster ALL fans as jerks -- most yes but reading people body language and how they approach you can dictate intent and whether they will be civilized and just want to know What rather then What the #$%*

We cluster all fans as jerks because if you don't, you have a good chance of becoming part of the statistics of sports officials who have been assaulted. Be Mr. Nice Guy if you want. Just know that you're taking your chances by doing so.

[BoomerSooner]

I realize I may take the heat off of shave-tail and put it on myself, but besides Dan who has made his position very clear, how does everyone feel about explaining rules to fellow fans (rules and their interpretations, not judgement calls)?

In my case, I limit my discussions to family and friends (not just some run of the mill fan) and always limit my discussion of any play to the rules as written. For example, during football season, I attended my old HS's homecoming game with my bestfriend and our wives and a question of the requirement to have 7 men on the LOS was posed to me by my best friend. Our old HS had been flagged multiple times for not having enough men on the line, and he asked if that was the right call. I simply explained that there must be 7 on the line, and that requirement wasn't being met. He didn't realize why (because they don't announce numbers, he was looking at WR's and TE's) and pressed the issue, so I began watching the linemen a little closer and caught the Tackle lining up in the backfield. I pointed this out before the play began and explained that aspect of the rule to my friend and how the rule stipulates whether or not a lineman is on the line or not. Sure enough out came a flag. I never questioned the officials judgement (obviously because I agreed, but had I not agreed and been asked, I would have fallen back on the old "the on-field official is in much better position to observe this" routine and kept my personal opinion to myself).

I find a football example easier to go with because in basketball I find most "rules" questions from friends or family are actually "was that really a foul" question, in which case I say it was a foul and my F&F know not even to ask. I've explained the AP issue where the arrow doesn't change because of a violation or foul before the AP throw-in is over, but again only in terms of B fouled A before the throw-in was complete A keeps the arrow and not the foul itself.

I know long post, but how many would deem even a discussion in this manner to be not appropriate?