Unprofessional Comment ?

[Chess Ref]

I had a rivarlty game that went sideways. Girls JV . Home team just destroyed the Visitors. We called 32 fouls in the second half. 25 of them on the Visitors. 4 players fouled out. 5 technicals, 1 on HC. Visitors were just slamming into people in the 2 half. I have had a player go on tilt but never a whole team. It was not pretty. Home team kept their heads about them even though it was obvious what was going on.

So lining up for a free throw, again, about 2 minutes left and I say in a calm and pretty quiet voice to ALL the players lined up. Though I really only needed to say it to the visitors. "Let's try and not go totally stupid these last couple of minutes."

My question is that comment of mine over the line or not ?

[Adam]

Did it work? I'm inclined to think that it depends on the delivery. Most importantly, did it work?

[BLydic]

And, what was the reaction of the players. They might have understood what you were trying to say.

[orangeump]

different situation for me last night, just a dirty girls varsity game......early in the first and they are just killing one another.

I told them before an inbounds play "Hey, clean it up, ok?"

didnt work, of course.

two nights ago after a little jump ball scuffle I was walking with the player and said "dont do anything stupid, keep yourself in the game....."

similiar comments, I think and I think they are plenty professional.

oh and I told a coach that I am "working my *** off" again, totally professional in my opinion.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

"Let's try and not go totally stupid these last couple of minutes."

My question is that comment of mine over the line or not ?

Unprofessional? I don't know. Probably doesn;t sound PC. Out of line? No. I've used something similiar on several occasions.

Usually, it's been in football, especially in the playoffs. Things can get testy. I bring the winning team together and tell them, "Guys, they'll be at home next Friday while you're playing." Don't let them bait you into anything stupid that'll prevent you from doing that."

Sometimes you have to sound a little pissed off so kids will know you mean business.

[GFS-1]

Say what you want to say. Speak your mind, your in control of the game.
Not the fans,coaches, or players sittin' on the bench.

[just another ref]

I don't toss this one around casually, but when a game gets just too rough, I like to say, "Guys, y'all will all run out of fouls before I will."

[jmaellis]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

"Let's try and not go totally stupid these last couple of minutes."

My question is that comment of mine over the line or not ?

Substituting "foolish" for "stupid" might take some of the sting out of it.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by orangeump

football playoff talk...obvious bragpost by that guy.

No, an "Obvious bragpost" would be dropping experience when it's not really relevant. It was "obviously" relevant here.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by orangeump

different situation for me last night, just a dirty girls varsity game......early in the first and they are just killing one another.

I told them before an inbounds play "Hey, clean it up, ok?"

didnt work, of course.

two nights ago after a little jump ball scuffle I was walking with the player and said "dont do anything stupid, keep yourself in the game....."

similiar comments, I think and I think they are plenty professional.

oh and I told a coach that I am "working my *** off" again, totally professional in my opinion.

As a general rule, I try not to use expressions that a kid might get a T for. [Dang. Those grammar rules makers again!]

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

"Let's try and not go totally stupid these last couple of minutes."

ChessRef,
In my opinion you can find a better way to phrase what you desired to communicate to those players.

Originally Posted by orangeump

football playoff talk...obvious bragpost by that guy.

Orangeump,
If you knew anything about BktBallRef, you would understand how wrong your comment about him is.

[Mountaineer]

I don't think you crossed the line at all. I don't have a problem with it. It was light and not addressed at either team - you probably would have gone NUTS if you couldn't have used some levity . . .

[JRutledge]

I have no problem with what you said. You were sending a message and as adults we have the right to send a message to younger people to keep order. You did not call anyone a name or use inappropriate language. The word "stupid" in itself is not a bad word.

I would also like to know did those comments work?

Peace

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

"Let's try and not go totally stupid these last couple of minutes."

I have no problem with the statement because it addresses behavior, not personality. However.........

Words have meaning and some are more powerful than others...I have found through experience that "stupid" is a word that evokes powerful reactions. While deployed in the desert a couple years ago I officiated a lot of intramural games...in one, I told a guy (turned out to be a captain MD in the medical squadron) to stop the "stupid" play (he was frustrated and getting a little out of control). He got very angry that a referee had called him "stupid". I never did...I referred to his play, his behavior if you will. All he heard, however, was "stupid". Was my observation about his play correct? Absolutely. Was my choice of words in that emotional situation (and really, aren't sports at their very essence an emotional experience) the smartest? No, not at all.

For the last few years when play starts getting rough or potentially out of control, in a stern, directive voice I'll tell the players that this isn't a wrestling match, and instead remind them that we're playing basketball and they need to do just that. Works almost every time for me.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I don't toss this one around casually, but when a game gets just too rough, I like to say, "Guys, y'all will all run out of fouls before I will."

I've used something similar a time or four - once in a while it even works.