How do you respond to coach who is right but an a** about it?

[bellnier]

Here's the sitch. Girls varsity game in large gym that has regulation court plus 3 courts at right angles to main court. Gym also supports volleyball, kickball, God only knows what else. The result is that there are zillions of lines on court. Unfortunately, there is another line parallel to, and just a few inches from, the half-court line. Player in frontcourt dribbles ball just over bogus line but not on real line. Ref calls backcourt violation. Coach goes ballistic. Do you reverse the call?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bellnier

Here's the sitch. Girls varsity game in large gym that has regulation court plus 3 courts at right angles to main court. Gym also supports volleyball, kickball, God only knows what else. The result is that there are zillions of lines on court. Unfortunately, there is another line parallel to, and just a few inches from, the half-court line. Player in frontcourt dribbles ball just over bogus line but not on real line. Ref calls backcourt violation. Coach goes ballistic. Do you reverse the call?

Yes, if it's before the ensuing throw-in ends. And, I address the coach's reaction.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bellnier

Here's the sitch. Girls varsity game in large gym that has regulation court plus 3 courts at right angles to main court. Gym also supports volleyball, kickball, God only knows what else. The result is that there are zillions of lines on court. Unfortunately, there is another line parallel to, and just a few inches from, the half-court line. Player in frontcourt dribbles ball just over bogus line but not on real line. Ref calls backcourt violation. Coach goes ballistic. Do you reverse the call?

Reverse the call, then T the coach. That way the turnover is now the coach's fault.

[Time2Ref]

I think you should go over to the calling official and tell them what you know. Then you let the calling official decide if he wants to reverse his call.

I find nothing wrong with quietly saying to a coach, "I might have booted that call. I'll try to get it right next time". (but not too early, LOL. Some coaches may see this as a sign of weakness and work on you).

The other night, I was throwing the ball in at the table. The visiting coach said something (I can't remember exactly what it was). I turned to him and said "Coach, I'm doing the best that I can out here". I thought he was going to say something like "If that's your best.....". Instead he replies quickly "You better be". It made me laugh.

[bellnier]

I was in the stands. Ref reversed call, but did not T-up apoplectic (sp?) coach. But let's say he did. After team B shoots freethrows, does team A then get to inbound on the errant backcourt call?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bellnier

I was in the stands. Ref reversed call, but did not T-up apoplectic (sp?) coach. But let's say he did. After team B shoots freethrows, does team A then get to inbound on the errant backcourt call?

Not in HS rules. The penalty for the T includes a throw-in.

Under NCAA rules, the ball returns to POI (which would be A's throw-in on the inadvertant whistle).

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bellnier

I was in the stands. Ref reversed call, but did not T-up apoplectic (sp?) coach. But let's say he did. After team B shoots freethrows, does team A then get to inbound on the errant backcourt call?

Nope, that's why I said earlier:

Reverse the call, then T the coach. That way the turnover is now the coach's fault.

B/c now, the coach's ignorant response will be the reason his team will not retain possession. I'm sure most of us have worked games with confusing lines. The coaches also know that the lines are confusing. Going ballistic over an honest and correctable mistake serves no purpose.

[bellnier]

Thanks all. Sadly, the coach in question is a local sports legend (having played pro ball) and gets a little too much leeway at times.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by Time2Ref

I think you should go over to the calling official and tell them what you know. Then you let the calling official decide if he wants to reverse his call.

I find nothing wrong with quietly saying to a coach, "I might have booted that call. I'll try to get it right next time". (but not too early, LOL. Some coaches may see this as a sign of weakness and work on you).

The other night, I was throwing the ball in at the table. The visiting coach said something (I can't remember exactly what it was). I turned to him and said "Coach, I'm doing the best that I can out here". I thought he was going to say something like "If that's your best.....". Instead he replies quickly "You better be". It made me laugh.

I think the OP was asking a basic question about reversing a call that we (officials) would make in error. I don't think the OP meant would you go and reverse your partner's call.

Additionally, I cringe (inside) when I hear officials say, "We are going to work hard...", "We are going to do a good job for you" and especially "I'm doing the best I can..." I would say just leave those statements alone.

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I think the OP was asking a basic question about reversing a call that we (officials) would make in error. I don't think the OP meant would you go and reverse your partner's call.

Additionally, I cringe (inside) when I hear officials say, "We are going to work hard...", "We are going to do a good job for you" and especially "I'm doing the best I can..." I would say just leave those statements alone.

I agree. That should be understood, you'll do your best all the time. You wouldn't say, "Sorry coach, my heart's not really in it tonight!" Would you?

[MN BB Ref]

We all kick a call once in awhile...unlike coaches. I had a situation about a month ago in a boys varsity game that ended up going to double OT (I know, my partner and I screwed up not only once, but twice ). Anyway, with about 2 minutes left in regulation, Team A was in the bonus and shooting a 1 and 1. I was administering the FT and when I entered the lane I told the players that it was two shots. For whatever reason my partner did not catch my mistake. Needless to say, the shooter missed the front end of the one and one and the ball was caught be a Team B player who then promptly handed it to me out of bounds. Immediately the Team B coach realizes the mistake and starts to scream that it was a one and one. I know how we handled the situation, but I would be interested in how you would do it.

Even though the game went to 2OT it was some of the most fun I've ever had in a game. I would definitely take a few more like this every year.

[biz]

Originally Posted by Time2Ref

I find nothing wrong with quietly saying to a coach, "I might have booted that call. I'll try to get it right next time". (but not too early, LOL. Some coaches may see this as a sign of weakness and work on you).

As a coach I have great respect for officials who are willing to admit they might have missed a call. I'm not perfect as a coach and I understand (as an official and a coach) that officials are not perfect.

As an official I have no problem with telling a coach I might have missed one if I think I missed it. I also don't have a problem admitting the same to the players on the floor. I think, in general, it makes the guys/gals in stripes seem more like people and not like the enemy.

[Adam]

A few years ago I was doing a boys freshman game; hotly contested for most of the game. Visiting team was pulling away in the fourth quarter, though, and had put their scrubs in with about 90 seconds remaining. Home team starts creeping back in it, and the visiting coach pulls the scrubs out after one of his kids gets fouled with about 45 seconds left. We’re shooting two, so the subs come in after the first free throw, and one of the scrubs doesn’t like being pulled so he kicks a chair and throws a water bottle onto the court.

Partner calls a flagrant T, coach apologizes and sends the kid to the locker room with an assistant coach. As we get ready to administer the second of the original two free throws, my partner says “two shots” to the shooter. As soon as he said it, he looked at me and we both knew he was wrong. Before he could correct himself, the home coach went ballistic. Partner walks over calmly and speaks through the coach’s antics, says, “Coach, we’ve got it handled. We’re getting it right, but we’re not going to have you show us up.” He walked the coach back to his bench while the coach stammered like a child, “but, but, but…”

Right now I’m not sure I wouldn’t T the coach.

[Rich]

I had this happen a few years ago -- a court with more lines on it than possible sports to play -- heel hits line, partner whistles a backcourt violation, realizes almost immediately it's an inadvertant whistle.

Coach said it happens a few times each season. Shrugged. Life went on.

I can't imagine a coach being a jerk about this. I wonder how a coach like this would act when he had a reason to be upset.

[tomegun]

[quote=biz].. I think, in general, it makes the guys/gals in stripes seem more like people and not like the enemy.[/quote]

Yesssssss! From the mouth of a coach.
How many times today during normal conversations disagreements and so forth has anyone used a stop sign today? Didn't think so. Coaches are people and officials are people.