Don't talk to my player
 

I am working a rival game last night and two players who are playing hard and with great intensity. Both were getting a little aggitated. So during the dead ball period, I told them to start playing basketabll and stop with the looks at each other and continue to play hard. Just keep it under control. BOth of them nodded their heads and shook hands. The home coach goes off and starts yelling at me for talking to his player. He calls a time out and walks out towards me letting me know his displeasure for talking to his player. He continues to come towards me. I walk away to the other side of the court. He stands there staring at me. He wants an answer to his question. He went into the huddle to talk to his team. At the end of the time out, I walk over and let him know I am just keeping both players under control and left it at that. Question? Would you have talk to him during the time out or wait or just let it go?

The reason I waited I figured if the game was about to start up again he wouldn't have as much time to rag on me if the game was going than during a time out.

Let me make this clear first. Part of our job is to talk to players and anyone else directly associated with the game. If a coach does not want you to talk to his players, tell him that the first time they come to you complaining about something, then you will T them if that is how he feels.

If he wanted to put on a show, I would not have talked to the coach. I would probably tell him he needs to go back to his huddle and continue coaching. Then if he says anything out of line, you have dealt with his behavior first. Do not let a coach tell you how to do your job, ever!!!!

Peace

I completly agree with JR -- I would tell the coach if that is something you want fine -- but the first complaint I get out of you or one of your players will earn a T. then just move on.

guaranteed first time he yells -- "3 SECONDS" the only signal he will see that follows my whistle is my hands forming a nice little T shape to indicate that he is a "Total jackazz."

"Fine, Coach. Then don't talk to me for the rest of the night."

I don't see in your description that he asked you a question.

Me (to coach): "Coach I would rather talk your player out of a bad decision instead of assessing a technical foul for making a bad one." If coach continues after this point . . . ME (to coach): "Coach, I will be certain to address any future issues as you have requested. Thank you for you input."

Next time something happens . . . TWEET! Technical Foul. Obviously no explanation needed at this point. :)

First, get him off the court - "coach, I can't have you on the floor, you know that".

Then get him to stop yelling - "Coach, I'm going to talk to you man to man, there's no need for you to yell at me."

Then find out what his question is - "Coach, is there a question you have for me?"

He'll probably say "Yeah, why are you talking to my player?"

Then you answer "Because it's part of my job here" and walk away.

If he yells or follows you then T him.

Dan:

Great post, I could not have said it any better myself.

MTD, Sr.

Geeze Mark, I'm honored...although I'm sure you would have found a way to say it using at least 500 more words ;)

Anyway, I'm going to light a candle for you at my J Dallas Shirley temple.

I had a similar situation not long ago. I called a player for palming the ball twice in the first 4 or 5 minutes of game. While standing in front of the coach during a dead ball, I asked the coach if this was normally a problem for this kid to palm the ball. The coach's response was: "You referee and I'll coach". I didn't expect that response since there had been no problems up to this point. I said: "Understood". I figured there is no point in complaining about his response although I felt it was unwarranted. I just figured if he came looking to talk about something later in the game, there wasn't going to be a lot of dialogue from me.

As an official who also coaches, I think that was an appropriate response from the coach. If he's palming the ball, call the palm, and if someone asks you a question, answer it, but there is no need to make small talk with the coach or a player about basketball skills. It does not concern us as officials if a player is having problems doing anything basketball related, as long as we make the necessary observations and are aware of it. Bottom line: we're paid to referee and not to coach, at any level, and as a coach I might resent that comment because it can be interpreted as a swipe at his coaching ability. The coach's response was terse, but it was correct, this is how we get ourselves into trouble.

I'll bet what happened at some point (or more than once) in his coaching career, some referee said to him, "You coach and I'll referee." He's just been waiting to turn that around. As for discussing the call, if the coach doesn't want to talk about a call against his team, I'm not going to bring it up either.

And I'm sure you would have used much more "colorful" language! :D

I agree with Dan. Walk the coach back to the bench, let him say his piece. At the point he stops or asks you a question, tell him, "Coach, I told both players to knock it off and play ball. It's part of officiating. If you don't want me talking to your players, that's fine. I'll just hit him with the foul or the T next time." Turn and walk away. If he chases you, pop him.

But do not allow a coach to come onto the floor to confront you.

That's basically my take too. Good post imo.

The only time in my opinion you come to a coach about what may have been called is when you need to let a coach know of a potential problem with a player as it relates to sportsmanship issue (and you have to be careful there as well). Other than that leave the coach alone and let him/her ask you about a call. If they do not ask, they probably saw what you saw or know why it was called.

Peace

Excellent. Thats a good call!

Tony:

Please PM to tell me how to do the colorful printing like that. Daryl "The Preacher" Long is always telling me how colorful my language is. LOL

MTD, Sr.