Interaction with crowd

[Back In The Saddle]

You can generally lump interactions with fans into two categories. There are those situations where the answer to the question of whether to talk to fans is definitely No. On the other hand, there are those times when the answer is Hell No! Knowing the difference is important

[Jway44]

Leave the crowd alone. They are the least of your worries out there on the court. Just handle players and coaches and you will be fine. I think my signature says it all.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by Jway44

Leave the crowd alone. They are the least of your worries out there on the court. Just handle players and coaches and you will be fine. I think my signature says it all.

Your signature line should say "crowd's stupdity" though, not crowds stupidity.

[SWMOzebra]

I guess it depends on why you're officiating 4th grade. As I started to officiate, I used the rec leagues of younger kids to work on my mechanics, floor positioning, "game management," etc. My goal was to build skills and get into the habit of doing things the way the local association wants them done in a jr high or high school game. Since virtually every official I've met has counseled me to refrain from speaking with the fans, I made it a habit not to talk to the fans in rec league play. If your goal is the same, getting court time to help you develop your own skills, I would definitely suggest NOT speaking to the fans.

Now, if you're working this age group to help kids develop their skills or a different reason...then I guess go with what your instinct tells you. Not all, but many, parents (oh, and coaches) of younger kids lack a basic understanding of the rules. In particular, BC violations, hand-checking, intentional fouls, and the like don't seem to register with them. Short of conducting a weekly seminar, you'll be hard pressed to help them understand why what you called was the correct call.

[JRutledge]

If the conversation is confrontational in nature I would say do not interact with any fans. If there is something funny or they are directly getting involved with players (not necessarily in a bad way), then I have no problem with some interaction.

Peace

[Adam]

I might apologize to the dad for costing his son a college scholarship, but that's about it in a 4th grade game when the Dad is whining like this.

Learn from it. You could show him a replay and the rulebook, and it's not going to have any affect.

As Rut says, though, there's nothing wrong with some lighhearted interaction if the atmosphere is conducive.

[Indianaref]

Thanks to all. The general consensus is not to, and I won't. This level is definitely a stepping stone, and if I am going to make mistakes, I rather it be at this level. By the way, this forum has been absolutely awesome.

[Raymond]

I am one who talks to the crowd from time-to-time. But I only do it when it is obviously light-hearted. I will only talk to the crowd if I have a smile on my face and I'm seeing smiles back at me.

However, I never initiate any conversations (unless she is cute and single ) and I don't hold rules clinics for them. I never engage confrontational fans and I ignore any negative comments.

[blindzebra]

It's a situational thing...I generally ignore them, sometimes they will say something so good, I'll react and smile or laugh and they will pick up on it.

With the younger kids, I'll take some opportunities to educate the parents on what the rules are from time to time.

I have had a couple of times with student sections this year where I've talked to them a bit.

The best one was after I had two kids on the floor for a loose ball and I stopped the game because we had a huge wet spot, a kid from the student section took off his tee shirt and started wiping it up...they had a white-out night...I pointed to a spot by my foot that he missed and he gave my shoes a quick buff while he was down there. It was priceless.

[Ref Daddy]

By definition the crowd are "spectators" - be very careful.

My dreamm is to hand out a rules questionaire before a game and see who gets them anywhere near correct -
Define a blarge
The three second rule
Define "over the back" (!)
Whats a COACH'S BOX

[stmaryrams]

Indy,

At the 4th grade level I would feel free to address a polite question regarding rules from the fans. I had a game early in my career where a parent asked me about 5 second counts. After I explained it to him he was very appreciative. It doesn't work for every official or fan. Some are just being instigators.