Venting

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Game 2- 8th grade girls. Home takes charge and in control the whole game. in the 4th quarter a home fan unhappy with several of my calls is yelling and yelling and yelling about EVERY call I make, " call it both ways" , " If it was a foul at the other end, it's a foul at this end too" " You're Terrible" OVER AND OVER AND OVER...I NEVER let a fan bother me, but this guy got under my skin, during a dead ball, I turned to the stands, not know which guy it was, and said "I don't know who it is that is yelling, but if I hear one more word, you won't be in this gym." That was it, everything was fine after that.

Way to take care of business. I applaud you! Next time, don't go against every fan in the gym because not all of them are involved. If you are going to address the fans, find the perpetrator first. All you need to do is identify him/her. Then give them the stare. Most of the time this is all you need do and it may save you a few words you could later regret. Then if that don't work, you can issue the ultimatum to the fan in question.

One thing I should caution you on issuing ultimatums. Be prepared to follow-thru.

I'd prefer not to address the fans, but in this case it was worth it.

That's right, get a little off your chest and it makes the ride back home a little better. Last night, I ejected my first player ever. I hate it when you get pushed to that point.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Old School

If you are going to address the fans, find the perpetrator first. All you need to do is identify him/her. Then give them the stare.

Absolutely terrible advice...never to be used by any real official.

Do NOT stare at fans. You ignore them or you unload them. You are not there to antagonize them. If you ever try that nonsense, believe me, you might find yourself in a situation that you do not want to be in. Other than being completely unprofessional, it's also stoopid.

[Jway44]

If you give the fans any sign that you are paying them attention, it will only get worse. Just remind yourself that there is a reason that you are on the floor, and they are in the stands. You are going home with the check in your pocket and they paid to watch you work. (not really, but you know what I mean) The best way to handle fans is to completely ignore them. If they think that you are the least bit bothered, they will only get worse. If they use profanity or do something that requires action, go to game management and let them handle it. We are there to do a service for the schools, not the fans in the stands. Ignore them, always smile, and remember that you and your partners are the only people in the gym who do not care how the contest ends. Everyone else in the building is there pulling for one team or the other, so there is automatic bias toward anyone that is not "for" their team.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Jway44

If you give the fans any sign that you are paying them attention, it will only get worse. Just remind yourself that there is a reason that you are on the floor, and they are in the stands. You are going home with the check in your pocket and they paid to watch you work. (not really, but you know what I mean) The best way to handle fans is to completely ignore them. If they think that you are the least bit bothered, they will only get worse. If they use profanity or do something that requires action, go to game management and let them handle it. We are there to do a service for the schools, not the fans in the stands. Ignore them, always smile, and remember that you and your partners are the only people in the gym who do not care how the contest ends. Everyone else in the building is there pulling for one team or the other, so there is automatic bias toward anyone that is not "for" their team.

So the other night when I told a fan he "didn't have the nutz to officiate", I was being unprofessional?

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

So the other night when I told a fan he "didn't have the nutz to officiate", I was being unprofessional?

You know better then to acknowledge a fan!!!! Bad Ref!!!!

[Jway44]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

So the other night when I told a fan he "didn't have the nutz to officiate", I was being unprofessional?

Probably not a good idea. The thing about it, in our varsity association, you never know if an evaluator is sitting in the stands or not. They tend to show up often, and hide amongst the crowd until after the game. I don't think that they would like the idea of making comments into the crowd.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Jway44

Probably not a good idea. The thing about it, in our varsity association, you never know if an evaluator is sitting in the stands or not. They tend to show up often, and hide amongst the crowd until after the game. I don't think that they would like the idea of making comments into the crowd.

Luckily I was working an intramural game at a Navy base. I know I shouldn't have said it but my teen-age son had really pissed me off that day so I needed to vent at someone, so I picked this a$$-hole who was sitting behind one of the benches. I'm retired Air Force so it felt good to take out my wrath on a Navy puke.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Luckily I was working an intramural game at a Navy base. I know I shouldn't have said it but my teen-age son had really pissed me off that day so I needed to vent at someone, so I picked this a$$-hole who was sitting behind one of the benches. I'm retired Air Force so it felt good to take out my wrath on a Navy puke.

Now this, I can understand. My brother's career Navy now, and you know my status.

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Absolutely terrible advice...never to be used by any real official.

Somehow, I get the feeling that anything I say will be terrible advise to you. Thrown any officials under the bus lately?

Do NOT stare at fans. You ignore them or you unload them. You are not there to antagonize them. If you ever try that nonsense, believe me, you might find yourself in a situation that you do not want to be in. Other than being completely unprofessional, it's also stoopid.

Hey, I'm only reporting what works. It worked for me and I didn't have to go bother home management and I didn't have to say anything to anybody. All I did was eyeball the disruptive fan, and once I identified where he sat. Everytime he said something that I didn't like. I would look at him to let him know I know it's you. Now, if I have to have the fan removed, I know exactly who I'm going to have removed. I'm not guessing and generalizing everyone that's there. Last, and I really wasn't going to bring this up but since you say it's terrible advise. I don't know about you but I need to know how far some people are willing to go. I need to know who the person is in case they might try something after the game. You never know and you certainly won't know who to avoid or who maybe coming after you upon leaving if you don't look up there to find out.

You don't have to stare but you let them know I know it's you. A couple of quick stern looks and they generally calm down. Also, I generally don't get involved with a fan that's just complaining about a call. It's when the fans starts to get personal is when I start to pay attention.

But that's just me.