Your opinions please
 

I am new to this site and this is my first post. I have been officiating sub-varsity basketball for just a few years and I’ve been visiting this site to learn from the experiences and opinions of others. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share.

An incident happened recently that I witnessed and I’m seeking your thoughts. As with all events, there are numerous side issues but I want to distill this and limit the discussion to some central questions.

A local high school has a successful basketball program with a well-known coach [Coach]. A few days ago, I attended their home game. Before the game, I had exchanged greetings with the two varsity officials [A and B], and they invited me to their locker room at halftime. By halftime, Coach’s team was soundly beating the opponent. I watched from high in the bleachers and didn’t notice any controversial official’s calls.

As invited, I went to the officials’ room at halftime. As I passed through the locker area and went around a corner to wait in front of the officials’ dressing room, Coach was screaming about someone with no restraint about his volume or his profanities. A moment later, the officials entered the area and I realized Coach had been waiting there to confront A. He verbally attacked A -- screamed at him, used several profanities, screamed about several calls/no-calls, screamed that he should go back to where he came from (A just rejoined our association after being out of area for several years), etc., etc. Any attempts by A to respond were interrupted by more screaming. As mentioned, I was just around a corner and did not see this -- I only heard this portion of the tirade. This continued for perhaps a minute or so, then they all came around the corner so the coach could unlock the officials’ locker room. At that point I both heard and saw as the shouting continued (it never abated) as Coach unlocked the door and I followed A and B into the officials’ room. I do not recall at any time during the verbal attack hearing B attempt to mitigate the confrontation or intercede on A’s behalf.

After the door was closed, A shared that he had been warned by “about twenty” other officials that Coach would test him. He reviewed the plays that had apparently upset Coach but felt comfortable with his calls and his officiating. He quoted a couple of the coach’s comments during the first half, including some profanities from the coaching box.

B stated that he was on Coach’s approved list of officials and he therefore gets a “pass” from Coach. He told A he had two choices -- he (A) could issue a technical foul or he could let it go. If he (A) issued the technical, he (B) would support him. No technical was issued at the start of the second half.

A told the association assigner and at least one other association board member about this incident. They are aware that I witnessed it.

Based on your experiences and the practices of your association, what do you think the following should have done differently or should do now?

A:
B:
Me:
The officials association:

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your opinions.

Verbal abuse off the court.
 

A: Write a detailed incident report, outlining the unprofessional behaviour and verbal abuse that A received outside the playing confines.

B: Act as an eye witness to the incident.

You: Act as an eye witness to the incident.

Association: Take the necessary action against the Coach in question. E.G. bring the issue to the attention of the athletic commission and/or school administrators (this is a place of learning after all, and school administrators should get the ultimate blame for putting someone like this in charge).

This is disturbing, but even more so is the fact that this Coach is in charge of teaching our kids good sportsmanship and professionalism. Is this the type of person we want teaching/coaching our kids???

1. The referee association needs to contact the school and insist that someone other than the coach be in charge of letting the officials into their room at halftime and following the game.

2. Official A needs to get some balls. Any coach who would try that with me would find himself remaining in the lockerroom for the second half. If the school/coach didn't have me back at their institution that's fine. If you don't insist that people treat you with respect, they won't.

3. Official B needs to get some balls. Standing there while someone screams at your partner is not being a good partner.

4. If your association leadership wishes this behavior to stop, they can make it happen. It would be your duty to provide whatever support they need from you in effecting this change, since you witnessed the confrontation.

Amen!<i></i>

I agree completely!

Referee A should either Whack the moron, or ask if he can be the guys personal towel boy at all future games.:rolleyes:

Like protecting my partner(s) "six"......I totally agree with this assessment!

My two bits'. Flagrant T and a detailed report. I probably would have turned around and walked back to the court to charge the technical foul as soon as the verbal abuse became apparent. No way I'm standing there and taking that.
And, assuming the profanities during the game were directed at the official, those would have earned a quick T as well. It might have told the coach he couldn't get away with that.

When I was a young lad getting started in officiating, I had a similar experience. A junior high coach came into our locker room at halftime and chewed on me for a couple of minutes. I didn't do anything for two reasons: 1. I was young and inexperienced. 2. It was my old junior high coach and I was quite shocked he would do this. I regreted not sticking him after the game and ever since. No way it happens now. This is one time I might be inclined to give the stop sign :D , out of sight, just stick my hand right in his face and tell him to save it. I would have no problem starting the second half with a T if he didn't comply. If he were the one with the keys to my dressing room and wouldn't open it after the first one, he would be real close to the 2nd one as well. :)

(This rant is NFHS based)

Far be it from me, a 4th year official just now starting to do varsity, to normally question the competence of a brother(sister) official. BUT....I really question whether the victim is ready to handle varsity basketball based on the OP. There is no way an official IMHO, should EVER tolerate profanity on the court. Not from players. Not from coaches. Frankly, not even from fans. Regular profanity is an automatic T. Screaming as described in the OP is flagerant. I agee. Bye-bye. And paperwork to the State High School Association. (Which is mandatory in Ohio for ejections.)

This situation is so eggregious, I'm actually getting fired up reading about it.:mad:

Read Your Manuals
 

In The Back Of Your Rules Book Is "the Coaches Code Of Ethics". The Coaches Have This Same Rule Book.

In The Back Of Your Officials Manual You'll Find "the Duties Of Game Management", The Administrators Have This Copy Also. Use Documentation By Nfhs To Back Yourself Up If Needed. You Have Witnesses, Nothing Else Needed But To Address The Problem.

There is no way a coach would be yelling and screaming at me off the court in that way. If this is a HS game, this would be filed as what we call a "Special Report" which is used for ejection reports or anything unusual that might need to be brought to the attention of our state. My official's association has no power over this. My assignor might also want to know what took place as well.

Before all of that, the coach would have known that his behavior was not acceptable by me in some way even if I was not working the game. You are not going to yelling and scream at me after the game is over.

Peace

A: Simple answer, the head coach is ejected. This is a no brainer. Yes, I have to do paperwork, but that kind of behavior is not tolerated anytime.
B: Grow a backbone.
You: Bet ready to give your version of the story
Association: Back up your officials.

A: "Coach, open the g** d@mn door and get the f**k out of my face"

Me (to Coach): "Thank you for your input coach. Now, I need you to go talk to your team and get them ready for the second half, and please prepare your assistant to coach them. You won't be returning for the second half. Thank you Coach. Have a good night."

Start the second half with 4 Free Throws by the visiting team, and the visiting team gets the ball at the division line. Oh, and make sure that the technical fouls are correctly annotated in the official book. :)

yup easy ejection -- who cares if I DONT work at said school -- this goes back to my rant in another thread -- grow some @#$@# dignity and pride and self-respect. In this instance if the coach had me cornered and I tried to get away and he kept cornering me he might find himself on the floor along with an ejection.

What in the world does dignity, pride and self-respect have to do with this thread (as it relates to the officials)?

Peace

Official A and B showed lack of dignity to stand up for themselves -- lack of pride in what they do in thier failure to punish said coach and no self-respect for taking such verbal abuse -- I could be wrong but what the OP described sounded like a lack of all 3 to me.

I think the officials held onto their dignity and maintained their professionalism by not showing indignation.

no they didnt -- they let the coach get away with that with no punishment...official B it appeared didnt even try to help A out -- and it seemed like his response was well "your new at this school so you gotta pay your dues and take it in the behind"

but I could be reading it wrong -- maybe he was offering A verbal support "go get em buddy" "you got em" "dont let up" -- BadNewsref said it best

Coach, open the g** d@mn door and get the f**k out of my face

I realize that the first emotion for many is to go off on the coach and curse him out. That would have likely done nothing but give the coach ammo to behave worse than he already has and to blame you for the confrontation.

I have had a similar situation happen to me after a game and I told the coach that he need to leave right now because we are not discussing what happen in the game. I did not realize when I first read this that the game was still going on, but I think the officials handled themselves wonderfully considering the fact the game was not over. He would have likely been T'd if not ejected from the game. We might have had to talk about it in the locker room.

But to say they showed a lack of dignity to not lower themselves to the level of the coach is absurd to me.

Peace

i never said lower themselves to the level of the coach

do you just stand there cornered? what do you do if you cannot get any words in? this isnt MLK's nonviolent sit-ins -- but in this case this official needs to be a bit more assertive IMO. And when he has a second alone with his partner slap the he!! out of him for not trying to defuse the situation. And its ok to stand up for yourself in this situation -- I mean you dont have to cold cock the guy unless you feel threatened in such a way but it sounds like they let him step all over them as a crew.

What were they supposed to do, fight him?

I would have hoped that I let the coach just talk himself out. What else can you say but "Can you let me into the room please?"

Dude, this is not a protest march or sit-in. This is not a Civil Rights issue. This is a person overreacting to an issue in a sporting event. This did not take place in a bar or in the parking lot which I might handle totally different.

That is fine if you feel that way. I do not agree with you that you need to get upset or act as if you are about to fight. There is a time and there is a place. This is not the time or the place to act like a fool and then it becomes a "he said, he said" situation. Now if you want to fight everyone in that situation that is your choice. I think you do not need to "lower yourself" to that level because you are confronted by a coach. At the very least, I would just keep walking and tell the coach "You need to get out of my way." But yelling and screaming back is not going to do much of anything. You still have another half to go.

Peace

Of course I was joking above. But seriously, hopefully the coach would not have a had a chance to earn a T with me. The first words out of his mouth I would have interupted him and said "Coach, you need to let us in the room and leave us be. We will not engage you in any conversation at this time."

In addition to technical fouls coming out in the second half. I will call my association breif them on what happened and what my next actions are and if in any way there were personal threaths I would call the authorities to make sure to file a harrassment report.
That is truly harrassment. The FAns, Coaches, players feel that once you wear the stripes of black and white it gives them the ability to physically and verbally abuse us. I am at zero tolerance.

A few things trouble me about this scenario.
1. The coach has an "approved" list of refs. The assignor should be the only one to approve refs. Letting a coach approve refs is like the fox guarding the henhouse.
2. Profanity is an automatic unsportsmanlike technical foul (unless you mutter "sh*t" after missing a hoop...) Directed at an official there is no reason not to call a technical.
3. The home coach has the key to the officials room. At a minimum I would change this to the home coach gives you the key pre-game. Giving a hothead a key to your sanctuary is not wise.
4. How can that official work the remainder of the game and not be biased after enduring continued verbal abuse? He is either afraid of losing assignments, afraid of the coach, a professional victim/punching bag. A senior official told me a long time ago: when you let a coach get into your head during a game...your toast...you are know thinking about what his reactions will be, will he be pleased, is he/she second guessing my calls etc...
Overall this sounds like a situation that needs some serious reconsideration. I would speak again with your assignor and co officials. Use this example as a case study to work on.
Thanks for bringing it up...it raises many good questions.

My first post!

welcome canuckref -- shall we start the bidding on how soon he figures out OS's schtick at $2 in 48 hours?

OS im just teasing you -- i love you man :)

I said the above about OS before I read his post in the thread about a T before the game... :(

In the real world, there are several states that operate like this. And.....it's kinda funny that about 90% of the stories posted here similar to this one about officials refusing to take care of bidness seem to come from the states that use this type of procedure. Sad but true.

Welcome to the forum.

You could immedately turn around and walk back out onto the court. If he choses to follow and continue, it will be visible to everyone.

Last thing I'd do is stand there and listen.

Cameron,

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Except I would go to the table and make sure that the book had 2 Ts registered in the book for the coach.

In my mind, this is a 1 Flagrant T Situation. Granted, giving him 2 costs him an additional 2 shots, but why bother.

To sum up what a lot of other people have said: Grow some nads and whack him, at least once. Do the paperwork required. Enjoy a more peaceful 2nd half.

Profanity on the court in a high school is an Automatic T From me whether it's directed at someone, or of you're just pissed off at yourself for missing a layup. It has no place in a high school game. The one exception I may make is if someone loses a kneecap or something and goes down writhing in pain, but even that is going to be given a quick hard look.

this was worse -- this was a chew out at halftime outside the officials locker room :o

Funny that this should come up so recently. Last night, my partner T'd the home coach. We seatbelted him and he coached the rest of the night. No further incident.

But guess where we were changing? That's right. In the home coach's office. So after the game, he lets himself into the office to discuss why he got the T. I was in the shower when he first came in. Fortunately, when I got out of the shower, the conversation was mostly cordial. I wish my partner had just told him to wait till after we were dressed.

It turned out fine. It could've been ugly, though.

Naked and half-dressed refs isn't ugly enough!?!?!

Not in my case.

I used to sell tickets......

It's true, it's true......

Assessing a Technical Foul off the visual confines.
 

Are there any references in the rules that allow you to assess a technical foul, while off the visual confines of the playing court???

Yes. 2-2.

???
 

Did you mean Rule 2, section 3???

2-2 works.

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment.

This incident happened almost two weeks ago. At an association meeting a couple nights later, I was told some board members had been discussing it but they had not determined a certain course of action. Even though they knew I was a witness, they didn't approach me at the meeting, I had to approach them. There was mention of re-arrangements of the officials dressing area and access to the key, and re-assignments of officials to avoid contacts between the parties. When I heard what they were considering as a response, I shared that I was disappointed and hoped they would do something much stronger. I have heard virtually nothing from the association about this since. The unspoken message is, "Please be quiet. Ignore what you witnessed."

If you knew more of the facts you would be even more outraged. There were some mitigating factors that influenced A's actions and if you knew those I'm certain you would be more sympathetic to his predicament.

I'm deeply disappointed in my association and am concerned they will let this pass. It is a gross violation of the Codes of Ethics for the coaches, officials, game management, and the high school sports association. I've communicated my concerns to the association president, a couple board members, the assigner, and offered support to A. Is there something else I could or should do?

Sounds like you've done what you can. From the sound of things you've intimated it's gotten political, and if you try to push any harder it's only likely to blow up in your face. One thing I would suggest is that you sit down and write a summary of the events, being sure to clearly distinguish your observations from your opinions. Print a copy, sign & date it and file it away. That way, if it ever does come up again you have something you can refer back to.

Good call, Tim.