At what point do you acknowledge fans/parents?

[Husker John]

We are all compilation of our own circumstances. In any 7/8 grade game I have been to has not had officers their to enforce the peace. Unfortunately, I am aware that this is not the case everywhere.

In the original case described in this thread there may be other resources that sometimes help. In addition, officials that have far more game experience would take other actions.

Like I said in my last response in no case should an official have to take the kind of verbal abuse that was given. In your description, there should never, ever be the kind of physical contact that you described. I am glad that I have never coached in, nor my kids played in that kind of environment.

One final note, this last fall in our middle school age football league, there was a point of emphasis from the league for the coaches to control the sidelines including the fans. Twice, I felt that our fans had continued their yelling beyond what I was comfortable with. Each time I walked onto the field and looked at the fans and said enough. Both times the fans calmed down and each time, I was thanked by the officials afterward.

It can work sometimes, but not in all. I hope you don't face too many environments like you described.