T or let it ride?

[tomegun]

I went back to look at Juulie's "Thank you" post. This is how I read it and I'm saying this without inserting a whole bunch of my personal feelings into it. Too much bickering for a Sunday night - a Sunday night away from home for me (the older I get the more I want to say home. Is there a phobia for that?).

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Another response I use a lot when a coach is nagging is a very dispassionate "Thank you".

I'm understanding this as a somewhat dry response. I find nothing wrong with that.

Originally Posted by rainmaker

If the coach asks a direct question, use a standard response.

OK, do you mean standard response or appropriate response? I read that as one response regardless of the question. Here is where I would give an answer to that specific question - my answer to the next question may or may not be the same depending on the question. Also, remember that we cannot continue to give the coach the same answer all night because they don't expect the same situations they are questioning to continue all night. Sort of like admitting to a coach you kicked one. He/she may accept it the first time, but you can't keep kicking them all night.

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Otherwise say, "Thank you" and nod. This means, "I heard you". And that's all it means. "She's moving!!" "Thank you" "That's a foul!!" "Thank you" "They're all over us!!" "Thank you". You are acknowledging that the coach exists and that he's concerned about what's happening, and that's all. It really, really helps.

Again, these are responses to comments which I feel unnecessary. Especially doing two-man, which I assume some newer officials still do largely, there just isn't time for officials to continually listen to and respond to coaches. It becomes a problem and then you must go down a different path.
So if I were to answer these comments. If the same coach continually says things like this all game, it will get old fast. I cannot say what my response would be for sure because it would be a dynamic situation. However, "Thank you" doesn't come to mind.
One of my good friends works in the Pac-10, WAC and Mountain West. When I first got to Las Vegas he was still working high school because there just isn't a lot of ball to work in and around Vegas. He is a natural at communicating with coaches and not because he knows all the "witty" comebacks (I always wonder why people want to hear this and find it strange when they say they might use what someone else said). His communication is natural. It isn't always up and it isn't always down, it is appropriate for whatever the situation needs. He can go from telling a player he is from the hood too in a colorful manner to laughing and joking with Lute Olson. The cherry on top of all this is the fact that being in games with a coach over and over helps. That familiarity makes the communication easier for both the coach and the official.

I hope what I said makes sense without being aimed at anyone in particular. If it doesn't make sense, I'm away from home - which means I'm uncomfortable - I'm getting tired and I have been on this computer too long doing some research for other things.