Motivation to do the right thing

[tomegun]

There have been many times where I feel like doing the right thing for the game and requiring sportsmanship at all times has left me vulnerable because it seemed like I was the only one on my crew doing this. I have lived in various states and have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with several players and coaches who forget about sportsmanship once the game begins. I currently live in Mississippi and have been brutalized by some coaches ratings while having a nearly perfect rating from my fellow officials. The gentleman from the state office recently sent out two emails addressing this issue as well as one email sent out by our local assigner. This is the latest email from the state:

As you are aware, the MHSAA has been promoting sportsmanship. One priority for the MHSAA Executive Committee this year is to improve sportsmanship. We have a firm that is directing a sportsmanship campaign throughout the state. The expectations of this campaign are to make sure that the game is played by the rules; and the actions of all participants (administrators, coaches, players, officials and fans) be conducted with good sportsmanship. We expect our coaches and players to play within the rules and respect the officials and their authority.

We also expect the officials to administer the game by the rules and respect the players and coaches. By administering the rules, we expect the officials, administrators, and coaches to appropriately deal with all unsportsmanlike action immediately after it occurs.

At three different events this week, we have had coaches and fans make racial and ethnic remarks directed at officials along with several other unsportsmanlike issues. This type of action is totally unacceptable. Game administrators should take immediate steps to stop this type of conduct. The game official must deal with all unsportsmanlike issues and this is expected of all officials. Be firm and be fair.

When we ignore unsportsmanlike issues, we condone the action.

Let's treat the court and field as an extension of the classroom.

This sort of thing gives me a little motivation to keep on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately for some coach and/or player, I have now been given some backup from the state to (continue to) call all technical fouls for unsporting behavior that are earned.

[Adam]

Have at it, Tom.

[tomegun]

The assigner called me today and asked me what I thought about his email. I told him it is great to have emails coming out concerning this subject. The onus has now been placed squarely on the shoulders of the officials who have not been handling business.

For the record, not of this has anything to do with me - not directly at least . The local problems occurred during a game the assigner was observing where one official called like three well-earned Ts while the other officials needed to "raise a crop of testicles."

[Rodical]

I couldn't agree with you more. Whenever we allow coaches to verbally abuse us, we lose confidence and credibility with other coaches, players and fans. One solid warning is all we need to issue, then deal with unsportsmanlike conduct firmly. If we allow the issues to continue, we stand the chance of losing control of the coaches, the game and our own tempers. Communication with your partners is vital, and a good squad will be united.

[truerookie]

tomegun, your piece is right on!! I have seen situations and discussed situations with more experience officials and the jest of the conversations are, they do not want to receive a bad rating from coaches so they are more inclined to ignore the behavior.

[Mark Padgett]

Ya' know, I've always felt that having coaches rate officials is kind of like having criminals judge the police.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by tomegun

other officials needed to "raise a crop of testicles."

Shouldn't that be "drop a crop of testicles?"

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Shouldn't that be "drop a crop of testicles?"

ROFLMAO!!

MTD, Sr.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Shouldn't that be "drop a crop of testicles?"

Again, Big Bob comes in with a winner! Man, you are on a roll this winter.

[Mendy Trent]

Coaches should never have input to official's ratings. It makes official's hesitant to do the right thing for fear of reprisal.

I know a D-3 assignor who was asked by his coaches if they could have some input on the rating of the officials that he assigned. He said, "sure, if you want to hire a new assignor."

[RSmith]

Good timing on sharing the email. I am a 1st year ref and did a game last night... I'm sure I missed a call or two... but home coach barked at almost every whistle. This in turn let the crowd into getting nasty. In the 4th quarter, I went to the table to report a foul... he came clear to the table - got in my face - and said "I'm glad to see you can blow that whistle - I though you swallowed it along with a few other comments about calls. As I Td him up - he yelled out that he also knew that I would end up giving him a technical. He gave me no choice - but last night and today I was beginning to wonder... until I read your piece.

[Adam]

Where was your partner? He shoulda given him his 2nd one for the last comment. Short that, I'd have given him his ticket to the locker room myself.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by RSmith

Good timing on sharing the email. I am a 1st year ref and did a game last night... I'm sure I missed a call or two... but home coach barked at almost every whistle. This in turn let the crowd into getting nasty. In the 4th quarter, I went to the table to report a foul... he came clear to the table - got in my face - and said "I'm glad to see you can blow that whistle - I though you swallowed it along with a few other comments about calls. As I Td him up - he yelled out that he also knew that I would end up giving him a technical. He gave me no choice - but last night and today I was beginning to wonder... until I read your piece.

Coaches will give you exactly as much crap as you allow them to. The coach has one role to play during the game, and that his to coach his team. If this coach was truly barking on every whistle, it needed to be addressed within the first couple of minutes of the game. And if you're concerned that no single act by that coach "crossed the line" then have a look at the PPP philosophy some posters have shared this year. Or or dearly departed Chuck Elias' ABS philosophy.

But defintely don't wait until the 4th quarter to take care of business.

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by RSmith

Good timing on sharing the email. I am a 1st year ref and did a game last night... I'm sure I missed a call or two... but home coach barked at almost every whistle. This in turn let the crowd into getting nasty. In the 4th quarter, I went to the table to report a foul... he came clear to the table - got in my face - and said "I'm glad to see you can blow that whistle - I though you swallowed it along with a few other comments about calls. As I Td him up - he yelled out that he also knew that I would end up giving him a technical. He gave me no choice - but last night and today I was beginning to wonder... until I read your piece.

I have yet to adminster a T. But I have yet to be questioned by a coach either.

Ive had little comments.. like..

"wheres the count"

or

"he got hacked"

I just ignor it.. never has a coach ever confronted me.... yet LOL

[inigo montoya]

I absolutely hate it when a coach actually DOES know the rules for a 3-second violation BUT has a quick count, and yells "3 seconds!" when I'm at about 2 and a half. Now if I blow the whistle, I look like I'm just responding to or favoring the coach.