Stupid Things Stupid Fans Say

Nevadaref · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 04:42pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainmaker
Few years ago. 6th grade boys.

"You do realize that you're taking away my son's college scholarship!!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Comments from Padgett don't count.

Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Have to clean the screen now.

Nevadaref · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 04:46pm

MS girls summer game.
Player is trapped in the bc by tight defense and requests a time-out. A father in the stands yells out, "Smart play. Way to avoid the 8-second violation."
I told him that this wasn't the NBA. Some people laughed, but I seriously doubt that most got the point.

Yes, I was fully prepared for someone to holler for a bc count violation only a few seconds after play resumed.

Coltdoggs · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 06:06pm

This wasn't a parent but a coach...14U league.

2 PC calls on same player and another PC on another player in the first half. He asked me if that was my favorite call...I said, "Not really, I have another one that I like!' He later got Td up for yelling "You are killing us out there today".

Game goes to OT, I go to the huddles to let them know they will get 1 TO for the OT period. Coach asks me if I am going to call any more PCs....I tell him "Well coach, if it's a PC, I'll call PC....if it's a block, I'll call block and if I don't blow my whistle, we got incidental contact...that work for you?" He cracked up laughing and said it sounded fair to him....

BillyMac · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 07:06pm

I just came across this yesterday on the Topeka Officials Association website. I haven't had time to "digest it" yet, so I don't know how educational, or helpful, it is, but I thought it fit this thread

General Techniques:
• Don’t walk directly to a coach. The coach will get your attention if they have a question.
• Statements by coaches don’t normally need a response. Answer questions, not statements.
• Let the coach speak/ask their question first, before speaking. Be a responder, not an initiator.
• Most coaches will have questions/comments when they believe the officials have missed an obvious call.
• Having the officials in closer proximity often calms down the coach.
• Be in control and speak in calm, easy tones. Be aware of your body language; maintain positive and confident body language.
• Make eye contact with the coach when the situation allows.
• Do not try to answer a question from an out of control coach; deal with the behavior first.
• If you’ve missed a call or made a mistake; admit it. This technique can only be used sparingly, perhaps once a game.
• Don’t bluff your way through a call.
• Do not ignore a coach.

Specific Communication Examples: Behavior/Question/Comment from Coach Official’s Response

Coach sees the play very differently than the official.
“Coach, if that’s the way it happened/what you saw, then I must have missed it. I’ll take a closer look next time.”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, however, on that play, I didn’t see it that way. I’ll keep an eye for it on both ends.”
“Coach, I had a good look at that play and here’s what I saw [short explanation].”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, but my angle was different than yours.”
“Coach, I had a great look at that play, but I understand your question and I’ll have the crew keep an eye on it.”
“Coach, I had that play all the way and made the call.”

Coach believes you’re missing persistent illegal acts by the other team.
“Ok coach, we’ll watch for that.”
“Coach, we are watching for that on both ends of the court.”

Coach is questioning a partner’s call.
“Coach, that’s a good call, as a crew we have to make that call.”
“We’re calling it on both ends.”
“Coach, they were right there and had a great angle.”
“Coach, we’re not going there, I can’t let you criticize my teammate.”
“Coach, they had a great look, but if you have a specific question, you’ll have to ask them, they’ll be over here in just a minute.”

Coach is very animated and gesturing.
“Coach, I’m going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the gesturing.”
“Coach, please put your arms down. Now, what’s your question?”

Coach is raising their voice asking the question.
“Coach, I can hear you/I’m standing right here, you don’t need to raise your voice.”
"Coach, I need you to stop raising your voice and just ask your question calmly.”

Coach is commenting on something every time down the floor.
“Coach, I need you to pick your spots, we can’t have a comment on every single call that is being made.”

Coach has a good point and might be right.
“You’ve got a good point and might be right about that play.”
“You might be right, that’s one we’ll talk about at halftime/intermission/the next time out.”
“You might be right; I may not have had the best angle on that play.”

Coach is venting, make editorial comments.
“I hear what you’re saying”
“I hear what you’re saying, but we’re moving on.”

Coach just won’t let it go.
“I’ve heard enough and that’s your warning.”

Mark Padgett · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 07:13pm

Here's a real time saver for all of these -

Coach sees the play very differently than the official.

Coach believes you’re missing persistent illegal acts by the other team.

Coach is questioning a partner’s call.

Coach is very animated and gesturing.

Coach is raising their voice asking the question.

Coach is commenting on something every time down the floor.

Coach has a good point and might be right.

Coach is venting, make editorial comments.

Coach just won’t let it go.

"YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!"

Of course, "Coach has a good point and might be right" never happens so don't worry about it.

Nevadaref · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 07:23pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I just came across this yesterday on the Topeka Officials Association website. I haven't had time to "digest it" yet, so I don't know how educational, or helpful, it is, but I thought it fit this thread

General Techniques:
• Don’t walk directly to a coach. The coach will get your attention if they have a question.
• Statements by coaches don’t normally need a response. Answer questions, not statements.
• Let the coach speak/ask their question first, before speaking. Be a responder, not an initiator.
• Most coaches will have questions/comments when they believe the officials have missed an obvious call.
• Having the officials in closer proximity often calms down the coach.
• Be in control and speak in calm, easy tones. Be aware of your body language; maintain positive and confident body language.
• Make eye contact with the coach when the situation allows.
• Do not try to answer a question from an out of control coach; deal with the behavior first.
• If you’ve missed a call or made a mistake; admit it. This technique can only be used sparingly, perhaps once a game.
• Don’t bluff your way through a call.
• Do not ignore a coach.

Specific Communication Examples: Behavior/Question/Comment from Coach Official’s Response

Coach sees the play very differently than the official.
“Coach, if that’s the way it happened/what you saw, then I must have missed it. I’ll take a closer look next time.”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, however, on that play, I didn’t see it that way. I’ll keep an eye for it on both ends.”
“Coach, I had a good look at that play and here’s what I saw [short explanation].”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, but my angle was different than yours.”
“Coach, I had a great look at that play, but I understand your question and I’ll have the crew keep an eye on it.”
“Coach, I had that play all the way and made the call.”

Coach believes you’re missing persistent illegal acts by the other team.
“Ok coach, we’ll watch for that.”
“Coach, we are watching for that on both ends of the court.”

Coach is questioning a partner’s call.
“Coach, that’s a good call, as a crew we have to make that call.”
“We’re calling it on both ends.”
“Coach, they were right there and had a great angle.”
“Coach, we’re not going there, I can’t let you criticize my teammate.”
“Coach, they had a great look, but if you have a specific question, you’ll have to ask them, they’ll be over here in just a minute.”

Coach is very animated and gesturing.
“Coach, I’m going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the gesturing.”
“Coach, please put your arms down. Now, what’s your question?”

Coach is raising their voice asking the question.
“Coach, I can hear you/I’m standing right here, you don’t need to raise your voice.”
"Coach, I need you to stop raising your voice and just ask your question calmly.”

Coach is commenting on something every time down the floor.
“Coach, I need you to pick your spots, we can’t have a comment on every single call that is being made.”

Coach has a good point and might be right.
“You’ve got a good point and might be right about that play.”
“You might be right, that’s one we’ll talk about at halftime/intermission/the next time out.”
“You might be right; I may not have had the best angle on that play.”

Coach is venting, make editorial comments.
“I hear what you’re saying”
“I hear what you’re saying, but we’re moving on.”

Coach just won’t let it go.
“I’ve heard enough and that’s your warning.”

Billy,
For the most part this is very good. The only thing of which I'm not in favor is all the references to "both ends." That is just going to open the door for the "call it both ways" comment. I would try to avoid that kind of terminology when interacting with a coach.

JS 20 · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 28, 2008, 07:54pm