I blew the call....

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

"You cost us the championship... you'll never work one of my games again" 2.4 seconds left.. I should have T'd him and I let it go.... i'm not sure why..Those are the calls I missed.. the two T's and as God is my witness in this forum I'll NEVER miss them again.

We often learn by our mistakes. I won't comment on the first possible technical foul, but I will certainly comment on the second: "You cost us the championship. You'll never work one of my games again". For me, this would be the easiest techncial foul that I've ever called. I might have to think about it for a split second, or two, but I might even go as far as a flagrant technical foul. Because it's flagrant, maybe some type of league rule would have some administrator look into this, or perhaps even make him, or her, sit out a game next season.

And, for your information, I have a pretty long fuse. Over sixty games this year, and not a single technical foul given to a coach. I can't really think of a warning, or a "stop sign", either. Either I was very lucky, or I'm losing my touch. I'm doing the Special Olypics Unified Games later this week. One more chance for me to T-up a coach, and maybe I'll even use that non-NFHS, baseball-style, you're outta here signal.

[Back In The Saddle]

Assuming the coaches hadn't been on you all game, your first warning sounds like a good way to handle the situation. It's a tense time in an important game, you've got to expect some emotions. You addressed the adult's bad behavior directly and gave them the opportunity to get it under control. And you did it in a way that didn't negatively impact the kids.

As for the second T, the coach deserved it. But... Might the discretion you excercised have actually been the right answer? Would the T have served any useful purpose? Would it have made the game better? Would it have gotten the coach under control? Would it have affected the outcome? Would it have righted some wrong?

Or, in the last game of the season, that's already been decided, and with less than three seconds on the clock, would it have only made an emotional situation more emotional? What if the coach really went off at you after getting the T? Are you prepared to toss him? With three seconds left? What if he refused to leave, then what? Forfeit the game?

I just can't see any possible positive outcome from dropping a T on this idiot at this point in this game. IMHO sometimes the best answer is to leave the T in your pocket and let the game end.

Just my $0.02

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

As for the second T, the coach deserved it. But... Might the discretion you exercised have actually been the right answer? Would the T have served any useful purpose? Would it have made the game better? Would it have gotten the coach under control? Would it have affected the outcome? Would it have righted some wrong? Or, in the last game of the season, that's already been decided, and with less than three seconds on the clock, would it have only made an emotional situation more emotional? What if the coach really went off at you after getting the T? Are you prepared to toss him? With three seconds left? What if he refused to leave, then what? Forfeit the game? I just can't see any possible positive outcome from dropping a T on this idiot at this point in this game.

From me: "I might even go as far as a flagrant technical foul. Because it's flagrant, maybe some type of league rule would have some administrator look into this, or perhaps even make him, or her, sit out a game next season."

Plus, a technical foul at this point in the game, or at any point in the game, will send the coach the message that "You cost us the championship. You'll never work one of my games again" is totally unacceptable behavior, which might help the next official that has the unfortunate experience to officiate this coach's next game, even if it's next year. It also sends a a message to all the players, and the fans, that conduct like this is unacceptable.

"Might the discretion you exercised have actually been the right answer?" Maybe.
"Would the T have served any useful purpose?" Yes, see above.
"Would it have gotten the coach under control?" No, but he wouldn't be in the gym any longer.
"Would it have affected the outcome?" Absolutely not.
"Would it have righted some wrong?" Yes, see above.
"Would it have only made an emotional situation more emotional?" Yes, but he would be emotional, After twenty-seven years, I'm pretty good at controlling my emotions.
"What if the coach really went off at you after getting the T?" My technical would probably have been flagrant. If it weren't, he would have gotten a second direct one and been tossed, hopefully by my partner.
"Are you prepared to toss him?" Yes, probably with the first technical being flagrant.
"With three seconds left?" Yes, three seconds, thirty one minutes, anytime. "You cost us the championship. You'll never work one of my games again" is totally unacceptable behavior, anytime.
"What if he refused to leave, then what?" Easy. Pick a fair time for him to speak to his assistant, let's say thirty seconds. Have the timekeeper put that time on the clock. You, or your partner tell the coach he has thirty seconds to vacate the gym or he will forfeit the game.
"Forfeit the game?" See above question, no problem.
"I just can't see any possible positive outcome from dropping a T on this idiot at this point in this game" I can, see above.

I consider this "T-Worthy". At any time. Period. And I haven't issued a technical foul to a coach this whole 60plus game season. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Back In The Saddle]

No question that the coach's behavior is unacceptable. And I'm not talking about the official's emotions. I'm talking about the kids, who are there to play the league championship game. I'm talking about the parents, who are there to watch little Johnny play the game. Remember, this was a 6th grade league. This moment is supposed to be about the kids, not about some OOO's need to send a message.

The game is better served, IMHO, by keeping the T in the pocket. Have a chat with the league administrator if you're concerned about the coach's behavior. Then go home, kick back on the sofa, and watch the game in your 72" HD tv.

[ranjo]

T or no T I won't comment on. We all have our own tolerance level and all types of considerations to take into account at any given level of play.

The point I want to make is:

YOU DID NOT CAUSE THE COACH OR HIS TEAM TO WIN OR LOSE THE GAME BECAUSE OF ONE MISSED TRAVEL!!!

The game is won or loss during the whole game while we are constantly making judgement calls about what to penalize and what to let go. As officials, we don't travel, double dribble, palm the ball, make substitutions, set the type of defense, take dumb shots,throw the ball away, miss shots or free throws, (you add on from here). Everybody remembers that last shot or whatever that happens at the end of a close game, but that's not what wins or loses games.

As soon as I got that in my head, I was able to relax more and make better judgements at the end of a close one.

[fullor30]

"You cost us the championship"

If that was the case, could you win him a championship?

[NewUmpinCT]

You have hit the nail on the head.... I don't remember missing those 12 foul shots...

[Brad]

Originally Posted by ranjo

The game is won or loss during the whole game while we are constantly making judgement calls about what to penalize and what to let go. ... Everybody remembers that last shot or whatever that happens at the end of a close game, but that's not what wins or loses games.

That's good in theory, but the reality is that if we are perfect for the entire game, but we screw up in the last minute or two, that is what everyone is going to remember.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Brad

That's good in theory, but the reality is that if we are perfect for the entire game, but we screw up in the last minute or two, that is what everyone is going to remember.

Yup.

Was once told that people remember the tone that you set (first 4 minutes of the game) and how you end the game (last 4 minutes).