Here's an idea
 

Guys - what do you think of this idea? We've all had coaches who want to call the game. They yell things like "traveling", "carry", "foul", etc. How about we all agree to do the following. Whenever they yell out a call, we get to yell out a coaching instruction at their team. For instance, they yell "travel", we yell at their guard, "switch". Or, next time they're on offense, we yell at their center "post up", etc. You get the idea.

When they ask us what the heck we're doing, we tell them that every time they try to call the game, we're going to coach the game.

I think it's worth a try.

WARNING: if Larry Craig is coaching, just ignore him when he yells "that's a reach" or "over the back". :p

Certainly has some merit. Although, I personally could never get away with it....my sarcasm, humor, and expertise just aren't that good.

What about the fans (parents) who are already trying to do both?

I have one MS parent who is so loud he is a distraction to the players.....constantly yells at his son and the team. I asked the AD about it and he said he'd handle it......next time I was there, it was same ole same ole. Of course, on occasion he tries to help us too......

Could take your suggestion up a notch and let him ref and coach it at the same time! And the coach and my fellow officials could yell "encouragement" to him!

What is it with you & Larry Craig?:cool:

Seinfeld Lives ...
 

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I proposed to my refs in my rec league that we donate one day's game checks to the IHSAA for purchase of rule books that we could stuff in our pockets. Then one one of those silly azh fans yelled something like "OVER THE BACK" we could fling a rule book at them on our next trip to the other end of the court! :D

Problem with that is...I'm not sure 6 refs x 5 games each X $25 a game would cover enough books! :o

Plus, you'd get called lard@$$ till you emptied your pockets.

I've been saying for years that our official's jerseys should have "There's no such foul as a reach" printed on the front and "There's no such foul as over-the-back" printed on the back.

Actually, I've thought of carrying cards in my pocket that say that and just handing them to coaches during games when appropriate.

Big deal - in a typical game, that would take about 30 seconds. :D

I'd be willing to donate more than one game fee, if we could get the rule book in hard back. :D

Maybe we can all pool our money together and send lpbreeze to a basketball camp in Southern California. :D

That's hitting below the belt, try to keep the gloves up. :D

Seeing this forum has gone to the "over the back" And "reach in" I just need some clarification. I am in my second year of officiating now and enjoying every minute of it. I had coached youth basketball for the last 20 years and was looking for a way to stay around the game. My concern is officials constantly on this forum make a joke of coaches and fans who use the above terms. In my coaching I would always use these terms because people are trying to rebound over the back of the person boxing them out making illegal contact. They also do reach in trying to steal the ball which is no foul unless illegal contact is made. Every fan in america also hollers out the same verbage in those situations. As an official now I understand these are called a push or hold etc. I think most officials understand what the coach is implying in these situations don't they? I was coaching in the Nike showcase in Chicago last year and I holler over the back when someone came from behind to gather a rebound in my opinion gaining an unfair advantage. The referee says to me their is no over the back foul with no further explanation. In my mind hearing this for the first time in 20 years of coaching think he of course is an idiot. I guess he needed to explain to an idiot coach it is a push. I guess I am just trying to give some input from the other side to put this in perspective. I guess even some officials give the sign indicating over the back to further confuse the average fan or coach. Just thought I would throw this out there to hopefully not take a beating but just to maybe give a different angle. Thanks

Forgive them Father for they know not what they do...

Usually, the use of these terms, "reach" and "over the back" come with common misconceptions. The people that use these terms are less likely to have an understanding of the rules and how they are interpreted; that's why it has become a pet peeve of many officials. I can't comment about the official at the Nike camp, as I was not there, but I know there is a tendancy among officials to dismiss comments that could be construed as showing a lack of understanding of the rules. But I would think if you would've said something along the lines of, "My player was pushed/displaced/contacted illegally", you might've gotten a better answer or reaction from that official, as you are then speaking in rule terms, not "fan-speak".

I work with two officials who will usually make an "over the back" and "reaching in" call a couple of times a game. I have cringed a few times working with them. I spoke with them both about the calls, their excuse: I used to be a coach!