Some help. AUU tourney situation

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by btaylor64

You can also put a little acting job in there as well. after you blow the whistle to eject the kid add some more verbage like, "you can't say that to me"

Please don't do this. This is exactly the kind of behavior that leads morons to say, "You're not the show, you know!" Because if you do that nonsense, you are putting on a show. It's absolutely unnecessary. It doesn't make you look any better. Just take care of business. Everybody can see through theatrics, including an assignor. Just follow the rules in a professional manner and you'll go far. Put on a show and you look like a clown. JMO

[BillyMac]

These may be helpful to TRef21. I tried to email it to him in a private message, but it was too long, so for those of you who have seen these before, please ignore this post.

Technical Fouls
Top Reasons To Not Give A Technical Foul
• You can address a coach before it becomes a problem. A quiet word can go a long way in preventing a technical foul.
• When coaches complain, ask yourself, is the call questionable, is the call wrong. If they have a legitimate gripe, then allow them some latitude. Be courteous. Do not argue. Be firm and fair
• If you know a coach is upset then move away from him or her, even if it means that you and your partner are not switching or rotating properly.
• Warnings can be very effective in preventing situations from escalating. Don't tolerate a lot before a warning.
• Lend a reasonable ear. Coaches like to be heard. If you ignore them then they become more frustrated and are more likely to lose control.
• If an assistant is out of line, then you can speak to the head coach and ask them to help you out.
• If a player is out of line then let the coach know. Tell them you've warned their player. That way if you do give a technical foul, then the coach isn't surprised. Most good coaches will speak to the player first.
• If you have had a rough day and know your fuse is short, keep that in mind before you do anything rash. Ask yourself, does the situation come under one of the top reasons to give a technical foul.
• If necessary, give an initial strong warning. Let your partner know about the warning.
Top Reasons To Give A Technical Foul
There are many different factors to consider when deciding to give a technical foul. Generally, there are
three areas of coach's behavior that need attention: when a coach makes it personal, when a coach
draws attention to himself or herself, and when a coach's complaints are persistent. Some technical
fouls are easy. They are black and white situations that leave little room for negotiation:
• Using profanity or language that is abusive, vulgar, or obscene.
• A coach questions your integrity.
• Inciting an undesirable crowd reaction.
• A coach is embarrassing an official.
• A coach or player has been warned and has not heeded the warning.
• Leaving the confines of the coaching box and complaining.
• A coach demonstrates displeasure with your partner and their back is turned.
Other technical fouls are not as black and white. In some situations, a warning may be appropriate before
the technical foul is given:
• A coach or player continually demonstrates signals or asks for calls.
• If they have interfered with the game or your concentration, then they have usually gone too far.
• If giving a technical will help give structure back to the game and if it will have a calming effect on things.
Top Ways To Give A Technical Foul
• Calling a technical foul should be no different then calling any other foul. It is simply a rule that requires a penalty. Maintain a calm attitude, have poise and presence. Don’t personalize it. Don't embarrass the coach by being demonstrative.
• Take your time. Don’t over react. Always sound the whistle and stop the clock with a foul signal. Signal the technical foul. Take a deep breath to calm yourself. Proceed to the reporting area, report the technical foul clearly to the table, and leave the area. Never look at a coach when you give a technical foul.
• Confer with your partner. If the technical foul is charged to the head coach or bench personnel, have your partner inform the coach of the loss of the coaching box.
• Explanations, it needed should be done by partner. Always explain technical fouls on players to coaches.
• Proceed with the administration of the penalty. After technical fouls, put the ball in play immediately. Because a coach has been penalized with a technical foul does not mean that the coach is allowed rebuttal time.
• Make them earn the second technical foul. Don't be reluctant to give the second technical foul if it is warranted.
• Do not discuss a technical foul or an ejection of a player or coach beyond the confines of the gymnasium. Doing so is very unethical. The penalty is enough.

Communication With Coaches
General Techniques:
• Statements by coaches don’t normally need a response. Answer questions, not statements.
• Let the coach ask their question first, before speaking. Be a responder, not an initiator.
• Most coaches will have questions 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:
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.”

Following these guidelines has helped me with game management in my high school varsity games, and I don't hesitate to use them in lower level games, middle school, AAU, recreation, travel, etc.

[TRef21]

Originally Posted by Mwanr1

Tommy,

You got way too confrontational with the players, especially when these are 9th graders for AAU ball. If they mouth off at each other, whack both of them. Their 1st T is their first warning. I'd like what BadNewsRef said, say it loudly to your partner "Watch #24 and #???"(whoever #24 was talking to). This would usually alarm them to play ball rather talk. If they cross the line of sportsmanship again, then whack them but use your T wisely and make sure it is a good one. You are always doing the right thing by issuing deserved T's despite of what fan/coaches/players think.

At camps, assignors/coordinators/observers like to see guys who can manage the game, especially at the higher level. Don't tolerate BS, take care of it! If you can't handle 9th graders, what makes your college assignors think you can handle young adults at the JC or higher level? The whole thing about these are 9th graders and you don't work this level is BS - I know you can do better than that.

Call your assignors tonight (after supper when he's relaxed and comfy) and chat briefly with him how the tournament went. Don't bring up why he pulled you off the game. He did it for a reason so let it be. Just let him know you are there to assist him for future tournaments and if you do this, chances are you'll gain more respect from him.

Good point Marco. You know at camp, I would never do that. I wanted to try some other method of communication with these guys. You know being 9th graders they are a bunch of smart asses. However I didn't take that into consideration. That was my mistake. I do feel it was wrong for both us to be pulled off those two games though. Yes my actions were inappropriate, but after working the 1st of 3 games, an assignor should come out in the floor and dressed ready to work with his new partner, and tell us that the admin is still upset about what happened. An assignor would let us finish the games. If we get a call the day before than thats fine. I was upset because the assignor is a friend and did that to my partner and I.

[Mwanr1]

Originally Posted by TRef21

Good point Marco. You know at camp, I would never do that. I wanted to try some other method of communication with these guys. You know being 9th graders they are a bunch of smart asses. However I didn't take that into consideration. That was my mistake. I do feel it was wrong for both us to be pulled off those two games though. Yes my actions were inappropriate, but after working the 1st of 3 games, an assignor should come out in the floor and dressed ready to work with his new partner, and tell us that the admin is still upset about what happened. An assignor would let us finish the games. If we get a call the day before than thats fine. I was upset because the assignor is a friend and did that to my partner and I.

Tommy,
You have every right to be upset that he pulled you off the games. keep in mind that it's not his best interest to pull you. The assignor would rather not deal with the admin and let you ref the remaining two games. And he probably know in his head that the two of you did the right thing. If the admin is adamant that the two of you shouldn't ref the remaining games, then let it be. You don't need this AAU crap to prove that you're competent of officiating and just because you got pulled that doesn't make you a "bad" official. Matter of fact, you show maturity by letting it go so grow with it.

When it comes down to it, it's business for the admin and the assignor.
If he's your friend, step in his shoes and see it from his perspective.
Let's not get into this kind of BS in Vegas!

[IUgrad92]

TRef21,

Don't get into conversations with players. Majority of the time they aren't interested in what you have to say, even if it is rational and in their best interest. If they ask you a question, keep the answer short and concise, but don't get caught in debating with them.

Now on the first T on #24, in my experience, the coach wants to know what the player said or did to get the T. So I don't know if either you or your partner told the coach why he got the T. If #24 or any of his teammates continue to display the actions that got #24 the first T, I would get to the coach ASAP and explain to him the situation and what's going to happen real soon if things don't change. Assuming he isn't blind, he's seeing what his players are doing. Give him the opportunity to get his players straightened out. Any technicals from that point on are pretty much unarguable.

If this was HS game, I would probably involve the team's captain for help in controlling his teammate(s).

Try to keep your emotions out of it. There is already enough emotions on the court flying around. Let the rules book be your third partner out there and stick to it. This is a good experience to learn from.....