Help with what to say to partner

[LarryS]

I had a very similar situation. I was told my partner had a rough game earlier in the week with a coach we were getting in the first game of a tournament the following Saturday. When I asked one of the officails who were working the other gym if/how to bring it up, he said "watch this". He then got all the officials at the school together and said he needed some help. Lying through his teeth he talked about how he and one of the coached in his first game had a couple of run-ins earlier this season. Then he said "I can tell I'm in a grumpy mood today, any advice on how not to let my history with this guy impact today's game".

My partner jumped in with most of the above advice. Guess after that time counseling another official he let his history go. We had an easy, uneventful first game and a very enjoyable day. You may want to try that, no promises but at least if you take the approach that you may have the problem he wont be on the defensive.