Coach drags out the rule book

[M&M Guy]

Coach, I see you've had your caffeine this morning...

To address the coaching book issue, it was a far-fetched idea to make a point - do you want an official to point out in front of everybody that your coaching methods and philosophy differ from some of the greatest coaches of all time, and that's why their kids are losing? Of course not; you're the one being paid to coach, so you are the one that gets to make the coaching decisions, right or wrong. There's a time and a place to discuss those things, whether it's in the A.D.'s office, Booster Club meeting, or the local watering hole. But during the game is not one of those places. As an official, I would never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never discuss coaching strategy during the game, even if means a specific bad coaching decision might lead us to overtime and I will now be working longer without any additional pay. Or how about a coaching decision to let less talented kids try to be more aggressive, and our crew now has to call many more fouls than necessary? Maybe we can e-mail our concerns to the A.D. after the game, but it is not our place to tell that coach what they are doing wrong during the game, even though that coach's decisions directly affects the officiating crew. No matter how "right" an official feels about a bad coaching decision, it is simple courtesy to not show up the coach in front of others during the game.

Officials are paid to arbitrate the rules, so they get to do that, right or wrong. Yes, we make mistakes that could affect the outcome of a game, but it is not a coach's or player's job to tell us or show us the rules, even if we screw them up. A "separation of powers", so to speak. Of course, you can still voice your opinion (in a civilized manner) about the official's decision, and any good officiating crew will attempt to get a situation correct if there's a legitimate concern. But bringing a rule book to the discussion during the game crosses that line from trying to express an opinion to showing up the crew in front of other people, even if you are right. Do I want that call from the A.D. or the assignor after the game? Hell no, but just as bad, I don't want to be the one to screw up a rule either. In fact, I'll probably be getting a call from the assignor anyway if I screw up the rule and allow you to correct me.

By the way, you did neglect to address how bringing a rule book to the official does not fall under 10-4-1(b)?