How Far is Too Far?

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Spence

Scenario: Team A calls a TO and I know that the HC is upset over some callsw. He or his assistants leaves the huddle and wants to have a conversation with me.

Do I leave my position or do I just ignore the request?

My take: it depends on a lot of things.

If to that point in the game the coach has been fairly proper and there has been good communication, then I'm definitely acknowledging him and probably going over to talk with him. If he's been on my case some, I'm still going to try to communicate with him, but maybe from a bit of a distance and with clear, short terms, and then getting back to my spot.

If he's been warned already, I'm probably letting him know that we've already said we're done talking, and if he persists then he's probably going to early himself a technical foul.

Oh, and two points - even if I "go over" to him when he wants to talk, I'm still keeping the convo short, just answering his question(s) with specific rules-related answers, and getting back to my spot fairly quickly.

Secondly, I say "probably" a lot because IMO there's never an "always do it this way" approach.

[BBall_Junkie]

If I agree with him that my call sucked, I will not give him a "T". I will probably tell him "you're right". If I don't agree with him, I will let him have his opinion as long as he lets it go.

Now if he makes it personal with a "You Suck" or "Your Partner's suck", he will get whacked. That I will not allow.

[Coltdoggs]

Any of those could warrant a T in my opinion...

My rule of thumb of late (past 3 years) has been...if your comment brings in question my integrity as an official...I'm handing out a T.

It's 7 on 5 out there..
We are getting homered!
Your kid on that team?

Things along those lines....I don't like to lump things into an ALWAYS category but my integrity questioned is not up for discussion.

Saying "I don't agree with that call!" or "You missed that one, ref"....is much different than "That call sucked!" They are entitled to and will not agree with all your calls...figure out the difference between that and questioning your integirty as an unbiased observer who is there to interpret the rules and apply them to the best of your ability.

[OHBBREF]

Don't do conversations, if he has a question answer it succinctly and get out, if he just wants to rant we are done.
Explain early on to the coaches - "if you have a question coach, and you are calm about it we are willing to address it, otherwise we really do not need to interact"
I know too many officials that will carry on conversations with coaches about not getitng a call there or answer declaritive statements such as " he's reaching" or "get him off of him".
These are not questions there is no need to address them.
If you carry on a conversation with a coach about calls early in the game, and suddenly you aren't talking to him because he is being an a$$, now you are the one who is aloof, you are the problem, you shut him out and don't want to communicate.
Do not have conversations with coaches - answer questions succinctly and get out, they have 900 lines for people who want to talk.