Responding to Coach Speak

[cubsfanllw]

for us young guys out there, can some of you veterans give us some good responses to some of the standard "coach speak" items. (i.e. "you've called x fouls on them and y on us", "call it both ways", etc.) i know sometimes it is best to just not respond at all, but i'd love to know some things i could say back when i need to to acknowledge that i heard the coach, but not make it worse. any "coach speak" you can think of and your general responses would be really appreciated.

[IREFU2]

First of all, remember that we dont answer statements, only questions. Plus, if he keeps asking you that same questions, then you will have to deal with that as well. Using quick phrases and responses will only get you in deep water. Treat the coach with respect and demand respect back as well and you will be okay. Just my 2 cents...

[grunewar]

Go to the below link and start at the beginning to see some really good responses and info on this topic.

Communication w/ Coaches

[Nevadaref]

Coach: "Blah, blah, blah."

Official: "Thank you, coach."

...
Coach: "Blah, blah, blah."

Official: "Thank you, coach."

...
Coach: "Blah, blah, blah."

Official: "Thank you, coach."

...
Coach: "Why do you keep saying, 'Thank you, coach'?"

Official: "Because they won't let me say, 'STFU, coach'!"

[Mark Padgett]

My all time favorite is still this one. When a coach says something absolutely ridiculous to you, the reply is, "Coach, I'd respond to that but I left my English-Gibberish dictionary at home."

Another is "Coach, there are only two people in this entire gym who don't care who wins - my partner & me. We only care about one thing - that at the end of regulation time, one team has at least one point more than the other."

And, there's always the old standby, "Sorry coach, we're not allowed to call it both ways. We can only call it one way - the right way."

OK, one more. "Coach, let's trade places. You come out here and call the game and I'll sit on the bench and act like an idiot."

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

We only care about one thing, that at the end of regulation time, one team has at least one point more than the other."

Sigh.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Coach: "Blah, blah, blah."

Official: "Thank you, coach."

...
Coach: "Blah, blah, blah."

Official: "Thank you, coach."

...
Coach: "Blah, blah, blah."

Official: "Thank you, coach."

...
Coach: "Why do you keep saying, 'Thank you, coach'?"

Official: "Because they won't let me say, 'STFU, coach'!"

Classic

[OHBBREF]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

First of all, remember that we dont answer statements, only questions. Plus, if he keeps asking you that same questions, then you will have to deal with that as well. Using quick phrases and responses will only get you in deep water. Treat the coach with respect and demand respect back as well and you will be okay. Just my 2 cents...

Do not address statements by a coach, there are the great stories of how Ref X got Coach Y with a particular zinger last week.
Well it didn't do the ref any good, because what he didn't tell you is the coach rode him just as or harder the rest of the game and he had to listen to the supervisor/assignor or AD after the game talk about an exagerated version of what was really said. So just don't do it, silence can't be misquoted.

"Is there a question in there coach?" and move on is about all I ever say.

In pre-game we address with captains and coaches that we will answer questions if asked in a respectful manner.

We are busy enough on the floor that we do not need to split our attention between the action and trading barbs with coaches. especially new guys just starting out. We are going to do one or both poorly. Better to concentrate on just one thing.

make your reputation as a great official not the the court jester.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by OHBBREF

Do not address statements by a coach, there are the great stories of how Ref X got Coach Y with a particular zinger last week.
Well it didn't do the ref any good, because what he didn't tell you is the coach rode him just as or harder the rest of the game and he had to listen to the supervisor/assignor or AD after the game talk about an exagerated version of what was really said. So just don't do it, silence can't be misquoted.

"Is there a question in there coach?" and move on is about all I ever say.

In pre-game we address with captains and coaches that we will answer questions if asked in a respectful manner.

We are busy enough on the floor that we do not need to split our attention between the action and trading barbs with coaches. especially new guys just starting out. We are going to do one or both poorly. Better to concentrate on just one thing.

make your reputation as a great official not the the court jester.

Ummm....thats what I said!!!!

[OHBBREF]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

Ummm....thats what I said!!!!

I just put an explaination point on it!

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by OHBBREF

I just put an explaination point on it!

Is that a merging of exclamation and explanation?

[cubsfanllw]

another - "#8 travels everytime he touches the ball"

[JRutledge]

There are no one size fits all comments. You cannot mirror someone's personality, instinct or experience. If we give you just some canned comments, then you might mess it up if you do not use them in the right tone or at the right time it can be a disaster.

Peace

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by cubsfanllw

for us young guys out there, can some of you veterans give us some good responses to some of the standard "coach speak" items. (i.e. "you've called x fouls on them and y on us", "call it both ways", etc.) i know sometimes it is best to just not respond at all, but i'd love to know some things i could say back when i need to to acknowledge that i heard the coach, but not make it worse. any "coach speak" you can think of and your general responses would be really appreciated.

When I hear this, I normally warned the coach that he/she don't want to go there. However, if they insist on going there.

I ask them nicely two questions:

1. coach, are you saying we are incompetant?
2. coach, are you saying we are cheating?

because, I want to know exactly what this technical fouls is for.

DISCLAIMER: I use these on coaches who are buttholes.

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by truerookie

When I hear this, I normally warned the coach that he/she don't want to go there. However, if they insist on going there.

I ask them nicely two questions:

1. coach, are you saying we are incompetant?
2. coach, are you saying we are cheating?

because, I want to know exactly what this technical fouls is for.

DISCLAIMER: I use these on coaches who are buttholes.

Cubsfan,

I have not reffed much HS or college ball and this might be acceptable at those levels but the league I work in this would not be condoned, period! Always think "professional" when responding. One-liners get you nowhere! Short professional responses keep you out of the soup. Experience, sadly enough, is king in responding skills. If you would like you can PM me and I will email you a responding skills presentation from our league. It will aid you but not give you a "one size fits all" response.