Frustrated Loyola coach Patsos takes a seat in the stands

What I've been taught is you identify the assistant coach by what he/she is wearing or a description, and then if they want a specific name, then ask the head coach to assist you with that. I've always been told never to address a coach by his/her name, even if I know what their name is.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

What I've been taught is you identify the assistant coach by what he/she is wearing or a description, and then if they want a specific name, then ask the head coach to assist you with that. I've always been told never to address a coach by his/her name, even if I know what their name is.

You'll find there's a split amongst even experienced officials. I never refer to a coach as anything but their first name. My feeling is that if I call them coach, it shows I can't even bother to remember their name. OMM (and does) V.

[Nevadaref]

Two points which are pertinent to this discussion, which I posted earlier, and for some reason Bob deleted are: calling coaches and players by their names when officiating and physically touching the players during the game.

There are vast differences of opinions on these two points. There are some officials who believe that both of these are fine and help establish a good rapport with the participants and can prevent a great deal of trouble. There are others, mostly the newer breed, who seem overly concerned with political correctness and lawsuits and seem to believe that engaging in either is a criminal act.

I don't see why Bob deleted that part of my previous post, especially since other posters have continued the thread by discussing my first point.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Two points which are pertinent to this discussion, which I posted earlier, and for some reason Bob deleted are: calling coaches and players by their names when officiating and physically touching the players during the game.

There are vast differences of opinions on these two points. There are some officials who believe that both of these are fine and help establish a good rapport with the participants and can prevent a great deal of trouble. There are others, mostly the newer breed, who seem overly concerned with political correctness and lawsuits and seem to believe that engaging in either is a criminal act.

I don't see why Bob deleted that part of my previous post, especially since other posters have continued the thread by discussing my first point.

We've been reminded this year to NEVER touch a player or coach except for shaking hands during the pre-game conference.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by zm1283

We've been reminded this year to NEVER touch a player or coach except for shaking hands during the pre-game conference.

During the 2006-07 season I received my first chest-bump, ever, from one of the captains, at the coaches/captains/officials pregame conference. Didn't really care for it. I'm glad that we just shook hands when I played high school basketball back in 19@#.

Also, during the introductions of starters, many players will give the officials, and the opposing coach a fist bump, instead of a handshake. And, no, it's not the O'Bama terrorist fist bump. By the way, isn't it great to have a fine Irish lad like O'Bama as our next president. I can't wait to see a photo of him. He probably has red hair, and freckles. Can't figure out how his parents came up with his first name. Patrick O'Bama sounds much better.

[Back In The Saddle]

I much prefer the fist bump to a hand shake. I've got a long season ahead of me. I don't need to be shaking 10 of the most unsanitary hands in the gym every night.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I much prefer the fist bump to a hand shake. I've got a long season ahead of me. I don't need to be shaking 10 of the most unsanitary hands in the gym every night.

I'm sure that the girls' moms are thrilled that you just wrote that.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I much prefer the fist bump to a hand shake. I've got a long season ahead of me. I don't need to be shaking 10 of the most unsanitary hands in the gym every night.

I once worked with a partner that kept a small squeeze bottle of hand sanitizer in his jacket pocket. After the introduction of starters, during the National Anthem, he would sanitize his hands.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by zm1283

We've been reminded this year to NEVER touch a player or coach except for shaking hands during the pre-game conference.

By whom? Did you ask why? Did they give you a legitimate reason?

I happen to be on the other side of this. Of course, I learned how to officiate from an old D1 guy and a former FIFA soccer referee. Neither one cared for political correctness. Neither cared about how you looked only what you called. They were only concerned that the referee controlled the game and prevented a melee.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Did they give you a legitimate reason?

Here's a legitimate reason: Nowadays, anybody, can sue anybody, for any reason, and even if you're in the right, you still have to hire a lawyer to defend yourself.

On the other hand, if a player takes a hard fall, and gets up, and is walking "wobbly", while we're waiting for his beckoned coach, I'm going to put my arm around his, or yes, even her, shoulders, to prevent the player from falling again, thus preventing another, possibly worse, injury. When it comes to player safety, I'll take common sense over political correctness anyday.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Two points which are pertinent to this discussion, which I posted earlier, and for some reason Bob deleted are: calling coaches and players by their names when officiating and physically touching the players during the game.

There are vast differences of opinions on these two points. There are some officials who believe that both of these are fine and help establish a good rapport with the participants and can prevent a great deal of trouble. There are others, mostly the newer breed, who seem overly concerned with political correctness and lawsuits and seem to believe that engaging in either is a criminal act.

I don't see why Bob deleted that part of my previous post, especially since other posters have continued the thread by discussing my first point.

I would fall into the newer breed. I'm starting my 5th year of officiating.

I don't have much of an opinion on the names deal. We have have 112 HS with between 4-6 coaches per team. You would have to ref a awful long time to develop a rapport with all of them..I keep it polite and professional. I call them coach. No one has ever had a problem with that.

I'm also not a toucher. Not because of wanting to look PC but I feel its not appropriate for someone my age to be touching high school boys and girls. I know there are exceptions to every rule and if some kids life was in danger I would break my own rule . But generally speaking I have a pretty strict hands off policy, which I comfortable with...To each his own...

Lawsuits are something to be concerned about. Does it happen that much, apparently not, but it does happen. I have assets. I want to keep my assets. We all know there are people out there willing to sue over anything. I try to limit my exposure to those people and circumstances.

That helps and also I have my own personal liability insurance that covers my assets and then some.So I'm good.