talking coaches

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by ma_ref

Assignors have told us that since most high school games are videotaped, it's also good backup for when the coach or AD complains to them...it catches things that an inaudible comment as you're running down the court don't show.

I guess I don't have this worry. My assignors trust that I'm telling them the truth and have complete faith that I'm only whacking a coach when necessary. They also don't get very bent out of shape on technicals period...they're just another call, no reason to get all fired up.

That said, I definitely agree that having video-taped evidence is nice - but there are many times a coach can say something quite quietly, that maybe only I can hear, that's still going to earn him a T. That's never going to show up on film, so I'm not making a case in any instance of stopping a game to warn a coach...

Edited to add - if something is going on that can only be "warned for" by stopping the game, it's enough that I'm stopping the game for a T w/o a warning...

Originally Posted by jdw3018

That said, I definitely agree that having video-taped evidence is nice - but there are many times a coach can say something quite quietly, that maybe only I can hear, that's still going to earn him a T. That's never going to show up on film, so I'm not making a case in any instance of stopping a game to warn a coach...

Edited to add - if something is going on that can only be "warned for" by stopping the game, it's enough that I'm stopping the game for a T w/o a warning...

Good stuff! I guess above all, it boils down to earning the trust of our bosses. Tape won't pick up a quick "f you" as you run by the coach, but we still want/need the boss to back us.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

Good stuff! I guess above all, it boils down to earning the trust of our bosses. Tape won't pick up a quick "f you" as you run by the coach, but we still want/need the boss to back us.

And don't get me wrong - I'm fortunate to be in a place where the guys I work for pretty much back us up no problem. Not everyone is that fortunate, and in those areas you may have to be more "careful" or "tape-aware" when whacking.

[ma_ref]

I should've been more clear in my post. The videotape doesn't justify our actions to our assignors. 99.9% of them stand by us no problem. Video just makes it easier for them to defend us against coaches and/or AD's with proof in hand. Around here, assignors work for the leagues they assign and are hired by the collective ADs within each league. We generally don't have to answer to our assignors, but they certainly have to answer to their bosses (the AD's).

[Back In The Saddle]

Most game tapes I've seen stop during dead balls. So if you're using a stop sign to get video "evidence" of having warned the coach, it may not be there at all if it's during a dead ball.

Not if you go above & beyond asking the school for a copy by bringing your own camera person

[BillyMac]

COMMUNICATION WITH COACHES

General Techniques:
Statements by coaches don’t normally need a response. Answer questions, not statements.
Let the coach ask their question first, before speaking. Be a responder, not an initiator.
Most coaches will have questions when they believe the officials have missed an obvious call.
Having the officials in closer proximity often calms down the coach.
Be in control and speak in calm, easy tones. Be aware of your body language; maintain positive and confident body language.
Make eye contact with the coach when the situation allows.
Do not try to answer a question from an out of control coach; deal with the behavior first.
If you’ve missed a call or made a mistake; admit it. This technique can only be used sparingly, perhaps once a game.
Don’t bluff your way through a call.
Do not ignore a coach.

Specific Communication Examples:

Coach sees the play very differently than the official:
“Coach, if that’s the way it happened/what you saw, then I must have missed it. I’ll take a closer look next time.”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, however, on that play I didn’t see it that way. I’ll keep an eye for it on both ends.”
“Coach, I had a good look at that play and here’s what I saw (short explanation).”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, but my angle was different than yours.”
“Coach, I had a great look at that play, but I understand your question and I’ll have the crew keep an eye on it.”
“Coach, I had that play all the way and made the call.”

Coach believes you’re missing persistent illegal acts by the other team:
“OK coach, we’ll watch for that.”
“Coach, we are watching for that on both ends of the court.”

Coach is questioning a partner’s call:
“Coach, that’s a good call, as a crew we have to make that call.”
“We’re calling it on both ends.”
“Coach, he/she was right there and had a great angle.”
“Coach, we’re not going there, I can’t let you criticize my partner.”
“Coach, he/she had a great look, but if you have a specific question, you’ll have to ask him/her, he/she’ll be
over here in just a minute.”

Coach is very animated and gesturing:
“Coach, I’m going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the gesturing.”
“Coach, please put your arms down. Now, what’s your question?”

Coach is raising their voice asking the question:
“Coach, I can hear you. I’m standing right here, you don’t need to raise your voice.”
"Coach, I need you to stop raising your voice and just ask your question calmly.”

Coach is commenting on something every time down the floor:
“Coach, I need you to pick your spots, we can’t have a comment on every single call that is being made.”
Coach has a good point and might be right.
“You’ve got a good point and might be right about that play.”
“You might be right, that’s one we’ll talk about at halftime/intermission/the next time out.”
“You might be right; I may not have had the best angle on that play.”

Coach is venting, make editorial comments:
“I hear what you’re saying”
“I hear what you’re saying, but we’re moving on.”

Coach just won’t let it go:
“I’ve heard enough and that’s your warning.”
Source: Topeka (Kansas) Officials Association

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ma_ref

I should've been more clear in my post. The videotape doesn't justify our actions to our assignors. 99.9% of them stand by us no problem. Video just makes it easier for them to defend us against coaches and/or AD's with proof in hand. Around here, assignors work for the leagues they assign and are hired by the collective ADs within each league. We generally don't have to answer to our assignors, but they certainly have to answer to their bosses (the AD's).

I am of the opinion that if you're going to blow your whistle and stop the game (live ball) to deal with a coach, it had better be accompanied by a technical foul. If I, as an assignor, saw the game stopped, I'd be asking where the technical was called.

Otherwise, you are baiting the coach into worse behavior, potentially.

[Coach Bill]

This one is my favorite:

“Coach, if that’s the way it happened/what you saw, then I must have missed it. I’ll take a closer look next time.”


What can I say to that? I've had a few officials use that one, and the only appropriate response from me, is "Thanks. I appreciate it.". It's probably saved me a few technicals over the years.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I am of the opinion that if you're going to blow your whistle and stop the game (live ball) to deal with a coach, it had better be accompanied by a technical foul. If I, as an assignor, saw the game stopped, I'd be asking where the technical was called.

Otherwise, you are baiting the coach into worse behavior, potentially.

I have done this and it worked. I think we worry too much about showing people up. If you are trying to stop behavior and you can do so by stopping the game (player or coach), do so. It has worked for me. It might not work for everyone. You have to know who you are dealing with and how you can talk to them.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I have done this and it worked. I think we worry too much about showing people up. If you are trying to stop behavior and you can do so by stopping the game (player or coach), do so. It has worked for me. It might not work for everyone. You have to know who you are dealing with and how you can talk to them.

Peace

Depends on the coach.

I was working a Christmas tourney in Illinois last season and I was going center to center for a few trips and every time I'd park in front of the one coach, he'd start whining about every non-call whenever players came close together. Finally, I simply said to him: "You know, you whining every time down the floor isn't going to get you anywhere."

I immediately regretted saying it. It wasn't a professional thing to say and I made my mind up that I was going to apologize on the next dead ball. On the timeout, the coach actually approached me and before I could say anything he told me I was completely right and he was sorry. You could've knocked me over with a feather. And I did say it was no problem, but I could've chosen a better set of words to get that across. And we had no words the rest of the game. And he coached better, too.

Other coaches won't shut up till they're whacked and if it's that way, that's OK, too. I'll oblige.

This is what makes working sports difficult. There is no cookie cutter approach to game management.