Post-game handshakes.....another angle
 

At the end of last night's game, http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...-he-asked.html as I exited the court, a friend of mine, a parent of one of the boys, stepped out and offered his hand. I discreetly shook my head and said "Not now," thinking I didn't need to be seen receiving congratulations from one of the locals under the circumstances. Visiting coach in his agitated state might have seen the handshake and remembered it later as a high five. But later it occurred to me that had I been elsewhere and it was a stranger offering the hand, I would have shook it as I passed. How does everybody see this?

No need for personal interaction with anyone. I'm not sure where I fall on the stranger thing, but you're spot on about somebody you know.

Priorities for after the game are 1) Get out of there and 2) Be official in doing so. Being official requires you to continue to show your objectiveness and integrity. While its harmless to you, somebody may interpret differently. But if you don't shake, a group of people around that person might think you are "pompous." A tight spot indeed.

I won't even shake hands with my partner(s), yet alone any spectators, while still on the court.
It can be perceived as though you are satisfied with the outcome and are happy that the winning team won.