Coach Citing the Foul Counts

[Brad]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

some coaches feel as though there is some unwritten rule that indicates this one statistic should somehow be close to even during the game without regard to the circumstances within the game.

I think that many coaches believe that if each team is playing a similar style of defense then the fouls should be "even" ... and they may have a point. However, plenty of times the teams are playing completely differently -- with one team taking a lot of open jump shots versus the other driving to the basket a lot. Obviously, in a game like that there could be great foul count disparity and it wouldn't indicate a problem.

The main thing that I try to keep in mind is that if the foul count is 7-2 or such, don't miss an obvious foul on the team that only has 2 and don't call a cheap one on the team that has 7!

[mick]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

... But I remember a boys' H.S. JV summer league game, where the team that was getting blown out at half time had committed 18 fouls to its opponents 4 fouls. The losing coach came up to my partner and me and asked: "What am I supposed to tell my players about the foul totals?"

Good job, MTD, Sr..

Reminds me of a Canada Goose question.

When you see a *V* of geese, why is it that one side may be very long and the other may be very short ?

[Mark Padgett]

In my experience, the coach who complains about this is always the one who didn't buy foul insurance.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mick

Good job, MTD, Sr..

Reminds me of a Canada Goose question.

When you see a *V* of geese, why is it that one side may be very long and the other may be very short ?

Because one side has more geese in it.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Because one side has more geese in it.

A coach explained this to you?

[mick]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Because one side has more geese in it.

YU.P. [or fowls]

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by mick

Good job, MTD, Sr..

Reminds me of a Canada Goose question.

When you see a *V* of geese, why is it that one side may be very long and the other may be very short ?

Could they be members of the same family, and fly in a checkmark rather than a V to stay near their family?

[Adam]

GJV game last night, first half foul count was 10-1. Coach didn't say a word.

[jdmara]

That is something you learn with experience when you need to address it, IMO. I can't concretely say when I do or don't address it, because I don't have particular criteria. However, there are moments when I'll address a comment a coach makes. Most often I will address it by just listening though.

Last night I had a great GV game with a top ranked team in the state and a conference rival. The visiting coach didn't like the unequal proportion of fouls his team earned. I let him have his say and said that we are calling what we see. I added that perhaps his girls were being a little more aggressive on defense than the other team as well. He agreed, end of discussion. I don't make it a habit to explain things like this but sometimes it helps the situation.

So I guess the answer to your question is that you have to feel out the situation and with experience you'll know when you may need to address it or just listen.

-Josh

[walter]

A great reply I got from a college supervisor this year at camp was "Coach, I don't count 'em, I just call 'em". Of course he also told us officials to always be aware of the count to be aware of bonus situations. I do agree with the others who have said, as a newbie, let it go.

[rockchalk jhawk]

Originally Posted by walter

A great reply I got from a college supervisor this year at camp was "Coach, I don't count 'em, I just call 'em".

Interesting... I read this thread and then I was poking around on the SI website and somehow ended up looking at this page.

I saw this:
•Earl Strom, NBA referee, to Philadelphia Trainer Al Domenico, who complained that Strom was assessing too many fouls against the 76ers in a game with Denver: "I don't count 'em, Al. I just call 'em."

According to that page, it was printed in the February 14, 1977 issue of SI. Apparently that quote's been around a while. It's always neat to me when you can see where/who pearls of wisdom like that come from. And then you laugh when you hear some grizzled old veteran claim something like that as their own.

[TheOracle]

The gentleman below is correct, just ignore it for now. But just wait, as you advance you will be introduced to paranoia at levels you can never imagine, where they will actually tell you that you personally have called X fouls against them and Y fouls against their opponent, and ask for an explanation. That is always a treat!

[Mark Padgett]

"Coach, if you don't be quiet, the difference will be one more."

Don't you all think a nod of the head which acknowledges that you indeed heard the coach is better than "letting it go/ignoring" the coach? Especially for a first year official...

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

Don't you all think a nod of the head which acknowledges that you indeed heard the coach is better than "letting it go/ignoring" the coach? Especially for a first year official...

I agree...Just acknowledging that you heard him is sufficient.

-Josh