Coach Citing the Foul Counts

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Spence

First year ref.

I know in general we do not respond to comments.

How far do I let a coach go with giving me the foul totals per team as in "my team has a lot and the other team doesn't have many? Do I simply not comment?

My inclination is to let it go but I'm curious as to how others handle it.

Spence:

At this point in your career just let it go. When you get to be an old geezer like me, I will sometimes ask the coach: "And your point is?" But my recommendation is to just let it go. If the coach had any sense he would tell his players to stop fouling. 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?" He was obviously not happy with the officiating. I told him with a straight face: "Tell them to stop fouling." His lower jaw hit the floor and away we went to enjoy some Gatorade.

MTD, Sr.