Communicating with Coaches

[FrankHtown]

Sometimes coaches floor you with their humor. 3 person. Close ball game. 2nd half, I'm going to new lead tableside. Team B is pressing Team A in Team A's backcourt. I'm just about to the free throw line extended, helping with the press. Something happens near tableside endline in the backcourt. Coach A, who I'm right near, says that I have to call that foul. I said "Coach, I'm 75 feet away as you are. I have a partner 10 feet away from the play. I'm not going to make a call." He says " Ok.........but how about if you were 74 feet away??"

As far as sprinting off the floor, I've never sprinted...maybe a fast jog. What is there to hang around for? They are not going to stop the post game celebration to acknowledge the wonderful job done by the referees, and if the home team lost, you don't want to hang around and let the home team coach give you an earful.

Originally Posted by FrankHtown

I said "Coach, I'm 75 feet away as you are. I have a partner 10 feet away from the play. I'm not going to make a call." He says " Ok.........but how about if you were 74 feet away??"

He must be one of those idiots who seriously listens to the commentators on TV doing football, when those idiots say taking a delay of the game penalty pushes the FG team back a few more yards for a better angle on the goal posts, only coach is seriously directionally impaired in this situation.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by lmeadski

I am a more frequent reader than poster here. In many of the threads I see refs referencing their comments to/with coaches. Some of you clearly call the game with minimal interaction while others are sarcastic, especially with the belligerent coaches (and maybe it's just what you'd like to say...).

Regardless, I believe a number of our less respected refs have little or no interaction with the coaches (many of our refs SPRINT off the court after the game...). Many of our most revered refs are great "game managers" which requires regular coach interaction. My questions: is there room for sarcasm, especially in a tense game? Do any of you find value in "managing" the coach in pre- and/or post-game? And, do you use their first names during games or always refer to them as coach? Other input besides answers to these questions are welcome.

Thanks.

I think that one of the biggest complaints coaches have about officials is, "Officials won't talk to me." This can be a slippery slope, but the officials that I have tried to emulate were the ones who were willing to admit a mistake every now and then, concede that they MAY not have had a great angle on a particular play, and were willing to give at least a brief explanation on a tight/controversial play. There can be a fine line between answer a question every once in a while and explaining call after call.

I will always address the coach as "coach" unless I am in close proximity to him/her in a situation in which they are the only one that will hear. In these cases, I will frequently use their first name. It is a little more personal.

I will joke about a play -- especially if it has to do with the officiating crew -- with a coach from time to time. Generally, you know it's pretty safe if the coach is smiling or laughing about something that just happened.

BUT, as some have already indicated, using humor should come with the warning, "PROFESSIONAL at work, use caution."

[bbcoach7]

Originally Posted by lmeadski

I am a more frequent reader than poster here. In many of the threads I see refs referencing their comments to/with coaches. Some of you clearly call the game with minimal interaction while others are sarcastic, especially with the belligerent coaches (and maybe it's just what you'd like to say...).
Thanks.

I like it when during pre-game the officials make a point to initiate communication with me. There's just something that happens when you actually look someone in the eyes, shake hands and introduce yourself. It fosters some respect. I'm way less likely to make an innapropriate comment to "Jim" who I just had a pleasant moment with in pre-game than I am with someone who doesn't bother, or worse seems to assume through body language that it's going to be an contentious relationship.

Certainly I don't expect it. I believe what this topic really is about is communication skills, and ultimately leadership.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by bbcoach7

I like it when during pre-game the officials make a point to initiate communication with me. There's just something that happens when you actually look someone in the eyes, shake hands and introduce yourself. It fosters some respect. I'm way less likely to make an innapropriate comment to "Jim" who I just had a pleasant moment with in pre-game than I am with someone who doesn't bother, or worse seems to assume through body language that it's going to be an contentious relationship.

Certainly I don't expect it. I believe what this topic really is about is communication skills, and ultimately leadership.

I always intoduce myself. I keep my comments pre-game and during the game short and professional.

I'm way less likely to give a T to a coach who doesn't say anything inappropriate then one who does.

[CoachP]

We normally have the same 2 officials do the boys varsity after we play the girls varsity....so they are at the division line watching the boys warmup by the time I am done with our girls in the locker room. I at a minimum shake hands and say thanks.

I love the personable "humor type" and the "business like" styles I see from each pair of officials we get. I adapt to them just as the girls also adapt to their "types" of calls.

Last week our AD was outta town so I ended announcing the starters. I then said please stand for the national anthem and handed the mic to Mr. Ref. (An official doing our game I have known for 14-15 years.) His partner was still laughing trying to do the toss.

[beachbum]

The biggest problem is that there is not alot of time to talk when the game is on. I am trying to focus on my job and the coach is trying to ask a question or YELL. Most coaches try to talk while the ball is in play. They don't want to talk during a time out as it is the time they have with their players.

I have been trying to figure out how to communicate with a coach when there is action and he is asking questions. Most of the time he is just venting anyways. It seems best the best time is during a foul shot.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by beachbum

The biggest problem is that there is not alot of time to talk when the game is on. I am trying to focus on my job and the coach is trying to ask a question or YELL. Most coaches try to talk while the ball is in play. They don't want to talk during a time out as it is the time they have with their players.

I have been trying to figure out how to communicate with a coach when there is action and he is asking questions. Most of the time he is just venting anyways. It seems best the best time is during a foul shot.

Keep it short. It's like a set of skills. You'll figure it out eventually-hopefully sooner then later. Took me some time of concentrated energy to acquire the short and sweet answer skill but I got it now. Practice it in ,maybe non violatile times.

If venting appropriately I nod and act interested in what they're saying.

If yelling....paraphrased " No yelling at us tonight."

Coach then goes "blah blah blah."

I repeat " No yelling at us tonight"

Next time I take care of it.

Last night GV coach starts the yelling stuff at the tip , I cruise her , give her the spiel. Next time down she starts the yelling again. No brainer . Tweet T.As I'm walking away from table I hear Assistant tell her " I told you homes doesn't play." For a white guy from the burbs I was tickled pink that I'm a homes. She stopped yelling . There was 7.13 on the clock, 1st quarter.