Interesting Comment

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I only recently started tracking the number of a FT violator. Since, the official isn't required to report a player # to the table, I never used to even look for it.
My point is that a couple of seasons ago, I could not have told you which one of your players just violated as we were heading back down the floor. I didn't look or try to remember. I just observed the violation and whistled it.

I changed because I learned that most coaches will ask and have a desire to know. Whether they genuinely wish to instruct their player or are simply using this as an excuse to question the official's call and gauge the certainty of his decision, I can't really say.

However, thinking back, I could see myself rolling my eyes at you if you asked me that question three years ago, not out of disrespect, but because my attitude at the time was "I don't know. I don't care. And what difference does it make? One of your players violated. It got called. Let's move on."

Now I would quickly tell you, "15, coach, stepped in early," as I ran past.

People skills and management has been the #1 area that I have striven to improve in the past few years.

I set out to make this improvement in my communication skills with the coaches by trying to put myself in their positions, and think what would I ask or want to know on that play if I were the coach.

It certainly hasn't hurt my game any, and I hope that it has allowed me to be perceived as more approachable and a better official.

I like to keep track of the number of the offender as well. In fact, I will typically announce "lane violation on 35 White, came into the lane early."

Even if you can't do that, if you can at least let the coach know what position the player was in will usually do the trick. If the call is on the offense, it is as simple as the far side of the lane, near side of the lane or the shooter. Even if the call is on the defense, there are only two positions on each side of the lane. The coach usually knows who was in a particular lane position.