Consistency? What's that?

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Frankly, I don't concern myself with whether coaches and fans think I'm consistent. Only other officials are qualified to judge that. A coach's perspective is biased, and they often don't see the details (or even want to hear about them) that make plays completely different even if they appear the same.

So you don't consider the coaches' perspective in any way at any time? Not even a little? Aren't you at least sometimes forced to deal with a coach's perspective on your consistency during a game? To address his concerns in some way, even if they are not valid, or risk the whole situation deteriorating? And doesn't that require at least trying to understand why he thinks you're not being consistent, in other words trying to see things from his perspective, if only briefly?

[AKOFL]

We do have to deal with coaches weather we like it or not. You can usually tell when a coach has a legit complaint or he is just trying to get a call. We do have to give them some time find out which one it is. Some times we may find ourselves in the tank for one reason or another and someone has to snap us out of it. Hopfully we talk ourselves back into the game or our partners do. It really shouldn't have to be the coach. I hate it when they are right.

[Back In The Saddle]

Here's a related follow on question: What do you do to help ensure you and your partner are calling the game consistently? How do you even know? If both, or all three, of you are watching your own area and rarely have four eyes on the same players or play...how do you know what your partner called and why?

This kind of came to a head for me during a game last season. They sent four of us to work two double-headers at a school, and we all switched partners for the second game. The way things work out, I finished my first game, grabbed my partner for the second game and we headed right back out to start it without any time to pregame. But we've both worked for many years, we're friends, we've talked a lot and should pretty much be on the same page. Apparently not. The visiting coach was unhappy, and frankly neither of us really could figure out why. I felt I was calling a very consistent game, so did my partner. After the game one of the V officials (also a respected college official) gave us very poor marks for our consistency. All I can figure is that my partner and I were calling two very different games even though we both felt like we were being consistent. Ugh!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

So you don't consider the coaches' perspective in any way at any time? Not even a little? Aren't you at least sometimes forced to deal with a coach's perspective on your consistency during a game? To address his concerns in some way, even if they are not valid, or risk the whole situation deteriorating? And doesn't that require at least trying to understand why he thinks you're not being consistent, in other words trying to see things from his perspective, if only briefly?

Sorry, I'm a bit snippy today. Allow me to rephrase. I'll address it with a coach if he perceives something. However, all he usually gets is an "I'll watch for it, coach." I'll quickly evaluate if I've missed something (always possible) and move on. Normally, however, it's not really about me.