Establishing confidence, confidence and respect from coaches and players

[bbcoach7]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

You can demand cooperation, but respect has to be earned. A recipe that has worked for me:

1) Be competent. Know the rules. Know the mechanics. Prepare.
2) Be confident. This is only possible if you master #1
3) Be concise. Avoid unneccessary conversation, editorializing before or after the game with fellow officials, AD's, coaches, or players
4) Be decisive. Crisp whistle. Crisp mechanics. Crisp voice when reporting.

Just kidding, merely my perspective. Just in case anyone gives a hoot what a HS coach feels works for him (probably not, but what the heck, I'm a registered user).

I like quick whistles followed by clear and desicive mechanics. Slow (late) whistles sometimes imply to me that the Ref was waiting to see how the action played out (if the shot goes in, maybe he ignores the push). Might not be the case, but it looks that way to me, the players, and to the folks in the stands.

I like a brief (if possible) answer to a legitimate relevant game question. I know the only response I'm entitled to a statement I make is to be ignored, or to get whacked. Just like anybody, I do not like to be talked down to, insulted, or disrespected when I have previously and up to that point established that I am behaving in a respectful manner. If I'm treated in this manner without cause (rarely), I will never respect that Ref.

It really bothers me when a Ref lags behind (lead or trail). If he's outa shape and can't keep up with the pace of the game, it's difficult for me to have respect and avoid saying something. I would never say something loud enough for fans to hear, or to otherwise embarass, but I have said something face to face like, "Sir, I'd really appreciate if you'd get to the same half of the court the ball is on." I realize that could get me seat belted, but I'd take it. In the maybe 2 times I've actually said that, they actually hustled better afterwards. You gotta understand, we are rural, we play some games on an Indian Reservation where once in Jr High, one of the Refs had a pepsi in his hand 1/2 the game and leaned against the wall behind the basket instead of standing behind the end line.

Sometimes Refs will pause, or even take a player aside and speak directly to them. I generally do not like it when Refs talk to my players about the way they play basketball. Every time that happens, I ask the player what the talk was about, and to their credit (the Refs), It's been my experience that I've appreciated the feed back or comment given to my player. So I think this is a sort of predjudice on my part that is unfounded.

Last observation: ANY advice in here about dealing with coaches that begins with phrases such as, "Most coaches..." should be lightly regarded at best. We are all individuals, just like you guys. We are nomore all the same than any group of humans is all the same in desiring basic respect.