Dealing with Coaches

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

If a coach argues any of your calls, then puke on his shoes!

Did I miss a mechanics change? Aren't we supposed to stare at his pants first?

[tomegun]

BITS, I disagree. Yes, you will hear a coach's comments, but I would say don't acknowledge them. I say something about this to the coaches when I talk to them before the game. I would assume this is a two-man game and I would discourage all but necessary communication when you only have four eyes and two brains focusing on what is going on with the game.

I would also say this, for a first high school game an official has more to worry about than a coach. Talk as little as possible to him/her and worry about the game.

[Back In The Saddle]

Tomegun,

In my experience I have found it beneficial to acknowledge some comments. I should qualify that, however. General play-by-play and mindless chirping pass without acknowledgement just fine. But comments directed right to the official, that express an actual identifiable expressable concern, those are what I acknowledge. "They're palming every time" or "23 is in the key all night" or "they're moving on their screens". That is the the kind of stuff I'm talking about. The coach has a concern (legitimate or not), wants it addressed, and needs to know that you heard him.

What I've found happens if I don't acknowledge him is that he'll bring it up the next 10 times I'm in front of him. It's annoying. It feels like he's harping. It gets under my skin. But often all he wants is some indication that I heard him.

It doesn't take much. A nod or shake of the head is often enough. You don't even have to do anything about his concern. But let him know somehow that you heard it.

YMMV

[BillyMac]

COMMUNICATION WITH COACHES

General Techniques:
Statements by coaches don’t normally need a response. Answer questions, not statements.
Let the coach ask their question first, before speaking. Be a responder, not an initiator.
Most coaches will have questions when they believe the officials have missed an obvious call.
Having the officials in closer proximity often calms down the coach.
Be in control and speak in calm, easy tones. Be aware of your body language; maintain positive and confident
body language.
Make eye contact with the coach when the situation allows.
Do not try to answer a question from an out of control coach; deal with the behavior first.
If you’ve missed a call or made a mistake; admit it. This technique can only be used sparingly, perhaps
once a game.
Don’t bluff your way through a call.
Do not ignore a coach.

Specific Communication Examples:

Coach sees the play very differently than the official:
“Coach, if that’s the way it happened/what you saw, then I must have missed it. I’ll take a closer look next
time.”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, however, on that play I didn’t see it that way. I’ll keep an eye for it
on both ends.”
“Coach, I had a good look at that play and here’s what I saw (short explanation).”
“Coach, I understand what you’re saying, but my angle was different than yours.”
“Coach, I had a great look at that play, but I understand your question and I’ll have the crew keep an eye on it.”
“Coach, I had that play all the way and made the call.”

Coach believes you’re missing persistent illegal acts by the other team:
“OK coach, we’ll watch for that.”
“Coach, we are watching for that on both ends of the court.”

Coach is questioning a partner’s call:
“Coach, that’s a good call, as a crew we have to make that call.”
“We’re calling it on both ends.”
“Coach, he/she was right there and had a great angle.”
“Coach, we’re not going there, I can’t let you criticize my partner.”
“Coach, he/she had a great look, but if you have a specific question, you’ll have to ask him/her, he/she’ll be
over here in just a minute.”

Coach is very animated and gesturing:
“Coach, I’m going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the
gesturing.”
“Coach, please put your arms down. Now, what’s your question?”

Coach is raising their voice asking the question:
“Coach, I can hear you. I’m standing right here, you don’t need to raise your voice.”
"Coach, I need you to stop raising your voice and just ask your question calmly.”

Coach is commenting on something every time down the floor:
“Coach, I need you to pick your spots, we can’t have a comment on every single call that is being made.”

Coach has a good point and might be right.
“You’ve got a good point and might be right about that play.”
“You might be right, that’s one we’ll talk about at halftime/intermission/the next time out.”
“You might be right; I may not have had the best angle on that play.”

Coach is venting, make editorial comments:
“I hear what you’re saying”
“I hear what you’re saying, but we’re moving on.”

Coach just won’t let it go:
“I’ve heard enough and that’s your warning.”

Source: Topeka (Kansas) Officials Association

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

“I’ve heard enough and that’s your warning.”

Extend your arm with your hand open (the "stop" sign) to visually show everyone in the gym that a warning has been issued.

I say, "Coach, that's enough." I don't say it's a warning.

Then, follow through with a "T" when the coach starts again on you.

Example: I had a coach who would not let an issue drop. I was going to administer a throw-in near her spot on the bench and as I was approaching the spot, she kept it up. I gave her the "stop" sign and said, "Coach, that's enough." As soon as the ball was inbounded, she started in again. WHACK!

I never heard a word from her the rest of the game. In my eyes, I was doing her a favor but making her stop officiating and having her goe back to coaching her team. Coaches really short-change their team when they get out of control and stop coaching.

I was a coach and I know what it's like on both sides of the whistle. In truth, I appreciated officials who put me in my place when I got emotional.