As it was reported to me.....

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Anchor

Caveat: whenever we'd receive a compliment like that a partner of mine would always remind us "If you believe them when they say you're good you got to believe them when they say you're bad."

Exactly, which is why I always smile and say thank you but file it in my banks as a sportsmanship display rather than a true critique of my officiating.

[ref3808]

I don't take parental comments as a critique of my officiating, I'm probably my toughest critic as I think about situations on the way home and then spend a half hour that same evening with a glass of single malt and the book and review whatever I feel unsure or deficient about. This board has an impressive database of issues and suggestions as well. And, a fair amount of humor. For that matter I worked with the league assignor the other day and I was being tougher on myself than he thought I should have been. He was actually very complimentary.

My point is that there are some parents and coaches illustrating behavior that's more appropriate than the alternative we so often see.

[Berkut]

I was doing a 7th/8th grade CYO game the other day, and late in a close game, I saw A1 shove B1 during a dead ball. I had done team A several times over the last couple of years, and knew the coaches were very good about sportsmanship and such, so it was a little surprising.

Anyway, I called the T on A1, and the coaches sat him down immediately, and A ended up losing by 4 or 5 points.

Between games, the A coach came over to thank us for working the game, the way he always does, and I asked him "OK, coach, what did I miss on that T? Did your guy get shoved first?" and he said "Yeah, the other player kind of gave him a little extra elbow, and then my guy pushed him back. But they have to learn that someone being unsporting is no excuse for them being unsporting - you guys did a great job, thanks!".

And I thought "I would do a lot more CYO games if more of the coaches had that guys attitude..." Sadly, that is not the case.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Exactly, which is why I always smile and say thank you but file it in my banks as a sportsmanship display rather than a true critique of my officiating.

And I also take note whether they're from the winning....or losing team.

For me, a thank you or any positive comments from a losing coach/parent/player means just a little bit more.... and is possibly more genuine.