Appropriateness

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbyron

If I didn't know the officials, I would introduce myself and start the conversation by asking about their officiating background, how much they have worked, where they took classes, what their goals are, etc.

That only works if they know who you are (or your "role" in the officiating hierarchy can be established).

There are way too many variables for there to be one answer here. Rut hit on several of them.

I can't tell you how many times when I was starting out, that someone in street clothes would come up to me after a game, ask if he could give advice, and then tell me things that I thought (and later confirmed) were wrong. Yes, there was some good advice there as well.

I do agree that the best tack might be to ask questions ("What did you have there? I thought the rule was that the 3-second count reset after a shot because of a loss of TC? I'll have to look that up later."). The good officials (or thiose who want to improve) will look it up themselves and learn.