Yeah, I get tired of that statement, too. We know the fans aren't here to see us, but they aren't there to see the coaches either (at the high school level). They aren't there to see the cheer leaders, either. They aren't there to see the table personnel, either.

I know in this context it's relatively innocuous, but the statement can lead to officials shrinking at the end of a close game. It seems to me it would take more noticeable effor to avoid the handshakes/fist bumps than to just stand there and accept them.

I have seen this at the varsity and college levels, where teams are from other states as well. Again I do not go out of my way to shake their hand. I stand near the scorer's table and if they come by we usually fist bump as that is what the kids do anyway. It is also not uncommon that there are players that do not come by at all. Usually the players come by to shake the coach's hands and we are on their route to or from and that is when they do it. And this has been the case more and more for the last 3 years or so (probably more but mostly noticeable then). It would be more noticeable if I refused to shake/fist bump a kid now than it would have been 10 years ago. It would not even make much difference to me if they choose not to come by and do that. I just do not see the big deal when they do.

Peace

You know what they say about a stopped clock....

It finds a nut once in a while?

You can't make him drink?

I thought it was "You cannot beat it with a dead horse?"

Peace

Wouldn't it be a flagrant technical foul on each player who strikes the referee with their fist? ;)

Shooting to be "that guy" now? :D

Who said anything about "dissuading sportsmanship"?

Respect? The coach probably MAKES them do the hand bump/shake...so they don't SEEM disrespectful, since almost every team does it now.


Brother...:rolleyes: Then there must be a lot of "distant and unapproachable" conferences, associations, and officials who would prefer this formality go away. Like I said...I'll interact with the players DURING THE GAME.

Hey, if you think you need a fist bump with the kids to show your "sportsmanship"...fine...but, to question ones lack of respect or approachability because they would prefer not to, is silly...IMHO.

I agree, while I have no issue with the handshakes/fistbumps per se, I'm not under any illusions that they are some sort of altruistic display of sportsmanship either.

It's like my 5 y/o son saying please; he does it because he's told to (most of the time).

And to even suggest that one person suggesting he doesn't care for the pleasantries means anything with regard to approachability is the very definition of "non sequitur." It's also hyperbole.

Well, the last game I had, the visiting team would have needed us to do that with the home team so that they would have had a chance to make it a close game....final 79-29....lots of subs played for the winning team in the 2nd half and they still stretched the lead out.

...yeah, what Snaq's said...only a lot more articulate and with bigger words!;)

Hey Snaq's...have you ever heard an official comment on what is the WORST 15 minutes of basketball?

You can probably guess...but, I agreed.

LOL, I'm guessing the last 15:00 before tipoff. :D

The last 30 seconds of a 7th Grade C game?

...you are wise beyond your years.:)