I don't think anyone here has advocated ignoring a handshake attempt. I may have missed it, though.

C'mon man...:p

Who said anything about DENYING a handshake...some of us (and some states and associations) just would prefer it be eliminated from the pre-game formality. No biggy either way...so we can all just relax.

I gotta go do a double header...and fist bump some kids tonight. ;)

I wasn't talking about ignoring or walking away from an attempt. I still remember a couple of opponents who refused to shake hands and put their hand behind their backs. That was in HS many years ago.

interesting. how did that game go?

I deleted it because it was over the top; I apologize.

You're half-wrong (by omission) about when it's used. It's used when someone presents a standard that's ridiculous.

And out of context, your statement is almost a truism. It's true because it's so vague.
In context, it's silly opinion, because you're saying that RD's expression of dislike for this particular ceremony has a ripple effect on sportsmanship with players who will never read this board.

If you really believe this, then I take back my statement that it was hyperbole.

It's stupid.

I didn't say it was a crappy move. Thinking it has any bearing on a player's sportsmanship is crap (hyperbolic metaphor). Compared to actually teaching and modeling sportsmanship, it's crap. Kids see through it. Shaking hands is pointless without the teaching; and it's not necessary with it.

I don't remember which teams shake my hand and which ones don't. If my wife asked me when I got home from the game, I probably wouldn't remember. I don't scrutinize it, either.

I think the idea of hiding from them is silly. But I also think it's silly to give too much credence to a formality.

It is not that important to me, but I believe someone said they would not do it if they were put into that situation or would go to great measures to not have to handshake. And no I do not recall it being you that said this first or when as we are almost at the double digit page level of this thread. And I am not sure who put it in the formalities at all, it seems like someone decided to do it and others followed. I see it as a gesture to us when they shake the opponents and coach's hands. Again, do not see the big deal even if it is contrived.

Peace

Accepted.

No sir, that's not what I said. Go take another look. I said, the ripple effect comes from our actions on the court, not from an opinion here.

Pointless without? Certainly, then it reeks of being disingenuous. Not necessary? Perhaps. However, I believe it's typically a part of a coach's standard for teaching sportsmanship. Until you have evidence otherwise, you'd have to go with that. Will some kids shake your hand reluctantly? Certainly. But, they'll typically get it as they grow.

Therein lies the difference. I certainly would. Perhaps not a month or two later, but that night? Absolutely. I have a lot of respect those who choose to step it up.

[QUOTE=bainsey;720140]No sir, that's not what I said. Go take another look. I said, the ripple effect comes from our actions on the court, not from an opinion here.[quote]
But the context was about a comment made on this board by someone who had already indicated he allows the handshakes in spite of his personal preference.

You wrote, "to even suggest that...." That's what I called hyperbole (from the beginning), and I stand by that now; given what you wrote above.

There's no evidence either way, so our opinions on this are equally valid.


"Step it up?" Really? Yeah, that's the difference. It's no more stepping it up than when I salute an officer. 50% of the time, I do it because I have to. 50% of the time I do it because I actually respect that officer. None of them will ever know the difference.

Personally, I have no more nor less respect for those that do as opposed to those that don't.

One basketball. One soccer. I always shook hands of opponents who fouled out. This one kid took exception to it. We won that game handily. The other was an Eastern Maine Soccer Championship, which we won 1-0 in OT. County rival. Always had close games. It was a well played game and this guy was next to me when the final horn went off. I was on a first name basis with a lot of his teammates. Found out their view of the kid and mine were not all that dissimilar.

I think we're starting to see motivations here.

You have to salute an officer. (Thanks for your service, by the way. I salute you.) Coaches don't have to make their kids shake my hand. Therefore, I remember the teams that do. It may not always come from the heart (eye contact says a lot), but I remember the teams that "step it up."

1. Not my point, but thank you.
2. We're going in circles now; I'm done.

Don't windmills go in circles, too?

I shook J. Dallas Shirley's hand in Arlington, VA on Feb 13, 1966. Haven't washed it since:cool:

Sounds OO to me.

I'm not a big fan of the "fist bump". Don't like shaking that many hands. Usually around here we give high fives. When in Rome... if both my partners do the "fist bump" I do to. I like the interaction. I won't delay the game but I try to pleasantly interact with coaches, players, and occasionally fans. A long time ago I was told I called a good game but was not really liked by some coaches because I seemed unapproachable. I don't like that and have tried to change it. We are looked at as "the bad guy" enough as it is. I want to seem serious, yet casual. I want to convey that this is after all just a game. I want to seem human. It has worked for me for a long time now.