Coach Techniques......Short Answers
 

I wanted to enquire to all fellow Refs on short answers to dealing with coaches. I have been told, Keep it short, Short Answers, Never Respond to Statements. Now, Can some of you share specific techniques you use in situations when a coach is border-line irrational.......Thanks for your input in advance.

Best advice to describe demeanor I read here I believe was be approachable, yet 'distant'.

Ask the assistant coach if he/she is prepared to take over the head coaching duties for the night. :D

Short and sweet is nice:

"I got it Coach"...when they are yelling for a call as you are making the call.

"He was displaced Coach"...when they are arguing that it was not a certain foul.

"I might have kicked it Coach"...when you missed an obvious call, or made an obvious bad call.

"Enough Coach"...when you don't want to hear anymore. (Be prepared to back it up...don't keep saying "enough" without consequences)

"Not there" (optional:while shaking head)...when coach is screaming for call such as over and back.

"Spot"...for spot throw-in.

"Watta ya want Coach"...(After whistle and while underhand palm up pointing to coach)...when coach has been granted a time out.

There are many more...but, you get the idea. KISS...Keep It Simple Stupid.;)

"I'll watch for it" is something that works pretty well.

I've used "I'm listening to you" or "I hear you" when a coach is amping up because he thinks I'm ignoring him.

Most often, though, we get into trouble when we misinterpret a comment as a question. Silence is a great tool unless the coach interprets silence as ignoring him, then see the previous paragraph.

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, I can't have you officiating this game."
"Coach, I understand you're not going to agree with all of our calls, but I can't have you question every
single one."
"Coach, if you have a question, I'll answer if I have a chance, but we aren't going to have these constant
comments."

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.”

Original Source: Topeka (Kansas) Officials Association

In the rare case I don't know the coach's first name, I only need to look at the program for a minute. I expect them to use my first name, I'm going to use theirs. We're both adults out there (I think).

+1

"(coach name), I'll be glad to answer a question you have about a specific play, but I can't have you (undesirable behavior)"

Another good one I have yet to use was told to us by Tom O'Neill, final four guy at his camp.

Coach has your ear and usually a call was made by another official. "Coach, what did you see?" Shows your listening, and he has a brief sounding board.

Allows them to a quick vent.

I've always wondered if this is the right approach. What benefits are gained by using the coach's first name? I might add their last name, but I always refer to a coach as only "coach".

BTW, this topic is not new, but the responses here are very helpful. Thanks to those contributing.

Another little thing that can help quite a bit is to be aware of where you and the Coach are at on the floor. Especially in the case of a time-out and the Coach wants your ear for a few seconds...I have found that the closer I keep the Coach to his players, the more reasonable they become. The farther away from the player's hearing, the more outrageous and ridiculous the comments are.

Not always the way it works out, but keeping them close to their huddle/bench tends to keep them a little calmer.

I'd respond to this thread but I think it would use up all of Brad's server space. :eek:

This is a Rome thing, it seems. Some areas, first name is encouraged. Others, not so much.

If used in a particular tone of voice, this phrase can carry two messages at once:

1. I hear what you are saying
2. I don't want to hear anymore