How to handle an assistant coach.

[mj]

I talked to a fellow official this weekend. During a recent contest featuring 2 ranked teams, he and his partner were so tired of the coaches in their ear after each shooting foul, they went back to the old mechanic of going opposite the table.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by mj

I talked to a fellow official this weekend. During a recent contest featuring 2 ranked teams, he and his partner were so tired of the coaches in their ear after each shooting foul, they went back to the old mechanic of going opposite the table.

Too bad they didn't just address the behavior rather than run from it.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by snaqwells

too bad they didn't just address the behavior rather than run from it.

+2413

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by jurassic referee

+2413

= 10

[mj]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Too bad they didn't just address the behavior rather than run from it.

I have had the coaches involved and I can certainly understand why they did what they did. While both coaches are a handful, they generally never do anything to cross the line.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by mj

I have had the coaches involved and I can certainly understand why they did what they did. While both coaches are a handful, they generally never do anything to cross the line.

I've borrowed the mantra of other officials in addressing bad behavior by using the Three Ps. Personal, Profane and Persistent.

I'm not going to allow a coach to continually whine, even if each individual comment is not over the line. Too much and they will eventually peg the ABS meter.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I'm not going to allow a coach to continually whine, even if each individual comment is not over the line.

Coach, known for riding the refs the entire game, early in the second half, again to me in transition: "C'mon, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah............."
Me, not wanting to be a smartaleck, but getting tired of it: "Coach, your comments have been so frequent, I just want you to know I stopped listening midway last quarter."
Coach: Off my back the rest of the game.

Don't know if it will work the next time, but I would try it again under the same non-T, every-time-down-the-court circumstances.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by mj

I have had the coaches involved and I can certainly understand why they did what they did. While both coaches are a handful, they generally never do anything to cross the line.

As Welpe indicated, the continual banter needs to be addressed.
2nd or 3rd time: "Coach, if you have a question about that play, I'll answer it; but the commentary isn't doing either of us any good."

If he follows that up by asking questions on every play, deal with that, too. If the coach's behavior prevents you from being able to follow proper mechanics, I'd prefer to deal with it rather than changing the mechanics.

That said, we don't do the table side thing here in two-man, even though I would prefer it. I also would prefer to be able to have a quiet word with the coach.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by mj

I have had the coaches involved and I can certainly understand why they did what they did. While both coaches are a handful, they generally never do anything to cross the line.

If they never cross the line then why avoid them? If they were coaches that cross the line then that is easily addressed using Rule 10.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mj

I talked to a fellow official this weekend. During a recent contest featuring 2 ranked teams, he and his partner were so tired of the coaches in their ear after each shooting foul, they went back to the old mechanic of going opposite the table.

Heh. Last night we had one of the worst games I've had in a long time. 15 fouls in the first quarter, with the home team picking up their 10th with a minute left in the first quarter. In the end, I couldn't tell you what the losing coach was saying because I stopped paying any attention to him.

Personally, I prefer being across during free throws, but it's not something I really care about one way or the other.

[mj]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Personally, I prefer being across during free throws, but it's not something I really care about one way or the other.

I actually like being table-side. Other than one game (which happened to be last Friday), I prefer to have a coach 'talk' to me rather than have him 'yell' across.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mj

I actually like being table-side. Other than one game (which happened to be last Friday), I prefer to have a coach 'talk' to me rather than have him 'yell' across.

I'm starting to think it encourages a running dialogue. Sure, the a$$hats will yell across once in a while, but the more reasonable coaches will see the official across and figure it's not worth it -- whereas tableside, they'll get in a quiet shot here and there.

[Loudwhistle]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'm starting to think it encourages a running dialogue. Sure, the a$$hats will yell across once in a while, but the more reasonable coaches will see the official across and figure it's not worth it -- whereas tableside, they'll get in a quiet shot here and there.

+1 The further away the better once a call has been explained!!

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'm starting to think it encourages a running dialogue. Sure, the a$$hats will yell across once in a while, but the more reasonable coaches will see the official across and figure it's not worth it -- whereas tableside, they'll get in a quiet shot here and there.

I find it provides an opportunity to address concerns before they feel the need to devolve into running commentary.

I can also stop the running commentary easily with a comment if I'm there.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'm starting to think it encourages a running dialogue. Sure, the a$$hats will yell across once in a while, but the more reasonable coaches will see the official across and figure it's not worth it -...

Exactly. Because mechanically speaking there is really no reason to be close enough to a coach and/or facing a coach anyway during free throws for him to be able to make a running commentary, no matter system we are working.

We all know when we've made a call that might need a brief explanation. Report the foul, quickly tell the coach what you need to tell him, and then get to your spot. Whether you're working 2-man, 3-man, going opposite, or staying tableside.

In 2-man, I never get close enough for a coach to talk to me during free throws.