^^^ I think the conversation up until now has been about comments from the stands, not the bench. I agree, turn rabbit ears off and remain focused on the game.

I don't even hear the comment from fans, so if I heard it, it's from a coach, and I really wouldn't say that. I might, however, say, "coach, you should be more careful when you accuse me of cheating."

And why did you single out my comment? If it's coming from the fans, none of the responses so far are appropriate.

Whoops. I missed that part.

Fans don't exist. There are exceptions that prove this rule, but this wouldn't be close to being one of them.

Often, fan is short for fanny.

I was thinking coaches, not fans. As I said, I don't hear it from fans unless I'm in the mood for some entertainment.

I thought we were just talking about fans, too. That said...

I like this wording. It may put a coach on the defensive a bit, but I find it to be a fair warning.

Besides, when it comes right down to it, "Call it both ways" is an order. We should never take orders.

I was watching my daughter play last night, and unfortunately ended up sitting by the annoying parents. A few of them think they are coaches, yelling "shooot!" when they are trying to set up the offense.

But the one that almost had me saying something... We are up by 50, that's FIFTY points in the 4th quarter. Other team has ball, annoying mom (AM1) of annoying player (AP1) yells "TRAVEL!", no whistle, seconds later AP1 gets called for a foul. AM1 yells the whole time they are setting up for free throws, "she traveled first" and all that kind of nonsense. I was tempted to tell her to STFU, but my daughter would have to hear it for the rest of the season from AP1.

The things we do for our children. Well done.

so...what do you guys/gals say/do when a hc says that to you? anything? its happened to me twice in the last two weeks...both times after the game had BARELY started.....

Options:
1. Ignore.
2. Explain the implications of what he's saying, and warn.
3. Whack

That quick, I'd be tempted to ask him for some time to make some mistakes before he starts jumping on my back.

More likely, I'd either go with #2, but it's going to take an extra second to do it right. I honestly think it's a throw-away line for some of these lower level coaches; they have no idea what it means.

Automatic "T" with no warning anytime any coach or player questions my integrity. I'll let you question my judgment if you do it properly. Integrity? Never!

Hearing crowd through rabbit ears -vs- earmuffs.
 

(I wasn't looking for anything to actually USE as a retort to a fan, I don't engage them. I was just looking for some humorous responses we would all like to say but don't. Couple of good ones on here :D )

I consider myself thick-skinned when it comes to crowd comments, they are nonexistent unless I am hearing foul language or they are verbally abusing a player. In a Quad-A or higher level game fans can pretty much get away with any obnoxious behavior they want (again, whining is fine just no foul language/player harassment other than that, feel free to demonstrate your lack of sportsmanship/self respect). However, in a youth game there are times where parents/fannys can get to the point that they are interrupting the game itself.

Example: FT situations where mom is still screaming above everyone "that was a terrible call, she traveled, your terrible blah blah", or one of my favorites "the score is wrong, the arrow is wrong, do something blah blah blah". When it gets to the point that every lil kid on the line, shooter included, stops and looks up afraid to proceed, I find it more difficult to ignore. This is when a quick chat with coach about controlling his "not-so-hot-mom" might be in order.

The other night was to the point that our young volunteer clock/book asked me if we as officials could ask the crowd to stop because it was upsetting them. Awwww. Poor kids, I explained sometimes adults set the example of what to do, and sometimes they are the example of what NOT to do." Told em unless they are using foul language not much my partner and I could do.

LONG WINDED Sorry.
I will leave you with this one:

"AWW let them play, this isn't the NBA!"

"Correct sir, and it is not going to be the NFL either."

And I think that whacking 'em immediately teaches them in a heckuva hurry what it does mean.

I'm big on life lessons. :D

I usually go with #1 and sometimes #2. Usually if the coach gets to the point where I would get to #3 there are other mitigating circumstances.
I may be in the minority, but to me it is just a throw away line. I have a hard time justifying a T when we call a foul/violation (3 seconds and illegal screens particularly) and the coach says "Call it both ways." I put that in the same category as "They are doing the same thing down there."

Amen!