What are "we" telling coaches?

[TheOracle]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

In the past week of varsity games I have been told by 3 different coaches that they have never heard that the defender doesn't have to be "set" to take a charge. I know I am going to hear that I shouldn't believe what they are saying, but in all honesty, I believe them. They think the defender needs to be set to take a charge. I explain legal guarding position and all that, and they look like a deer in headlights.

What are other refs telling coaches? Why is this such a difficult concept to understand?

Real simple: "The defender got there" or "he didn't get there". You can add an "I don't believe he got there" or "I believe he got there" if that helps manage the reaction. Coaches get that, and there is no other place for them to go with that line except to T-Ville. It's the same as "I disagree." It ends all legitimate conversation as nicely as possible from our end.