How approachable should we be?

[mcdanrd]

In my experience an approachable official is not a better official when it comes to calling the game. However, in states where playoff assignments are based all, or in part, on input from coaches, approachability is a definite plus.

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by mcdanrd

In my experience an approachable official is not a better official when it comes to calling the game. However, in states where playoff assignments are based all, or in part, on input from coaches, approachability is a definite plus.

Why can't you be both...approachable and a good play caller?

[Raymond]

We should be approachable enough that coaches feel comfortable asking us basic questions during the games. We should not be so approachable that coaches feel like they keep up a running dialogue with us.

I want a coach to know I will talk to him and answer questions. I also want the coach to know there is a point where I will shut it down and they need to respect that.

[JRutledge]

This means different things to different people. I think with experience you learn when to talk to coaches and when not to. Most of this comes with confidence of your abilities and the situations you are dealing with. No one size fits all here as many times we need to answer a lot of questions and other times we need to move on. This is why I always suggest that younger officials go and watch veterans as this is part of the game you can learn by observing. This also has a lot to do with body language as the way you answer questions can be just as important as or more important than what you say.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This means different things to different people. I think with experience you learn when to talk to coaches and when not to. Most of this comes with confidence of your abilities and the situations you are dealing with. No one size fits all here as many times we need to answer a lot of questions and other times we need to move on. This is why I always suggest that younger officials go and watch veterans as this is part of the game you can learn by observing. This also has a lot to do with body language as the way you answer questions can be just as important as or more important than what you say.

Peace

Agreed.

I would add that I think newer officials should just focus on the calls, dealing with coaches only when necessary and learning along the way. Watching veterans can teach you a lot in this area; both what to do and what not to do. Dealing with coaches is an important part of moving up.

Be able to explain every call you make. Eventually, be able to explain your no-calls as well. I'm not saying you should be willing to explain every call or no-call; only that you should be able to.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Agreed.

I would add that I think newer officials should just focus on the calls, dealing with coaches only when necessary and learning along the way. Watching veterans can teach you a lot in this area; both what to do and what not to do. Dealing with coaches is an important part of moving up.

In a perfect world they should only deal with calls, but the coaches they see will not allow this to happen as everything they call is going to get an over-the-top reaction most of the time at the lower levels. It actually gets easier once you get to the higher levels becasue most coaches are not going to complain about every call.

Peace

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This means different things to different people. I think with experience you learn when to talk to coaches and when not to. Most of this comes with confidence of your abilities and the situations you are dealing with. No one size fits all here as many times we need to answer a lot of questions and other times we need to move on. This is why I always suggest that younger officials go and watch veterans as this is part of the game you can learn by observing. This also has a lot to do with body language as the way you answer questions can be just as important as or more important than what you say.

Peace

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Agreed.

I would add that I think newer officials should just focus on the calls, dealing with coaches only when necessary and learning along the way. Watching veterans can teach you a lot in this area; both what to do and what not to do. Dealing with coaches is an important part of moving up.

Be able to explain every call you make. Eventually, be able to explain your no-calls as well. I'm not saying you should be willing to explain every call or no-call; only that you should be able to.

I agree with you both.

[centkyref]

Agree with everything BktBallRef said. We have to be able to communicate with the coaches. My only problem is that in this area, a few (very few) coaches have taken the whole concept a little too far. I used almost the same verbiage that "you asked, I explained what I saw, let's move on." He immediately came back with: "But you guys are supposed to talk to us now!" I grinned at him and told him, "I have talked to you about the play, but it's not a debate society."

He actually laughed out loud and said "Well, it wasn't that long, besides my guys might stand a better chance at that." Both of us got a chuckle out of that one.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by centkyref

Agree with everything BktBallRef said. We have to be able to communicate with the coaches. My only problem is that in this area, a few (very few) coaches have taken the whole concept a little too far. I used almost the same verbiage that "you asked, I explained what I saw, let's move on." He immediately came back with: "But you guys are supposed to talk to us now!" I grinned at him and told him, "I have talked to you about the play, but it's not a debate society."

He actually laughed out loud and said "Well, it wasn't that long, besides my guys might stand a better chance at that." Both of us got a chuckle out of that one.

Around here, a lot of the HS coaches view "approachability" as a license to complain the entire game or make loud, rhetorical comments about our officiating without being shut down. I'm very approachable until I'm given a reason to not be. It's definitely a revokable license.