My assignor called me tonight with an interesting assingment. There has been a problem coach in our area. He has had many complaints filed against him by many other coaches and other people around the league. Two of our top officials were sent in last week to handle this clown, now it's my turn. I now have to go visit with Bobby Knight from Canada tomorrow. I guess I should be flattered that I have this repuation of being able to handle coaches.

My question to you is do you guys have any tips for handling a real hot head that you know is going to be in a real bad mood?

TR?

After you greet him, tell him, "...And coach, if you see anything wrong, you'll let us know, won't ya?"

I get these assignments a lot, too. I take the position that each game is different, and each coach has a new opportunity to make a complete jackass of himself starting fresh.

If he does, I treat him like any other howler monkey. However, sometimes they surprise me and act civil.

Not too often, though.

I guess what I'm saying is to start the game just like any other. If you have preconceived notions about the coach's behavior, it may become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and you don't want that to happen.

In my case, the coach usually knows that I am there because he is already on a short leash and that sometimes makes him reflective about his own behavior.

Not too often, though.

All you can do...........
 

is call your game like normal. Give the coach a chance to be an a$$ on his own. Try not to be too quick to stick him. Let him vent and just listen. Not much else you can do. But at least you know going in that the coach has a reputation for getting out of hand. So if you do stick him, you have good justification to do so.

Peace

Stick him, early, and often! :D

Well! Somebody had to say it!! ;)

Talk to him/her
 

Make sure to let them know that you won't be listening to them officiate all night. But wait until they actually do. Your rep may proceed you and he/she may be quiet. :p

I have felt good being assigned to these types of games, and I don't know why. I have one tonite as a matter of fact. This coach has a tendency to get "emotional" during the game, and has garnered a few "T"'s. However, I have not had much of a problem with him. I have found that if I just talk to him he is fine. He has come up to me after 2 of the games I had with him and just said "Thanks for talking to me about the play, I may not agree but at least I know you are paying attention." Of course having said that I will probably have to whack him tonite!!
Also, I have seen with our coach where I work, that when he knows that he has some quick triggers on the floor, he is MUCH more subdued then usual.
So that and a dollar wiill get you a coffee and donut!

Not in my town!

Like any other potentially conflictual situation, it is always best to be mentally prepared for what you may face, regardless of whether or not you end up facing it. I think that avoids what otherwise may be a predicatbly bad situation. I think it is more likely things will go badly if you do not have yourself in the right frame of mind to handle this coach.

So you want to think through what will happen if he starts going off on you. How can you communicate in such a way that you may be able to get him under control early on, before things escalate. That actually may allow you to ref the game without hearing a lot of BS and without having to resort to a T. And think through how much you are willing to take before you WHACK this guy, so that you have more control if and when you do resort to it.

Make sure you and your partner agree on what you'll allow, what you won't allow, and what warnings you might give.