Handling the Crowd

[Ref Daddy]

JV game - Blowout last night.

The crowd was a good mix of Home and Visitors. We called a good clean game but - in my 2 years this crowd was relentless.

Asked the table at the quarter break and he said they (about 5 to 10 people - adults) were constant hecklers. Seemed louder than normal tonight however.

They really got under my partners skin. He was 1st year and a little slow. They were hostile, personal, insulting, profane, etc. all night.

Question: Is there any crowd control techniques to use?
Is "ignore them" the only way?
When is enough "sport" enough?

The comments quickly got outside the game - not commenting on calls and the play but just ref insulting all night.

Wow.

[BigDave]

In my six years of officiating, I have had three fans removed from the gym. Sometimes, enough is enough. I'm not proud of this, but I felt it was my responsibility.

I would recommend not to look for trouble, but if you can isolate an individual and they are obviously crossing the line, get with game management and have them removed. Nothing personal, just business. You are paid to control the game and if they are a distraction, handle it. Out of control fans breed other out of control fans. You chunk the first one and I'll guarantee the others will get the message.

[Edited by BigDave on Jan 17th, 2003 at 06:56 PM]

[Ref Daddy]

Very interesting. Did Game management protest too.

Is it exclusivly the ref's call?

[BktBallRef]

If you want him removed, he's gotta go. We're not playing until he's gone.

I don't tolerate vulgarity, racial remarks, or profanity. I ejected a fan two weeks ago who had an affectionate relationship with the word "suck."

See ya!

Prinicipal took his picture with a polaroid, suspended him for a year from coming to games and posted his photo in a book kept at the ticket booth.

YES!!

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

Prinicipal took his picture with a polaroid, suspended him for a year from coming to games and posted his photo in a book kept at the ticket booth.

YES!!

Banned . . . for . . . life!

[oatmealqueen]

JMHO -- per Fed rule 2.8.1 : Home management is responsible for crowd control. If your head is in the stands, it's not in the game, and they have won.
Occasionally, if we have a nutzoid, during a quiet time we inform game management of the sitch, then let them take it from there. Incident reports, phone calls to the schools administration, may be used as well.
Casebook 2.8.1 --
Do these people interfere with the administration of a game?
I realize that "interfere' may mean different things to different people.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by oatmealqueen
If your head is in the stands, it's not in the game, and they have won.

I disagree to some extent. No, you shouldn't let these people take you out of the game. However, this is a crazy world and there are people who would do harm to you, if given the opportunity. It's no different than using an ATM. You'd better be aware of what's going on around you. It's naive to think that someone won't come out of the stands after you. Don't beleive me? Ask Monica Seles or the KC Royals 1st base coach.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by Mark Dexter

Banned . . . for . . . life!

"No soup for you!! Come back, one year!!"

[oatmealqueen]

I disagree to some extent. No, you shouldn't let these people take you out of the game. However, this is a crazy world and there are people who would do harm to you, if given the opportunity. It's no different than using an ATM. You'd better be aware of what's going on around you. It's naive to think that someone won't come out of the stands after you. Don't beleive me? Ask Monica Seles or the KC Royals 1st base coach. [/B][/QUOTE]

I agree that the nertballs are around, I just believe that we must use proper procedure in these cases. Listening (and reacting) to fans takes our focus away from our task at hand. JMHO

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

"No soup for you!! Come back, one year!!"

NO - the Simpsons!



(Although the Seinfield reference works here, too.)

[Grail]

I am working HS ball for the first time this season, and had a situation a couple of weeks ago where my veteran partner got fed up with one section of the crowd.

He stopped the game, talked to both coaches, and had them talk to the offending section. Supposedly those who were being quiet moved away so as not to be tossed out with the riff-raff. All it really succeeded in doing was to move the hecklers from one area to many areas of the gym.

What it really showed was that my partner had been distracted from the game. He was so into not putting up with the crowd that he forgot to worry about calling fouls the rest of the game. This was the first of two games, and our between game discussion consited of his beef with the crowd.

My opinion, as long as the yelling isn't too profane, ignore it. Game management should be listening and deal with the truly obnoxious. Our job is to watch and officiate the game on the floor, not the crowd.

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Attended a game as an observer. There was one heckler directly behind the visiting bench several rows up. The officiating team came out after halftime; met about the mid court circle; they said few things to each other; one of them turned and pointed directly at this guy and made eye contact; the other official shook his head in agreement; pointed himself at the guy and some discussion about what the heckler was wearing for comfirmation. They went on to have a great game and the heckler never said another word.

I really like the not WANTED poster idea. Polaroids are great!

Another situation. A goup of HS kids were heckling me and my partner. Ball goes out right where they were setting. I point the direction. I get a player for throw-in. I turn to check the table. Turn to check my partner. Turn back to hand the ball to the player... and there is now one of these heckling boys between me and the player. He says "You don't deserve to be out here." I replied "And neither do you." TWEET. Management kicked out about a dozen students that he was setting with - no more hecklers.

In this case, they entered the court of play and that is never acceptable.

[oatmealqueen]

That was a no-brainer.. out on the floor--pitched.
I'm not sure that I agree with the pointing method. Once again, their heads were in the stands.
Use game management, per rules and manual.
FYI, I rarely EVER look into the stands for any reason during a game. My focus usually ends on the other side of the black lines that circle (square?) the court.

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by DownTownTonyBrown
Attended a game as an observer. There was one heckler directly behind the visiting bench several rows up. The officiating team came out after halftime; met about the mid court circle; they said few things to each other; one of them turned and pointed directly at this guy and made eye contact; the other official shook his head in agreement; pointed himself at the guy and some discussion about what the heckler was wearing for comfirmation. They went on to have a great game and the heckler never said another word.

Why would they do this?

[DownTownTonyBrown]

I assume it was the threat of "We know who you are. We've heard your senseless screaming. And we can easily kick you out."

It worked.