Secrets of working with Howler Monkies

[Back In The Saddle]

Final game of four this night, youth rec league. I had a 9th grade boys, then a third grade girls (about stripped gears making the shift), then a couple of 7th grade boys. Started the final game on my own, because my scheduled partner was finishing his previous game.

I've had this coach a few times, and he's always been something of a PITA. But this night he was just on one! He only had six kids show up, and got beat by 30+ points. But he was surly from the moment his team took the floor to warm up.

I purposely worked the side of the floor away from the benches to keep away from him. That just pissed him off every time he thought I missed something on his side of the floor. At one point, as we're lining up for a free throw, he yells, "Hey, Blue!" I look at him and he doesn't say anything or make any sign. So I go back to work and when he yells, "Hey, Blue" again, I ignore him. Finally he yells, "Time out." I approach him during a later timeout to ask if he wants a full or 30, and he just rolls his eyes and blows me off. Gave him a full. Really was hoping he only wanted a 30

He finally got off my back when I showed him the stop sign (which I probably should have done much earlier), but got T'ed up later by my partner, who finally showed up.

*Sigh* It was the first time I had ever had to work alone, and it wasn't a great performance. The HM didn't help the situation. As I do from all of my hard experiences, I learned a few things.

My question for the panel is this: What advice do you have for working with coaches?