Advice on how to handle mouthy players

[Danvrapp]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

I did hear one "that's bullcrap!" I thought about Ting that one up, but stopped myself.

T. No questions. If he wants to argue a call, there are 402 better ways to do it than that.

The one team even started making little jab comments during free throws.

This you address the first time it happens. Maybe the first time you use disconcertion of the free thrower as an excuse and reshoot the throw, but you step in and make it known this action will not continue to be acceptable. Warning made, then you can assess penalties if it continues.

Best of luck!

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

Did a freshman game last night with a bunch of whiners. Mostly just "oh my GOD!" and "he's hacking me!!" type comments. Nothing that would, in my opinion, warrent a T on its own, although I did hear one "that's bullcrap!" I thought about Ting that one up, but stopped myself. I'm a fairly new ref so I would like to hear what an appropriate way to nip this stuff in the bud. Because once they started whining they didn't stop.

The one team even started making little jab comments during free throws.

Thanks.

Had this just 3 weeks ago. After it happened the first time, I went to the coach and told him that "14 was commenting after the play". I continued, "If there are any questions, they can come from you or a captain, but we will not entertain general comments".

Problem solved.

It did happen later in the game, but the player realized what they were doing, and then changed their comment to a question. I was ok with that. She was complaining about being hacked. We were in a dead ball time because we had called a foul for the player being hacked. I guess she didn't realize that.



T when they say "bull****". My other advice is to nip it in the bud. If it's repetitive, you have to deal with it, and the sooner the better. Technical fouls often come from (a) profane, (b) personal, or (c) persistent. If a team/player is persistently complaining/commenting, then deal with it early to avoid a technical foul.

[Welpe]

My tolerance on what I will allow from a player before T'ing them up is perhaps a little on the low side but I think context for "bullcrap" would be important to me. How loud was it? Was it that word exactly? If it's not very loud the first time, I'm going to let it go with a word of warning to the player, captain or coach.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

Did a freshman game last night with a bunch of whiners. Mostly just "oh my GOD!" and "he's hacking me!!" type comments. Nothing that would, in my opinion, warrent a T on its own, although I did hear one "that's bullcrap!" I thought about Ting that one up, but stopped myself. I'm a fairly new ref so I would like to hear what an appropriate way to nip this stuff in the bud. Because once they started whining they didn't stop.

The one team even started making little jab comments during free throws.

Thanks.

Either a "knock it off" or a "what?" "I didn't say anything" "Make sure you keep it that way."

Complete difference betweent "THAT's BC" and "YOU'RE BC"

[Adam]

Freshmen? Stop it early. It escalated because you didn't stop it. I'm guessing the coach was a bit chippy as well.

[JRutledge]

It really depends on your personality. If you do not mind saying what you need to say or you are one of those guys that is afraid you are going to offend will dictate how you handle this. Usually I am very direct with kids and do not mince words. I do not treat them as equals (which they are not) and I do not treat them like they are stupid either. Most of the time kids know exactly what they are doing and saying and if you call them on their behavior they will usually fall in line. I have several lines that I vary by a word or two that work for me, but then again they fit my personality. I would suggest you deal with players in a way that fits your personality. I also do not like to go to coaches to handle players either.

Peace

[Toren]

I'm a fairly new official too, but for the younger ages if I have to think should I have called a T? Then it's a sure fire I called a T. For varsity, i tend to be more lenient and give the team a warning. I am also going to try this year to get the captain's more involved as Tref advised.

Since the season is early, you may want to see how giving a Tech the next time this occurs changes the outcome of your experience. Then make a determination of what works for you.

[ballgame99]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It really depends on your personality. If you do not mind saying what you need to say or you are one of those guys that is afraid you are going to offend will dictate how you handle this. Usually I am very direct with kids and do not mince words. I do not treat them as equals (which they are not) and I do not treat them like they are stupid either. Most of the time kids know exactly what they are doing and saying and if you call them on their behavior they will usually fall in line. I have several lines that I vary by a word or two that work for me, but then again they fit my personality. I would suggest you deal with players in a way that fits your personality. I also do not like to go to coaches to handle players either.

Peace

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated. Rutledge, I'm a pretty direct person and would have no problem telling a kid to watch his mouth. Being a new ref I just wasn't sure of the most appropriate way to do this. I didn't want to be out of line, and the more vet official working the game with me didn't do anything. After the game he acted all tough and said he would have T'd them if he heard it. He must be deaf because it was non-stop. I agree some strong eye contact would probably do some good, but I need a line. I'm thinking just a sweet and simple "that's enough 32" would suffice?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated. Rutledge, I'm a pretty direct person and would have no problem telling a kid to watch his mouth. Being a new ref I just wasn't sure of the most appropriate way to do this. I didn't want to be out of line, and the more vet official working the game with me didn't do anything. After the game he acted all tough and said he would have T'd them if he heard it. He must be deaf because it was non-stop. I agree some strong eye contact would probably do some good, but I need a line. I'm thinking just a sweet and simple "that's enough 32" would suffice?

I have even said to players, "When you have the amount of zero's behind your name on a check, then you can talk to me that way." You would be surprised how they get the message and shut up. Or better yet, their teammates get the message and handle it. Because there always seems to be one kid that wants to act like he is grown talking to me or my partners. And I also use the FT line as a way to say things to multiple players and get the message across as well. Again not something that happen every game, but techniques that work for me and prevent further problems.

Peace

[Mark Padgett]

This is an easy one. Nip it in the bud.

Barney Fife - Nip It - YouTube

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

This is an easy one. Nip it in the bud.Barney Fife - Nip It - YouTube

Thanks Mark Padgett.

[Refsmitty]

:d

[buckrog64]

I told a coach, 'I want fewer comments from your players. They may think I need the help, but I don't want it.' A little humor handled it and that was the end. The kids were testing the waters and I drew the line in the sand. Message received and understood. Doesn't always work and you might have to handle it in other ways. Give it 10 or 15 years, you'll figure it out!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by buckrog64

Give it 10 or 15 years, you'll figure it out!.

The grayer my hair gets, the easier it is to manage a game. It's true. Why else has it gotten so much easier? It's the hair.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The grayer my hair gets, the easier it is to manage a game. It's true. Why else has it gotten so much easier? It's the hair.

Can't be. Mine is not grey.....its gone.