Advice on how to handle mouthy players

[Adam]

Originally Posted by doubleringer

I disagree. I never talk at pregame about what a foul is going to be or what unsporting is going to be. As soon as you do that, and something comes up that you try to address without a whistle, the coach that listened to your pregame will be up your butt about "you said that would be called at pregame, why wasn't it?". I just say, "Sportsmanship is the priority, you're the captains and the coaches, do a good job of representing your school."

There are too many variables that come up in this game to tell them exactly what an unsportiing act is at pregame.

My pregame with the captains is quick: "If you see your teammates losing their heads, take care of it for me."

During the game, I'll offer a reminder to a player getting close to the line if he gives me a chance, but I have no intention of creating the impression that they deserve a warning of some sort.