How much do you talk to coaches?

[CoachP]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And even when you know the rule and explain the rule in detail, they will still argue with you. I have explained verticality only to have coaches tell me there is such thing as "over the back." I had a coach try to tell me the other day that I should call a "moving screen" when his player literally ran around the guy. It never ceases to amaze me how dumb and stupid coaches can be when you try to talk to them even in the most calm and logic voice.

Peace

Because for every Official there is on this forum that knows better, there is another Official out there running to the table saying "foul's on #23 over the back".

And maybe an announcer or 2 on TV....

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CoachP

Because for every Official there is on this forum that knows better, there is another Official out there running to the table saying "foul's on #23 over the back".

And maybe an announcer or 2 on TV....

There might be, but that is so rare that is not where the coaches get that from the majority of the time. I run a class of newer officials and it is the former players and coaches I have to get out of that habit language. And announcers do not help as they constantly repeat this fraud.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I only talk to them when they ask questions or when the ball is clearly dead like during or after a timeout. Otherwise I do not seek them out or try to say much to them. They have a job to do and there is not much reason to talk to them. I also do not answer statements or address them when they are yelling.

I hate that coaches can say some pretty stupid things at times, but there's wisdom in the saying that "You can't misquote silence." I've learned to ignore a lot of meaningless comments that are said during the heat of the game.

The hardest thing officials need to learn is to not care what coaches think about them during a game. Sure, an official wants to be known as professional, approachable, hard-working, etc., but the nature of the job is that there are a lot of close decisions that will annoy or anger one of the two coaches. It's part of the gig.

My biggest growth on the football field has been to let my wings (I'm a referee) handle 100% of the communication with the coaches unless someone specifically requests my presence as the crew chief). My biggest growth on the basketball court has been to learn that sometimes the best response to a comment (or even a loaded question) is to show the coach the back of my shirt.

[referee99]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

I'm a first year ref. In my first batch of games I have been hesitant to talk to the coaches much, but I have now realized that I could probably make things smoother for myself if I would give them an ear once in a while. What is the appropriate time and tone to talk to a coach who is whining about calls? What do you do when you feel you may have missed a call and coach is telling you about it? Admit your mistake?

... is that you don't get to hear the conversations/communications of more veteran partners with coaches, in order to learn both positives and negatives. Soldier on. It gets better/easier.

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by referee99

... is that you don't get to hear the conversations/communications of more veteran partners with coaches, in order to learn both positives and negatives. Soldier on. It gets better/easier.

One of the things that really helped me the last couple of years is going to some games -- not just the games that followed my JV games, but really going to games on nights when you don't have an assignment -- and watching the veteran guys and how they interact with the coaches. Go into the locker room at halftime and after the game and find the appropriate time to talk to them about what you saw.

ie, "Hey, I saw you talking to the coach after that PC foul you called. Can you tell me how that conversation went?" or "You really seemed to defuse that situation with that coach...what did you say to calm him down" or stuff like that.

No, we can't be immediately privy to those kinds of conversations, but going out of your way to learn from veteran guys not only shows that you want to learn, but there's a lot of value if you'll ask questions and listen.

[WVJD]

I believe that we sometimes feel too obligated to respond to the coaches everytime, we all have a responsibility to the players on the floor and our area when the ball is live including free throws, throw ins etc. Although we pause they should know the ball is still inplay

One of the coaches in our area feels that every time a shooting foul is called that is his opportunity to talk to the officials; as an official we all have a responsibilty on players and areas not to talk with the coach. He was shocked that I didn't come from the far free throw line to talk to him during the free throws.

I want to be approachable and considerate to their needs; I'm just not sure who will do my job while I talk to the coach...and then what about the coach for the other team. Shouldn't we explain to him what we said to caoch A?