Lotsa T's for Some, Not Very Many for Others?

[Freddy]

The recent thread on "Technical Fouls", combined with several crew and individual observations this past week, prompted the question, "Why is it that some officials, and in some cases crews, in the same geographical area, dish out a lot of technicals, while for others it's quite rare?" Here's some thoughts on possible reasons for the disparity. Comments and/or other perspectives would be welcomed.

It could be that...
...some rightfully have less tolerance for unsporting behavior on the parts of players and coaches than other officials. They, utilizing the unsporting technical foul for its intended purpose as a valid tool, are properly “taking care of business” and not passing off problems to other crews through shyness and neglect.
...they, due to their level of experience and expertise, are the ones assigned to the tough games with the teams that are tougher to handle. Those teams that deserve technical fouls are getting them from officials and crews that were given that game because of their ability as effective lion-tamers.
...other officials, due to shyness, lack of confidence, or a simple “chicken-hearted” attitude, are not properly "taking care of business" and, in passing up opportunities for justified T’s, are wrongly passing on unsportsmanlike behavior, and passing it along, unaddressed, to other officials who have the fortitude to take care of it as necessary.
...their communication skills are lacking, and little fires which otherwise never would have started all-too-quickly ignite into raging conflagrations which can only be put out by a member of the officiating crew having “the last act.”
...their play-calling is truly questionable and they bring upon themselves more anger and objections from players and coaches because of it, therefore T's are used as a sort of defense mechanism.
...they are too “thin skinned”. Due to personality or character, they, unlike others, perceive a strongly stated comment as a personal attack, or consider a standard, garden-variety complaint in the heat of the moment as a reason to pull the trigger.

[Welpe]

Yup looks about right.

[26 Year Gap]

I think being at either extreme is not a good place to be. Technicals are not something to brag about. You don't win a Most Technicals Assessed Award. And you don't get a Perfect Attendance Award for having a T-free season, either.

[BillyMac]

The coaches know me. I've been to the rodeo many, many, many times, in thirty-one years. They know that I will work my butt off for them, and their players. They know that when I make an occasional mistake, that I will allow them to question me, and that I will own up to my mistake. But they also know that I will not allow myself, or my partner, to be abused. No technical fouls so far this year, only a few last year. Reputation. Familiarity.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

I think being at either extreme is not a good place to be. Technicals are not something to brag about. You don't win a Most Technicals Assessed Award. And you don't get a Perfect Attendance Award for having a T-free season, either.

Yep.

Peace

[jTheUmp]

You're forgetting one:

... it's just random coincidence, in that sometimes you get a string of games or a string of situations that require technical fouls, and sometimes you can go an entire month without a T-worthy situation.

Like my situation, for example: 4 Ts this season, 3 of which came in a single 8th grade game (one 'slam-the-ball-down-and-almost-hit-the-official-with-it-as-a-show-of-disgust' whacking, one T for yelling "get out of my face" at an opponent who was just guarding her in the post, and one "you gotta be f-cking kidding me" directed at the officials immediately after the second T).

The 4th T was an administrative T for adding a number to the book.

Other then that, I've been lucky thus far that I've had teams (and coaches) who are more interested in playing and coaching the game than they are in trying to work the officials.

[rockyroad]

It also seems (from the aforementioned thread) that most of the T's are coming in lower level games - Jr. High, rec. league, sub-varsity, etc. So someone who works a steady diet of those games - and the less experienced coaches who are on the bench - will probably have more T's than someone working strictly Varsity or College ball.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

one "you gotta be f-cking kidding me" directed at the officials...

From a middle schooler?

That would likely result in a flagrant T in these parts.

Originally Posted by RichMSN

After 25 years, I've learned one thing -- it has very little to do with me and everything to do with how "in control" players and coaches are.

Would it be a fair statement to say, it can have much to do with how "in control" you are?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

I think being at either extreme is not a good place to be. Technicals are not something to brag about. You don't win a Most Technicals Assessed Award. And you don't get a Perfect Attendance Award for having a T-free season, either.

I could go an entire season without a technical. I could have 3 in a week. After 25 years, I've learned one thing -- it has very little to do with me and everything to do with how "in control" players and coaches are. My line doesn't move much, if at all.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

I don't have real thick skin but call few technicals. I think Billy put it well--I have a lot of gray hair and these games are not my first rodeo either. I think I communicate well, both verbally and non-verbally. My kids, who are grown up, always comment on my glare. It works in officiating as well as parenting.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I could go an entire season without a technical. I could have 3 in a week. After 25 years, I've learned one thing -- it has very little to do with me and everything to do with how "in control" players and coaches are. My line doesn't move much, if at all.

Yup, I have what I feel also is a well defined line and if they pole vault over it, I'm calling it.

I always take a hit on 16, never waver, and some T's with me are automatic.

Have always liked phrase "Will a T make the game better?" it usually does.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

Originally Posted by letemplay
I had a partner stop the game to give an explanation to the coach of the defensive team. As soon as we resumed play (and steam is coming out of my ears) the defensive teams slaps a press on.

The offensive team coach gives me this look like "WTF".

[Adam]

Originally Posted by fullor30

Yup, I have what I feel also is a well defined line and if they pole vault over it, I'm calling it.

I always take a hit on 16, never waver, and some T's with me are automatic.

Have always liked phrase "Will a T make the game better?" it usually does.

Usually, but I balk at the phrase because whether a T makes the game better really has no bearing on whether it was a good T.