NWAhoops.com Presents "YOU MAKE THE CALL"

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by NWAhoops
Dan, obviously you don't know me and that's too bad. My focus here was NOT to berate the ref (or you) but to find out how most refs would see/call this. Then, based on that info I can anticipate reactions and change my coaching style. I call it learning.

Since you brought up the subject, I'll respond. IMO, just because you're reffing 10/11/12yr old kids shouldn't stop you from being consistent. Coaches can't coach fundamentals if the calls are all over the board. Call it either loose or tight but call it consistently. I believe most of your colleague would agree.

Opinions from cmathews, Hawks Coach, devdog69 and ChuckElias were direct yet constructive and will allow me to better prepare for future games. You on the other hand, assumed I act like Bobby Knight simply because I put "Coach" in front of my last name. This was the only T I've ever received and I was completely surprised by it. After receiving feedback from the your colleagues I can see their perspective and will never touch the sideline again. (Remember, that was the point of my original post)

On the other hand, you have proven to me, with your last statement, that some refs will always be looking for someone to whack.

Coach, you're so focused on being defensive, that you missed the point of Dan's post. He said, "These are 5th grade girls we are discussing here. You might find this hard to believe but at some point a lot of experienced officials just stop taking these games, so you get mostly first year guys or guys with first year experience repeated 10 times. So maybe the refs are inconsistent, so what. Lighten up with 'em and concentrate of coaching your team & displaying an extraordinarily positive attitude...

And he's correct. Let's examine what he said. Very few veteran officials are working these types of tourneys. Most of these guys are young inexperienced officials or maybe even rec league officials. Further, you aren't going to change their mind or the call by barking about something you think they missed. And if you're too antagonistic, all you'll do is alienate them. I've seen it over and over again. A coach is so focused on the officials that he forgets to coach. He loses focus, the players lose focus and pretty soon, the game is in the toilet. Ignore the officials, and focus on your team.

That's what Dan was saying.