Why can't we be friends?

[Rob_K]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

Oh yeah, and don't throw any chairs.

Ha! The leagues I play in are smart enough to take those off the court.

Really appreciate the replies so far, this is some excellent stuff. Great insight for a coach, look forward to more.

I know you guys probably don't like dealing with less experienced coaches, same goes for us with the officials. It's harder to lay back when you see a newer official start to get intimidated by the opposing coach or parents in the stands. Any tips for dealing with an official who is obviously new to the courts?

[stiffler3492]

Originally Posted by Rob_K

Any tips for dealing with an official who is obviously new to the courts?

Find the nearest bar after the game.

Joking of course.

Look, all officials did their first game once upon a time, and 99% of those officials would look at the tape of that game, if they could, and laugh. An official improves leaps and bounds over their first season, as long as they're willing to put in the work and learn.

Quite honestly, it can be just as frustrating for us to work with a newbie. We almost end up covering the whole game by ourselves. I've been lucky in my experience that every time I've worked with a new guy, he/she has been willing and eager. That's not always the case.

Speaking from our side of the coin, once you realize he's new, throw him a softball question perhaps. Something that you already know the answer to. It will help in his development. He's going to miss calls, that's just part of the on the job training that happens with basketball officials. Hopefully, the next time you see him, he's much, much better.