I asked because I was conflicted with an email that was sent out. I know we all have different perspectives on what we say and how we say things. I did not say it was going to totally change things or what I say. I feel that we have to tell coaches the truth and not act like we all are equally watching the same things.

Peace

JRut,

For consideration:

Do you think your partner could have done something more like an NBA mechanic and had a whistle as soon as the offense committed BI? I think the whistle becomes the clear indicator that your partner now had additional information that would be completely his call.

It certainly means that the calling officials will have a discussion as to what they both have rather than just coming in and saying "I have offensive BI"

Just thinking out loud, but I like this idea and hopefully I would be able to use it properly.

Okay, a coach doesn't necessarily like to hear the rationale, "That wasn't in my area, coach." After all, he probably doesn't know anything about PCA's. And he's just ragging on you as the nearest representative of the crew on the floor, either expressing frustration over something called or missed, or lobbying for future favoritism -- neither of which have a high likelihood of meriting our serious consideration (yes, there are exceptions to that). Therefore, what often works is to just somehow fill in the time until his attention is diverted to the next play occurring. My latest favorite goes something like this:
Coach: How could your partner call that over there. Didn't you see that?
Me: Coach, I understand you disagree with that call over there, is that correct?
Coach: That's correct.
Me: I understand.
Coach: :confused:
Me: :) ... and on to the next play myself.
By that time the coach's attention is diverted to the next play, and if he wants to continue the point, which he probably won't (when I was in his place my memory was about as short as my tallest player--not very) and if he wants to rag on my partner for his part in his perceived debacle he'll at least wait for him to come around or, more likely, just drop it.
Kinda a perverted "Verbal Judo" tactic, but it works.

My partner who was the trail made the call immediately. We did not really get together honestly. I asked him if he had BI before I went to the table. The communication took a couple of seconds. It was obvious to everyone he made a call or that a call was made. I just echoed the call at the table before reporting.

Again I am not saying that what I said to the coach could not be perceived by some as wrong, just trying to figure out why some statements are OK but we are saying the same basic thing. It was obviously his call to everyone watching and we worked together to get it right. I even gave the coach the opportunity to ask him when he got the chance. I will think of saying something different in the future, but do not see why this is over the top an other statements are not seen the same way. Just wondering mostly.

Peace

It seems like every year there is some new approach to dealing with coaches in a way that doesn't divide the crew.

The overall statement that "it was my partners call" has taken on the meaning that "coach doesn't like the call, but hey it was my partners messed up call, I had something different or I thought it was a no-call"

There is a movement for referees to be mindless autotans and therefore we should be saying less.

I sometimes like....he was in a much better position to see that play than you or I coach.

I have actually had a coach say:

to my partner: "HEY, GET HIM OFF OF HIM!!!"

to me: "You saw that, but I know you can't call it from here."

I didn't say anything, but he was right.

we used to live in world of sticks and stones may break my bones but word will never hurt me. now the world hinges on every word chosen looking to hang u with every possible meaning. Now we have to choose our word carefully even if what we would normally say means the same thing. hate this world sometimes

I am convinced this is the bigger issue, not what we actually say. I guess I would like to be told the truth, not lied to or mislead. Obviously I am not a coach and I like the truth.

Peace

Ha, got the same email.

Since it's the heat of the moment and a coach wants to vent at the nearest official, I usually say, 'Coach, he had a better look than us( nicer than "hey, I have the same s"#tty view you do"), you can ask him when he's over here.

Later, invariably, coach has moved on and never asks partner. Psych 101 to me.

Answers will vary depending on coach's attitude.

Neither can you coach ( I say to myself)

I have used, "Coach, I didn't have any better look than you did, I'd only be guessing."

It worked for the moment.

I know this is something that some officials say, but how does the official that makes this statement know this? I personally put this in the same category as an official that says "Coach, we are going to work hard for you tonight" during the pregame conference.

My personal preference, but I don't say either of those things simply because I don't know that either one of them will be or are true.

Well, in a 2-man crew that would be easy to know :D

I understand what you are saying, and don't necessarily disagree with it. IMO, it's still better for the crew for each official to "stand up" for our partners during the game, even if one or both may be guys we have never worked with in the past and/or know very little about.

Telling a coach "my partner does a great job of getting into the best position to see plays in his area" shouldn't be a stretch for each of us to convey, esp at the varsity level. If it's not necessarily true, the coach will find out for himself soon enough when he gets his 10 seconds of Q&A with your partner(s).

At that point, we have to let our partners live and die with their call.