"That is my partner's call."

[dahoopref]

I tend to tell coaches:

"(Partner's name) is right there and had the best look at it."

"(Partner's name) will tell you what he saw (or didn't see) as soon as he can."

Saying "that's my partner's call" to me means that you are in disagreement with the call. A coach can sense that and will use it to divide the crew.

[just another ref]

I prefer not to mention my partner.

"I can't call that from here." or "I'm not looking way over there."

[Maineac]

In my opinion saying that could be taken by a coach to mean, "I agree with you, I'm not the one who called/didn't call that." I prefer "He had a great look, he was right there."

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I prefer not to mention my partner.

"I can't call that from here." or "I'm not looking way over there."

I usually state this positively instead of negativiely: "I was looking at xx and xx" (be specific).

[jeremy341a]

I agree with what has been said. When I coached I hated the "I can't call that from here or that isn't my call" That always made me feel like I saw it and choose not to call it. It also made me feel they were selling their partner out. I much prefered the "i'm didn't see it as I'm not watching that area.

[JRutledge]

Well I have said that phrase in some context previously, but usually say more like, "I have no idea what happened on that play, not looking there." I also do not explain calls I do not see or did not have a whistle on either. I have no problem telling a coach to speak with the calling official for a better or clearer explanation when they get a chance.

On Saturday I have a game where I called a foul from the Lead where the ball when in the basket and a teammate of the fouled team went up and touched the ball. Well of course I did not see the violation at all but knew the player was up on the rim. My partner comes in and calls a offensive BI and gives me information before I go to the table. Well I wave off the basket and then report the foul. Well the coach complains to me as I go table side and I tell him flat out, "Coach that is his call all the way, I am not looking up there or cannot really make that call from my position." I did tell him, "I think he touched the ball but my partner will gladly tell you what he called when he gets a chance." The coach said almost nothing else to me and later my partner did explain his call and we moved on. Not saying that was the best thing to say, but I could not think of anything else to really say for that kind of play as it literally was not my call to make. Otherwise I would have said something totally different. Not saying I was right, just did not want to explain something I clearly did not see.

Peace

[Rich]

My line is usually -- "We've got two officials looking there, I'm looking at (insert something here)."

Coaches, like fans, follow the ball. I think they think we do, too.

[icallfouls]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well I have said that phrase in some context previously, but usually say more like, "I have no idea what happened on that play, not looking there." I also do not explain calls I do not see or did not have a whistle on either. I have no problem telling a coach to speak with the calling official for a better or clearer explanation when they get a chance.

On Saturday I have a game where I called a foul from the Lead where the ball when in the basket and a teammate of the fouled team went up and touched the ball. Well of course I did not see the violation at all but knew the player was up on the rim. My partner comes in and calls a offensive BI and gives me information before I go to the table. Well I wave off the basket and then report the foul. Well the coach complains to me as I go table side and I tell him flat out, "Coach that is his call all the way, I am not looking up there or cannot really make that call from my position." I did tell him, "I think he touched the ball but my partner will gladly tell you what he called when he gets a chance." The coach said almost nothing else to me and later my partner did explain his call and we moved on. Not saying that was the best thing to say, but I could not think of anything else to really say for that kind of play as it literally was not my call to make. Otherwise I would have said something totally different. Not saying I was right, just did not want to explain something I clearly did not see.

Peace

After all that, I can hear the bus backing up for a second run at partner

"We communicated, offense committed BI, no basket, 2 Ft's"

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by icallfouls

After all that, I can hear the bus backing up for a second run at partner

"We communicated, offense committed BI, no basket, 2 Ft's"

Is the bus backed up because you feel it is or because of my partner? I told my partner what I said and he did not bat an eye. I would not have have been upset. Coaches need to know that we all do not call the same things and that expectation is silly.

I think sometimes we worry too much about what others think of us honestly and especially coaches.

Peace

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well I have said that phrase in some context previously, but usually say more like, "I have no idea what happened on that play, not looking there." I also do not explain calls I do not see or did not have a whistle on either. I have no problem telling a coach to speak with the calling official for a better or clearer explanation when they get a chance.

On Saturday I have a game where I called a foul from the Lead where the ball when in the basket and a teammate of the fouled team went up and touched the ball. Well of course I did not see the violation at all but knew the player was up on the rim. My partner comes in and calls a offensive BI and gives me information before I go to the table. Well I wave off the basket and then report the foul. Well the coach complains to me as I go table side and I tell him flat out, "Coach that is his call all the way, I am not looking up there or cannot really make that call from my position." I did tell him, "I think he touched the ball but my partner will gladly tell you what he called when he gets a chance." The coach said almost nothing else to me and later my partner did explain his call and we moved on. Not saying that was the best thing to say, but I could not think of anything else to really say for that kind of play as it literally was not my call to make. Otherwise I would have said something totally different. Not saying I was right, just did not want to explain something I clearly did not see.

Peace

My answer would be: "Coach, we got together and talked about it and this is OUR ruling."

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I usually state this positively instead of negativiely: "I was looking at xx and xx" (be specific).

I like this too. Of course it also depends on what the complaint is about. Coaches usually complain to the official that is nearest, no matter what. What can you possibly say when, as lead in two man, the coach is screaming at you about the ten second count? Sometimes there is no substitute for a shoulder shrug. Or, better yet, a brief, incredulous look.

"What is this strange, coachese language which you are speaking?"

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

I tend to tell coaches:

"(Partner's name) is right there and had the best look at it."

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.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I know this is something that some officials say, but how does the official that makes this statement know this? ....

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

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by tomegun

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.

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.