Speaking to a coach

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by Rich

You know, this isn't about calling or not calling the three second violation. Doesn't really matter to me if the 63" player pulled two sticks out of his (probably fairly small) pockets and sat down in the lane and started a campfire.

It's about saying too much to a coach.

I didn't see a question in the OP. I'm guessing the coach was hollering for 3-seconds. Why even have the conversation? Simply let him go on thinking you missed it and keep the game going.

If he asks the question politely, tell him you didn't have him in there too long and that you'll look for it in the future. Then don't change anything.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

The coach did complain and I tried to explain.

If the kid had been taller to box off or get a rebound, I would have called it. this kid was under 100 pounds and short. He was up against 3 players from the other team that were about 6' tall and over 160 pounds.

My point was to keep the game flowing.

Coach was upset because the other team had made a run and caught up. That's really what it was.

[Adam]

Like Rich said. I'm not even addressing this complaint. If he asks a polite question, I might say I was giving him a chance to get out since he was trying. After his warning, however, I'm not going to discuss it later.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Adam

Like Rich said. I'm not even addressing this complaint. If he asks a polite question, I might say I was giving him a chance to get out since he was trying. After his warning, however, I'm not going to discuss it later.

The one thing that working a sideline in football (I hadn't regularly worked a sideline in over a decade prior to this year, when I moved to a new level for me) was that sometimes it's better to just pretend the coach didn't say anything. Many times, the coach is just venting some frustration and will move on very quickly.

That is, unless the official keeps the conversation going.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

The coach did complain and I tried to explain.

If the kid had been taller to box off or get a rebound, I would have called it. this kid was under 100 pounds and short. He was up against 3 players from the other team that were about 6' tall and over 160 pounds.

My point was to keep the game flowing.

Coach was upset because the other team had made a run and caught up. That's really what it was.

I thought the point of the thread was to have better communications with a coach. If that is the case, then the fact that you told a coach you ignored a rule because of the height of a player caused the conversation to go farther than it should have. If you don't believe that to be the case then I don't know what other kind of answer you are looking for.

You not only said too much, you told a coach you purposedly ignored a rule. Next time, if you really want keep the game flowing and shut the coach down then your best answer would have be "you know what coach, you might be right about this one."

[Terrapins Fan]

I meant that my point in NOT calling the 3 seconds, was to keep the game flowing.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

I meant that my point in NOT calling the 3 seconds, was to keep the game flowing.

Oh, I understood that. But in the end the amount of time that was saved was offset by the aggravation of having to address the coach multiple times.

You know you didn't call it b/c you just wanted to keep the game moving. But you don't want to have an on-going dialogue over a single insignificant play. So "coach, you're probably right" lets you get away with the no-call without having to explain it AND shuts the coach down at the same time.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Is there an internet in heaven? If so, Jurassic Referee, please send us a sign.

My goodness...bless the dead. Now can you let him rest in peace?

Originally Posted by Rich

I didn't see a question in the OP. I'm guessing the coach was hollering for 3-seconds. Why even have the conversation? Simply let him go on thinking you missed it and keep the game going.

The philosophy of only answering questions should be changed. Some comments must be addressed before a situations gets to the point of causing the almighty stop sign to come out or a technical foul. Also, repeated questions may become an issue also.

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

If the kid had been taller to box off or get a rebound, I would have called it. this kid was under 100 pounds and short. He was up against 3 players from the other team that were about 6' tall and over 160 pounds.

My point was to keep the game flowing.

Coach was upset because the other team had made a run and caught up. That's really what it was.

Could this kid make a layup? If so, allowing him to remain in the paint without a violation could certainly cause the defense to leave one or two defenders near him. One defender that had to account for him and adjust their defensive position even one step from what it would be otherwise is a disadvantage to the defense.

Game flow is overrated, overstated and overused. Call what needs to be called.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tomegun

The philosophy of only answering questions should be changed. Some comments must be addressed before a situations gets to the point of causing the almighty stop sign to come out or a technical foul. Also, repeated questions may become an issue also.

I agree, but I'd have to see how the coach is complaining / commenting. I'm going to let him repeat himself at least once or twice before addressing it -- perhaps he'd just say something once and move off it.