Turn In Your Black Belt ...
 

What? You mean that you talked to players that were not a speaking captain? You probably forgot to ask for a speaking captain during your pregame, forgot to ask what his number was, and make them show it to you from under their warmup jersey, and then forgot to ask if the speaking captain was starting? Now you made it tougher for the next official who works their game, all the players will think that they're allowed to speak to an official in a respectful and professional manner. It will be total anarchy. Well? We all learn by our mistakes. Don't we? I'm sure that you'll do a better job in your next game.

I've never had a coach ask anything in the pregame about hand checks. I've had players do it, though, following the "any questions?" at the end. My response to them (with a grin on my face) is, "try hand checking someone and see what happens."

As for my speech: "Fellas/ladies, my partner(s) and I will do our best to stay out of your way. How much we get in your way is on you. You play ball, we won't bother you. You don't, then we get involved. Questions? Okay, have fun!" 15 seconds. 20 if I pause too long.

Captains meeting:

I ask for speaking captains because that is what is the custom around here. I agree that it's pretty pointless but it's what is done. So my captain's meeting is:

Intros
Who speaking for blue/white, etc?
You are captains for a reason so help us out with your teams
Sportsmanship at all times
Put the ball in the basket
Good luck

We walk over and introduce ourselves to coaches in front of their respective benches. We don't have a coaches meeting that I see some of you refer to. For coaches I just introduce myself to head coach, shake hands with assistants and then back to the HC:

Coach, you have a good box here (pointing out lines) and we ask that your team's ready to play on the 2nd horn.

For the OP, is there any particularly reasoning for the "pursuing victory with honor" line?

It must be personal -- I find it especially grating myself.

Yeah, I don't like it at all. But that's just me (and apparently you too).

I think a simpler line about sportsmanship would better serve the purpose. Just asking as maybe it's a local thing like asking for speaking capts is here.

Yeah, I kept forgetting to mention it, but it comes across as a bit over the top. No need to get poetic.

Apparently it's some sportsmanship initiative in Arizona, which is where it appears the OP is from. If it's a phrase everyone uses there, fine -- where I am, kids would just roll their eyes at it.

Introduce ourselves to coaches and captains and hand cards to coaches

Then:

"Captains, will you play with the highest level of sportmanship and encourage your teammates to do the same?"

"Yes sir."

"Great, you may rejoin your team (warming up)."


"Coaches, are your players legally and properly equipped?"

"Uh, I hope so/ affirmative nods / I think so / they'd better be" - are common responses

"Any questions for us right now?"

"No."

"Good luck, gentlemen."

Is that a reason to lock the thread? ;)

You know what I'm thinking now, right?

My personal favorite is, "Black line all around is out of bounds."

Is that a rhetorical question?

One of my favorites, as well. ;)

Basically, any coaches/capts meeting that lasts longer than 20 - 30 seconds once the R starts talking is too long and definitely bordering on, if not, awkward.

It's a program that our state uses. Coaches, ADs, and for a while players had to participate. Again another thing I've been told to say.

I like yours -- short, sweet, to the point. Asking questions gets the captains/coaches invested in the meeting. Reminds them about what you expect from them, and gives you something to refer back to in case a player is improperly equipped, etc.

Has anyone used different "speeches"? Have you noticed if saying certain things make the game go smoother/avoids problems? I am sure we can put our brains together and figure out which combination of elements would create the best speech.