Pregame conferences: Captains and Coaches

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by zm1283

The players were really respectful and professional about how they asked us questions.

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.

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

So when the coach asks, "How are you going to call the hand check tonight?" or "Are you going to call it tight, or let em see if they can play through the contact tonight?" what do you tell them? This is a couple examples of cans of worms I really don't want to open, therefore, I NEVER ask them if they have any questions.

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.

[VaTerp]

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?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by VaTerp

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.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by Rich

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.

[Adam]

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

[Rich]

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.

[#olderthanilook]

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."

[maven]

Originally Posted by Adam

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

Is that a reason to lock the thread?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by maven

Is that a reason to lock the thread?

You know what I'm thinking now, right?

[deecee]

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

[maven]

Originally Posted by Adam

You know what I'm thinking now, right?

Is that a rhetorical question?

[#olderthanilook]

Originally Posted by deecee

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

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.

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by Rich

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

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.

Originally Posted by #olderthanilook

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.

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.