I'll keep an eye out . . .

[Freddy]

Based on video review, I'm discovering more and more that most frequently the comments coaches make are not so much grounded in the play that just happened, but in what could best be called "lobbying for future calls." Maybe, just maybe, the coach can gain an advantage in the upcoming minutes if he puts up a fuss on what he cites as an instance to which he'd like to see an outcome more favorable for him the next time it might occur.

Furthermore, there's what I have come to label, "Phantom Complaints." When a coach says, "I just wanna see one illegal screen called on #24 before this game is over," but #24 is a bench-rider who hasn't even been in the game yet, I say, "Hmmmm." I've sensed, and found in review, more of those kinds of fabricated complaints than I formerly thought occurred. Thus, similarly classified as another technique of "lobbying...".

Another thing: only about 1/3 of the time is the coach's comment to "Keep an eye out for..." directed at the official who was involved with or will next be able to respond by some kind of more diligent surveillance of alleged missed infraction. He's usually pleading whatever case he feels he has to a different official than he feels missed the call on the last play anyway. For an official to say, during the course of live ball action, in that situation, "We'll keep an eye on it, coach", to me seems disingenuous since that official can't have possible met with said partners to come to any sort of agreement to focus on alleged overlooked action.

Nothing wrong, in my book, with spreading a little good will by using an innocuous phrase like, "I'll keep an eye on it, coach." Most of the time, after his brief episode of venting, he's dwelling on the next series of plays anyway. And anyway, all he probably really wants to know is that you "care".

Best, in that case, to be careful of the pronoun used. "I'll..." - okay. "We'll..." - maybe not.

[HokiePaul]

If what the coach is describing is actually a violation (i.e. watch #1, he's pushing) generally say "I'll keep watching for it coach" rather than "I'll watch for it".

If it's not actually a violation (i.e. watch the reaching), I'm not going to tell teh coach I'll watch for it. I'd say something like: "If I see a foul I'll call it."

[Raymond]

"I hear you, Coach" usually works for me.

[#olderthanilook]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

"I hear you, Coach" usually works for me.

+1

I do this using the unmistakeable head nod. If I happen to be looking the coach's way, I'll look him/her in the eye while doing it. If not, then just an obvious head nod for acknowledgement.

If I have a little more time, and depending on the situation, I'll just repeat what the coach told me. That really let's the coach know I was listening.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

"I hear you, Coach" usually works for me.

This.

You're acknowledging his comment without having to agree, disagree or commit to a further action.

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

"I hear you, Coach" usually works for me.

I said this to a coach once and he came back a little bit later and said "You agreed with me, why haven't you been calling those fouls I pointed out??" I had to explain that acknowledgement of his comment is not the same as agreeing with him.

Now I say "I am watching everything coach." This reminds the coach that I have to watch more things than just the particular call he is looking for, and reminds him that I am on top of it.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I said this to a coach once and he came back a little bit later and said "You agreed with me, why haven't you been calling those fouls I pointed out??" I had to explain that acknowledgement of his comment is not the same as agreeing with him.
....

I'm not having too many more conversation with a coach who says that...LOL

[Mark Padgett]

Do you really think if your standard vocabulary includes words such as these and you use them during a game any coach on the planet will know what the heck you're talking about?

Originally Posted by Freddy

fabricated
diligent
disingenuous
alleged
innocuous