I'll keep an eye out . . .

[Pantherdreams]

Its becoming more and more the norm in the games I work in our area that our assignor expects us to respond to coaches who have a question/conern about something we're "missing" with a generic response:

ie. "I'll watch for it coach", "We'll keep an eye on it", etc. etc

I understand this acknowledges the coach and the issue while allowing me to leverage to then in fact keep officiating while looking for it in case it is an issue. In some situations it seems appropriate, if I am in fact listening and willing to look at a concern. Often I hear other officials use it and then there is no follow up, no concerted effort to correct or ID the concern, in fact often they'll come over during a break/ halftime and after the game complaining about the coach whining about something.

Maybe its just me over thinking this or wrestling with my view on integrity of the game but if I tell someone I'll do something I will go ahead and do it not just give a placating response. I will in fact look at the situation the coach is concerned about if it comes up again and make a judgement. At this point maybe not on my own but if the coach brings it up again I feel like I'm obliged to then explain to the coach that I've seen it and this is what I saw. I know that opens the door to conversation/debate/argument we don't want. I'm not sure tellign him I'm watching for something when I know now what he/she's seeing but they aren't going to get that call tonight just seems dishonest? Avoidance?

I guess at what point do you tell the coach that you'll watch for something and at what point do you tell them what you are seeing and why its being called that way?