Admit Mistakes

[gojeremy]

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on admitting missed calls to a coach. I know a local college official who actually goes out of his way to approach the coach on the sideline to either explain his call or admit fault. He may be opposite side trail/C and at a break he will practically cross the floor and initiate a discussion with the coach about the game. I have watched him work several games and have had him for a clinician and he has explained his philosophy that keeping an open communication with a coach helps keep problems to a minimum. I have no clue why he does this because when he approaches the coach they just tear into him. Thoughts on this philosophy? Also, I can see and hear him talking to players the entire game instead of just calling a foul on them. I understand saying "hands" or "lane" to remind players but he is practically coaching them. Coaches rip him for that too.

[SNIPERBBB]

If it works for you go for it. For most folks though, I think this approach just opens the door for unfortunate remarks, see the "Fun with Assistant Coaches" thread.

[OrStBballRef]

I have no problem admitting I missed or blew a call, but I will do it only 1 time per game. Any more than that and a coach will start questioning your ability...

Again we are not perfect and the players/coaches aren't either. Depending on the coach he/she may accept it and move on and you may have diffused a situation....

With regards to 'coaching' I never do that as that's not my job. I will use my voice to try and talk players out of a foul in a freshman or jv2 game just to avoid a foul fest, but rarely do I do so at the varsity level as they should know better...

[BryanV21]

I'll admit to a coach that I may have missed the call, but I never come right out and say I missed it. I guess it's because I don't want to appear weak to them, as it could lead to them thinking they can get on me about future calls too. Or maybe it's because I'm stubborn, and don't want to admit a mistake.

BTW, I might add that I'll make sure I'm in the best position to see things, too.

What can they say at that point? "Make sure you do that"? LOL

Originally Posted by BryanV21

I'll admit to a coach that I may have missed the call, but I never come right out and say I missed it.

What can they say at that point? "Make sure you do that"? LOL

I think it's different for rules versus judgement. If I wish I had a judgement call back I'll tell the coach that if I think he needs to know. Sometimes they don't complain at all, when that happens I don't say anything cuz I don't need to.

If I kick a rule though and I know it I am more likely to admit I kicked it. I kicked a rule last year, looked up the rule at halftime. When I came back out to the floor the coach was standing there holding the rulebook. I stopped him before he said anything and told him I kicked it. He shook my hand and we moved on. And no I did not T him for standing there with the book waiting for me. Still wouldn't.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I think it's different for rules versus judgement. If I wish I had a judgement call back I'll tell the coach that if I think he needs to know. Sometimes they don't complain at all, when that happens I don't say anything cuz I don't need to.

If I kick a rule though and I know it I am more likely to admit I kicked it. I kicked a rule last year, looked up the rule at halftime. When I came back out to the floor the coach was standing there holding the rulebook. I stopped him before he said anything and told him I kicked it. He shook my hand and we moved on. And no I did not T him for standing there with the book waiting for me. Still wouldn't.

Yeah, I was thinking only about judgement calls, but you're right. If I make a rule interpretation mistake, I'll let him/her know. No sense in not admitting it at that point, since they can look it up themselves. Rather be a stand-up guy that made a mistake, than a coward that made a mistake.

[Raymond]

I'll admit a mistake with the following guidelines:

• Only happening once in a game
• If asked about a call/no-call I was responsible for
• Within a reasonable timeframe after the play (as in the next time I'm by that coach)
• I will not seek out the coach or initiate a dialogue just to admit I missed something

If I kick a rule (not happening ), I hope my partners correct me before play begins.

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I think it's different for rules versus judgement. If I wish I had a judgement call back I'll tell the coach that if I think he needs to know. Sometimes they don't complain at all, when that happens I don't say anything cuz I don't need to.

If I kick a rule though and I know it I am more likely to admit I kicked it. I kicked a rule last year, looked up the rule at halftime. When I came back out to the floor the coach was standing there holding the rulebook. I stopped him before he said anything and told him I kicked it. He shook my hand and we moved on. And no I did not T him for standing there with the book waiting for me. Still wouldn't.

Surprised he had a rule book handy.