5th foul sub mechanic

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by deecee

If this is what sets the coach off then that is on him 100%. This is not a dumb statement, but one of fact. As long as we implement mechanics to acquiesce to coaches who are upset we have no business complaining about coaches behavior. We either choose to deal with it or we don't.

I don't find myself agreeing with you on this part of the game very often ... but I sure do here. We don't need to put as much effort in deciding what will or will not set off a coach as some seem to be intimating. If a coach just HAS to get that T, he will do so. Preventative officating here (as everywhere) is fine, but it seems some are advocating bending over backward to avoid having to issue a technical foul. I don't see that. If the guy's that borderline, let him have his T - sometimes that's the most efficient way to cool a hothead anyway.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

It seems some are advocating bending over backward to avoid having to issue a technical foul.

Not me. Not in thirty-three years. Why? Because I don't want to let the coach perceive that I can be intimidated, as I run away from him to the other side of the court, and let him deal with my partner.

But it's a game management tool that IAABO gives us. And it may be a good tool for some hot headed officials. Yes, there are hot headed officials, just as there are hot headed coaches. And maybe it's a good idea for a hot headed official to remove himself from the vicinity of the coach, and take a few breaths while his partner deals with the coach.

I often use the "remind the coach he can't stand" option. I'm occasionally pissed when I charge a technical foul to a coach. Maybe I need to go administer a few free throws, and calm down, even when I'm not supposed to switch that way. Do others employ this form of game management?

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I don't find myself agreeing with you on this part of the game very often ... but I sure do here. We don't need to put as much effort in deciding what will or will not set off a coach as some seem to be intimating. If a coach just HAS to get that T, he will do so. Preventative officating here (as everywhere) is fine, but it seems some are advocating bending over backward to avoid having to issue a technical foul. I don't see that. If the guy's that borderline, let him have his T - sometimes that's the most efficient way to cool a hothead anyway.

Agreed...it's almost as if we think calling a T is somehow a failure on our part. "Oh no, I've called a T. What did I do wrong to cause this???? If only I had let my partner be the one to tell the Coach..."

T'd an Assistant Coach last Friday for standing up and yelling at my Partner's back...T'd a Head Coach Monday for screaming at me about a travel call...in both cases, after they had calmed down, the Coach wanted to know why I was mad at them. I responded the same both times - "Coach, I am not mad. There was no anger on my part at all."