ACs......oh boy
 

Had a JV girls game last night. AC losing it about a no call when his girl lost her balance out of bounds. There was tight defense, but no contact that caused her to go OOB. I can see from the bench how it appeared maybe there was, but there wasn't (I was in perfect position to make/not make the call).

I explained to the head coach that she lost her balance and their was no contact from the defender. His AC is still going nuts. Whack. Then he loses it more and says, "I don't get a warning?!?!?!" I reply, "Assistant coaches don't get warnings."

Was that too far? I know at the JV level they aren't on as much of a leash like at the Varsity level.

Then the visiting book keeper waived his arms at me when I reported the T, should I have asked him to leave the table?

I am a little new to the game, but don't want to be a pushover. Additionally, I don't want to get black listed from these schools.

Thanks in advance,

pfan

I probably would have whacked the AC as well but it is a had to be there thing.

Keep in mind though...you probably just whacked the varsity head coach. At least around here, the varsity head coach will sit on the bench as an assistant during the JV games. Lets them monitor/observe their assistants and the progress of the players in real game situations.

As for the table...I probably would have just given them "the look". Asking them to leave for just that would have been a bit much. At least in my opinion.

AC don't have the privilege of "losing it".

Could it just be a lack of knowledge?
 

You never know what you're getting as far as a table crew in JV game; Personally I would've approached them and just explained that if you're going to sit here then you're working; and specifically we're working together. You cannot react negativley or positivley as a fan would when you're sitting here at the table. I can't imagine that wouldn't correct the problem assuming the issue was just a lack of knowledge....

If it continued.....handle your buisness.

Sounds good to me. The visiting book isn't needed at the table, so the "bullshit" wave would probably result in them losing that spot if it happened more than once.

What?

1. Other than responding to the AC coach's stupid question (I would have maybe given the HC a quick questioning glance), I would have done the same thing.

2. The visiting book keeper would have received a quick warning about the expectations of table personnel.

"If you want to remain at this table, that behavior needs to cease...immediately"

Something you can say to the HC when his AC is starting to act out is "Coach, your AC is on the verge of costing you your coaching box."

I've used that a few times and it has the desired effect.

I don't pretend ACs don't exist and I will gladly answer polite questions from them at my leisure but I don't tolerate them "losing it" either.

I have said that to a JV HC. He said "That is my boss, you control him. He knows better."

About two trips later I controlled him. JV coach gave him a look, shook his head and took a seat.

Ouch. Not the first time I've heard of the V HC showing up the JV game and tipping over the apple cart. Happens quite often in football around here.

Don't respond to AC comments that are made in anger or while "going nuts". Address the HC as described above. (The idea that the AC gets more leash at games below varsity is the opposite of anything I've ever heard). Personally, I think you may have waited one step too long on the T here... AC goes nuts - T or at least warn HC - definitely don't address his complaint.

Any HC that is losing it during the JV is probably on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Snippy comments when you’re in the area is what is normally the case (they just go ignored). However, assistants are what they are during your game. Usually, a quick re-direction to the JV HC that it’s his responsibility to maintain bench decorum has worked for me in the past.

I was taught, "we talk to ONLY the head coach". I believe that is an excellent rule. It's a fine line from a question to a comment and it only get worse from there. JMO.

Give them an inch.....

As I said, as long as they are being cordial, I will talk with them. I like to treat ACs like human beings. After all, some of them eventually become HCs.

What I meant by my leash comment, was the Varsity Assistant knows not to cost the HC a T. The JV assistant may not know this as much. Right?

I treat all ACs like human beings. Some human beings I ignore, some I don't. :D

Seriously though, I'm not talking to ACs who are whining and commenting about calls. I'll talk at them, as in "that's enough". Now, if at some point during the administration of a time-out, they ask me quietly "could please see if they are holding our players coming off of picks?", I acknowledge with an "ok, and move on.

Not only do I disagree, I would profer that in the instances where you're right - one way to learn quickly is for them to be taught by example. :)

You, the official, are not responsible for doing your job differently based on the rules knowledge of your coaches or players. Don't give them more rope than you would any other AC.

AC are like children. Seen and not heard. And just like children, I will listen what I have to say, but I am not listening to them over the adults (Head Coaches) when the adults are talking.

I would have T's up the coach too and probably would not have said anything to him when he asked the question about the warning.

Peace

If anything, their lack of understanding gives them a shorter rope. Deal with it sooner and more harshly.

I am curious, though. When you addressed the HC about the no-call, was it purely because of his AC going crazy? IOW, was the HC also asking? I honestly would have likely addressed that instead of the play. "Coach, I really can't discuss this until you get your bench under control." With his AC going nuts, the HC isn't getting any response from me on an actual call. He needs to deal with his bench first.

There it is. I used ths one last week in my season finale.

AC didn't like two first-half rulings, and on the second one (a PC foul), he yells, "that's TWO!" I was thinking, he better not get to three.

On the way back down the court, the HC complained "he was moving." He didn't hear my reply ("yes, backwards"), so I took a minute at haftime to explain the call (LGP was established before movement). He accepted that, and I told him to mind his bench, with a variation of Welpe's line.

As I was leaving the court after the final buzzer (3-point home victory), the AC approached me, apologized, and shook my hand. Not a bad way to finish the season.

The key being as long as they are being cordial. Like the seeder post indicated, if they start mouthing off and getting argumentative then I go to the HC and tell him to settle his AC down. If he doesn't or can't, then I will.

What's that got to do with becoming a human being? :rolleyes:

To Quote My Mom, No Means No ...
 

While your answer may be true, I believe that a better answer would have simply been, "No".

"Assistant coaches don't get warnings" implies that head coaches get warnings. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't.

Should have whacked him before you got to still. AC's should know better, and if the head coach sees his assistant going ham he should know to get control quickly. Otherwise, he's getting an indirect T.

LEAVE THE AREA. Don't stick around for this conversation. Tech the assistant, turn around, and meet your partner far away. Deal with the FT's and send your partner to seat the HC.

Depends on how obvious it is, or whether you think he is inciting other negative reactions from the crowd. Up to your judgement on whether or not you can still work with this guy.