Pre Game Conversation With Coaches

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Rich

If you're a U, grab your other U (if applicable) and back out. Subtle message sent.

I do this a lot (unfortunately) in our HS association...we have a number of guys who do the whole "it's the black line all around" etc., etc. I just pat the third partner on the back and walk a few steps away and watch the warmups.

Have had two or three partners get mad about it and try to "discuss" it at halftime. Those discussions don't last very long.

As for Coaches, it's "Coach, good to see you again. Good luck tonight" as I shake their hand, and then I walk away.

[mj]

"have a good game..."

Once in awhile I'll toss in "remember we're here to have fun" or mention something about sportsmanship but not very often.

[OKREF]

My captains meetings go like this.

Coaches, everyone properly equipped? Play with good sportsmanship, let us know what you want for a time out. Any questions? Good luck.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mj

"have a good game..."

Once in awhile I'll toss in "remember we're here to have fun" or mention something about sportsmanship but not very often.

One of these days we'll need to work together. The longer I live here, the longer that list seems to get.

3-person, though. 2-person is just too much work.

[mj]

Originally Posted by Rich

One of these days we'll need to work together. The longer I live here, the longer that list seems to get.

3-person, though. 2-person is just too much work.

I'd be good with that. I don't even ask about being legally equipped. No coach has never told me they weren't and there is no penalty even if they are.

Last 2 person game of the year tonight!!!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mj

I'd be good with that. I don't even ask about being legally equipped. No coach has never told me they weren't and there is no penalty even if they are.

Last 2 person game of the year tonight!!!

Some things are required by the state.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Some things are required by the state.

We're in the same state (mj and I). And I'll probably take mj's advice and shorten this even more. It eliminates the R having to go last in order to ask the question.

Working a 3-person girls game tonight. Last regular season game for me - working with two partners I've never met before.

[centkyref]

In Kentucky, we are required to read the sportsmanship card. I usually start the meeting by waving it around saying: "The card I'm not going to read is all about sportsmanship, so everybody play nice!" I then ask the coaches if everybody is legally and properly equipped. They always answer yes. "Thanks guys, good luck!" No more than a minute.

I did get one partner good this year, though. I was one of the umpires, and we were commenting before the game what a waste of time the captains/coaches meeting is. He went through the "play nice/legally equipped" stuff, then out of habit looked at us if we had anything to add. The other umpire started to back out and I stepped up and said (in my best Barney Fife impersonation: "Now boys! Tonight we're not gonna put up with any nonsense. We're nipping in the bud!"

Both coaches and the R about swallowed their gum. The kids also got a chuckle. The look on the R's face when I stepped up was priceless.