To Another Player: "You F***ing Suck."

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Adam

Yeah, I know. I would just have a hard time not writing off everything else that guy said. I'd smile, nod, and say the right things, but the message would get lost with the messenger on this.

If you are more concerned with tone than message, you are going to miss out on some good advice in this avocation.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I had a game this year where one of my partners learned I was interested in working a college league that he used to work 3-4 years ago. He took it upon himself to "correct" several mechanical things that I did after the game. He said "if you want to work this league, you need to do things this way". The whole time I was thinking "who the hell are you to instruct me??" I smiled, said ok, and moved on.

"If you want to work this league" doesn't sound "instuctional", sounds "informational"; and it's something you'll hear directly from supervisors also.

I'd rather hear it before I get in front of a supervisor, not after I get in front of a supervisor.


My personal motto: "If I suck, please be candid and tell me. If I'm good, please tell a supervisor"

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by AremRed

The problem was his superior attitude. I know who to ask for advice, and when I ask I listen. I don't listen very often to unsolicited advice, cuz it's usually crap. And his was.

Do you now work for the supervisor in question and have found the unsolicited advice to be inaccurate?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

If you are more concerned with tone than message, you are going to miss out on some good advice in this avocation.

I'm actually pretty good at picking up advice, and I almost always ask when I'm working with someone more advanced than I am. I won't say I'm "more concerned" with the delivery, but it's part of the package.

Most of the guys with good advice have to have it pulled, and to be honest, I've never had a partner do the stuff in the OP. I'd likely take the advice (separating tone from message is a learned skill that serves one well in the military) and parse it in my head, smile and nod, thank him for his advice, and can the bulk of it. If it's good advice, I'm likely to hear it from other officials who aren't dicks about it.

[Rooster]

Epilogue...
Big Dawg was working the championship game of this tournament and there was a foul early. The temperature of the game was rising a little and as he's administering the free throws he tells the players "We've got a good game here with two good teams. Don't f**k up my game, alright? Let's play hard and enjoy it. Don't f**k it up. Don't you f**k up my game." I put my chin in my chest and mentally shrugged.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Epilogue...
Big Dawg was working the championship game of this tournament and there was a foul early. The temperature of the game was rising a little and as he's administering the free throws he tells the players "We've got a good game here with two good teams. Don't f**k up my game, alright? Let's play hard and enjoy it. Don't f**k it up. Don't you f**k up my game." I put my chin in my chest and mentally shrugged.

What level is this (I've lost track)? Because at just about everything above HS, I have no problem with this being said (relatively quietly to the players)

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

What level is this (I've lost track)? Because at just about everything above HS, I have no problem with this being said (relatively quietly to the players)

This was, according to the OP, HS summer rec league.

I'm not sure what I think of it there, except it's probably regional. No way I could get away with it here (some might, but not me). Some areas, it may be standard practice. It comes across to me as a college tool.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

What level is this (I've lost track)? Because at just about everything above HS, I have no problem with this being said (relatively quietly to the players)

I know officials who have used comments like these. They have far more job security than I have.

As much as coaches curse at players, and players curse at teammates, depending where you are, it's not that big of a deal, IMO.

[LRZ]

Personally, I would not curse, nor consider it "my game." It would be difficult to justify tossing a player for uttering a profanity if I've used it myself.

I have no problem with the preventive approach, though. Working HS age and below, I've used similar statements in soccer and baseball, but never so broadly in basketball.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by LRZ

Personally, I would not curse, nor consider it "my game." It would be difficult to justify tossing a player for uttering a profanity if I've used it myself.

I have no problem with the preventive approach, though. Working HS age and below, I've used similar statements in soccer and baseball, but never so broadly in basketball.

Honestly, the guy sounds like he used to be a military instructor.

I've been known to remind players to "keep your heads" or "don't do anything stupid."

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by LRZ

Personally, I would not curse, nor consider it "my game." It would be difficult to justify tossing a player for uttering a profanity if I've used it myself.

Agree 100%.