Does anyone have any good lines to use with coaches that diffuse a volatile situation or make them stop in their tracks? I am compiling a list to give to our association so that officials, especially the wings, can settle down potential problems with coaches. These can be humorous or other. No smart-alec responses, please. We are serious about trying to improve our communication with coaches.

One that has worked over the years for me is, "Coach, if it happened the way YOU said it happened, we missed it." No coach ever has an immediate response. At first blush it sounds like we are admitting a mistake, but after a few minutes they realize I was really saying, "We didn't see it that way."

When they start to complain about a "missed" call.

"If it happened like you saw it coach, then we missed it."

That is a great one, cuz it lets them know you "may" have missed it, if so you are sorry, and it is pretty tough for them to go off on you then.