Situation from Last Night

[ajmc]

When is the bridge burned is a question only you can answer. Most experienced officials realize, and accept, that coaching can be an emotional experience the often produces flashes of over reaction. The key can be in your ability to recognize a flash, as an emotional outburst, ignore "flashes" as much as possible and differentiate between flashes and flames.

However, when a flash smolders and builds into an enduring flame, the only way to deal with it is to extinguish the flame. You might try a simple approach, advising the coach that you've heard his complaint and understand it, so there's no good reason to keep repeating it, and if you're really in an understanding mood, offer a final, "Coach, that's enough", but if the flame continues a flag becomes necessary and appropriate.

When you can satisfy yourself that you've provided ample opportunity for the coach to take a different approach, yet he has decided to continue arguing, he has earned any flag(s) he gets. The fault is NOT yours, it is entirely on him.

After the 1st flag, if you're not the referee walk away. If you are the referee, give the appropriate signal and turn away from the offending coach. Unless he's a complete fool, he will recognize the flag as having sawed off the limb he has chosen to walk out on, and should stop acting like a child. Thankfully, that is most often the case but every now and then a coach will decide to continue his rant. Again, that's not your choice, it's totally his choice and the consequences are clear and severe.

If the second flag is necessary ( that second one you carry, but rarely ever use) throw it without any additional adrenalin or emotion. Once it's thrown, the coach who's earned it is gone. He is no longer a part of the contest you are officiating. All your dealings and discussions should be with either game management or the designated replacement head coach. Any and all conversing with the disqualified coach is a MISTAKE. If he requires instructions on what he must do, or where he must go, give them to game management of his replacement and let them relay the details to the disqualified coach.

[sloth]

I think the ongoing case in Texas means that we have to enforce the rule book as written (in dealing with non-players on the field). To not do so opens us up to legal action for neglect based on not following the guidlines set down by the NFHS.

[Jim D]

I think your USC on the coach was reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. His reply, while no doubt facinating, means nothing - he should know better.

At this point the lines of communication between you and the coach are fine. You called a penalty and explained it to the coach. He understood the call and offered his disagrement. You're communicating perfectly. The problem comes when anger gets in the way and you stop listening to each other.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ajmc

When is the bridge burned is a question only you can answer. Most experienced officials realize, and accept, that coaching can be an emotional experience the often produces flashes of over reaction. The key can be in your ability to recognize a flash, as an emotional outburst, ignore "flashes" as much as possible and differentiate between flashes and flames.

However, when a flash smolders and builds into an enduring flame, the only way to deal with it is to extinguish the flame. You might try a simple approach, advising the coach that you've heard his complaint and understand it, so there's no good reason to keep repeating it, and if you're really in an understanding mood, offer a final, "Coach, that's enough", but if the flame continues a flag becomes necessary and appropriate.

When you can satisfy yourself that you've provided ample opportunity for the coach to take a different approach, yet he has decided to continue arguing, he has earned any flag(s) he gets. The fault is NOT yours, it is entirely on him.

After the 1st flag, if you're not the referee walk away. If you are the referee, give the appropriate signal and turn away from the offending coach. Unless he's a complete fool, he will recognize the flag as having sawed off the limb he has chosen to walk out on, and should stop acting like a child. Thankfully, that is most often the case but every now and then a coach will decide to continue his rant. Again, that's not your choice, it's totally his choice and the consequences are clear and severe.

If the second flag is necessary ( that second one you carry, but rarely ever use) throw it without any additional adrenalin or emotion. Once it's thrown, the coach who's earned it is gone. He is no longer a part of the contest you are officiating. All your dealings and discussions should be with either game management or the designated replacement head coach. Any and all conversing with the disqualified coach is a MISTAKE. If he requires instructions on what he must do, or where he must go, give them to game management of his replacement and let them relay the details to the disqualified coach.

No tolerance. Over-exuberance (coming onto the field) once is free. The second is five yards. The third and subsequent is 15. Period.

If a wing runs into someone not where they belong, it's 15. Period.

A coach can disagree, but if I can hear him as the WH, I expect the wing to take care of it quickly. If I continue to hear it from the middle, I have to get involved, and that usually ends up as USC.

We (HS officials) don't work the NFL or high level NCAA. The field is an extension of the classroom and the coaches should be better examples.