putting up with lippy players...

[waltjp]

Mr. Captain, please have a talk with number 55 so we don't have any problems.

[OverAndBack]

Or, you could wait until the kid misses a tackle and then say, "You gotta be kidding me, you couldn't make that tackle? The guy was right there!"

I know, I know, high road.

[ajmc]

How much lip to take from any player is a purely personal decision, just like how much lip you will listen to from your own children. You are not expected, or required, to take ANY.

Considering the emotion of the game you might consider the circumstances and allow one comment to pass, with only a stern warning that such behavior is unacceptable, which is best delivered person to person using your "little" voice. Often the reaction to this advice goes a long way in determining if that player continues to play.

The important thing is that it is not a debate, or even a two-way conversation, and the player must understand and accept that he is not speak to you in that manner again, about anything.

[HossHumard]

The culture of football (vies a vie attitudes to officials) isn't perfect, but it's miles ahead of hockey for example, and part of the reason they have a much harder time finding and retaining officials. I'll get the odd lip from kids on the field (all 110 yards of it), but coaches are still the bigger problem.

As I tell our newbies, "don't have rabbit ears where you're near the bench, but if it's getting to be too much (i.e: affecting your game), bang 'em!". It's amazing what the flag and the 10 can do to shut up a bench.

After all, we have an unlimited number of flags...and sometimes quietly telling a coach that will bring the peace and quiet you need to do a good job.

Having said that, when I was a player (waaaaaaay back when) it WAS different. I remember getting an OC from Abe Kovnats (famous CFL official of the 50's and 60's) in High School for merely shaking my head about a call he made.....how times have changed!

Thanks...and I'll go back to my rocking chair now..time for "Matlock"!

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by HossHumard

The culture of football (vies a vie attitudes to officials) isn't perfect, but it's miles ahead of hockey for example, and part of the reason they have a much harder time finding and retaining officials. I'll get the odd lip from kids on the field (all 110 yards of it), but coaches are still the bigger problem.

As I tell our newbies, "don't have rabbit ears where you're near the bench, but if it's getting to be too much (i.e: affecting your game), bang 'em!". It's amazing what the flag and the 10 can do to shut up a bench.

After all, we have an unlimited number of flags...and sometimes quietly telling a coach that will bring the peace and quiet you need to do a good job.

Having said that, when I was a player (waaaaaaay back when) it WAS different. I remember getting an OC from Abe Kovnats (famous CFL official of the 50's and 60's) in High School for merely shaking my head about a call he made.....how times have changed!

Thanks...and I'll go back to my rocking chair now..time for "Matlock"!

My hockey officiating friends in Ontario tell me that Bob Dylan is in the house.