putting up with lippy players...

[waltjp]

Often, it's not what is said, it's how it is said.

[Bad Mood Risin]

When a player from a team that's comfortly ahead late in the game cries about wanting a flag, I just tell them that if I throw a flag I have to stop the clock, and his team is better served with the clock running.

"You want that clock to keep running, right?"

"Yes sir." is the typical conversation.

Obviously that is not a water tight remark, but it's always worked.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Bad Mood Risin

When a player from a team that's comfortly ahead late in the game cries about wanting a flag, I just tell them that if I throw a flag I have to stop the clock, and his team is better served with the clock running.

"You want that clock to keep running, right?"

"Yes sir." is the typical conversation.

Obviously that is not a water tight remark, but it's always worked.

Consider this one stolen!

[MJT]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Often, it's not what is said, it's how it is said.

Totally agree!!!!

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Often, it's not what is said, it's how it is said.

So very true!

[buckrog64]

Thanks for the comments. I was trying to differentiate between the varying arenas in which we find ourselves when officiating, whether it be football, basketball, baseball, wrestling or wherever. This sit. happened on the football field, was towards one end of the field and was loud and somewhat disrespectful. Chances are, it was heard only by the players on the field and maybe the chain crew. If the same question had been asked in the same manner on a basketball floor, I would have whacked him with a technical foul.

Believe me, he got put in his place without needing a flag and I didn't hear from him over the last three minutes of the game in which his team won. If someone politely asks for me to watch for holding, I'll give him the who, what, where, etc to try and deal with it. This was different, I used all the enforcement I needed for that particular moment. It was one of those 'how it was said' moments.