putting up with lippy players...

[GoodScout]

My favorite is always to say to the head coach: "Coach, No. 54 is getting a little out of hand out there. Do you want to talk to him or would you prefer I just penalize him 15 yards?"

Player gets replaced and gets a butt-chewing on the sideline. 100% of the time. Never fails to solve the problem.

[ajmc]

I've got no problem with the concept of involving a coach, or allowing him first crack at disciplining a player who has become lippy, but suggesting officials, "don't have any right to vocally discipline them" goes way too far.

I'm not talking about dressing a player down or lengthy lectures, but the decision what to say, and when to choose a corrective comment over a USC flag is a decision made entirely by the covering official, as he alone decides circumstances dictate.

A player's parents and coach get to decide what constitutes acceptable comments a player makes to them, as the standard as to what is acceptable dialogue directed to an official is set exclusively by that official.

The responsibility for maintaining civility and control of a game rests with officials alone, as do the tactics we decide to employ to accomplish those objectives. Players must respect the authority given to officials as the adult supervisors and monitors of the civility of the game. Especially at the HS level that respect must be maintained as directly and necessary, with as little disruption, as deemed appropriate for each circumstance.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

My favorite is always to say to the head coach: "Coach, No. 54 is getting a little out of hand out there. Do you want to talk to him or would you prefer I just penalize him 15 yards?"

Player gets replaced and gets a butt-chewing on the sideline. 100% of the time. Never fails to solve the problem.

Damn, I should have used that last night. But the lippy players in question were from the other sideline.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

My favorite is always to say to the head coach: "Coach, No. 54 is getting a little out of hand out there. Do you want to talk to him or would you prefer I just penalize him 15 yards?"

Player gets replaced and gets a butt-chewing on the sideline. 100% of the time. Never fails to solve the problem.

I agree. It's important that we don't tell the coach that he needs to or should take the kid out of the game though. If we phrase it like that, and the coach takes the player out then any goof up by his sub will be our fault in the coach's mind because we "made" him make a substitution. Refs who say something like "coach, either you take him out or .... " are handling it wrong.