Some coaches just dont get it!

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by whitehat

Then in OT, his team is on Defense. During a timeout he comes out to the huddle and begins sarcastically whinning and yelling loudly about how "they " have a 12 guys inthe huddle right now, (A only had 11) and "WE are going to flollow the rules and only have 11, UNBELIEVABLE....ya da ya da..." I warned him and almost flagged him again but i held back knowng a 15yd UC penalty in OT would basically decide the game and do so against his kids who were, despite their 4 yr old tantrum throwing coach, playing clean hard football.

That must've been something if the things he said to his own team in their own huddle about one or more officials could be UC! Seriously, I have trouble imagining such as flag-worthy. Was he facing you or another official, or was he just talking loud and overheard?

I've always considered things said about an official or an opponent or a bystander but not directed at that person to be a completely legal, and in some circumstances even a good practice. Even if it's totally insincere, it's a way a coach can boost his players' morale -- cursing the officials, a gust of wind, whatever -- by saying they're just unlucky victims and are playing fine. The next day he might look at film and say, "You guys played lousy, the officials were right,...", but at the moment, the right thing to do is to put the blame elsewhere so the players don't get discouraged.

As to his other tantrum throwing, consider the possibility that he's a vicar for his team. He may tell his players that he wants discipline on their part, that they're not to curse the opponents or officials or teammates, and that he will be the "bad guy" who will rant, rave, and draw USC penalties in their stead, saving them from embarrassment. So rather than serving as an example for his team, he's offering himself as an anode or a rodeo clown. I'm not saying that's the case with him, just that it could be the case with some coaches.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

That must've been something if the things he said to his own team in their own huddle about one or more officials could be UC! ...
I've always considered things said about an official or an opponent or a bystander but not directed at that person to be a completely legal, and in some circumstances even a good practice.

Bull. A coach saying things about the officials when he full well knows the officials are within earshot is being a passive aggressive coward. The "Oh I wasn't talking to you" line is garbage.

The huddle is not a sanctuary. Act like a jerk and don't be surprised if you get held accountable. Gaming the officials is not going to win you very many points in my book.

[jaybird]

It seems like you ended up deciding the game. If you called the foul like you should have then that team would have lost. You didn't call it and they won.

You are joking, right?
This sounds like a statement that a coach or fan would say.

[jaybird]

Robert Goodman is by far the dumbest person here...do you guys see what he wrote?

I don't know about "the dumbest person", there is at least one other that would get some votes, but what he wrote could qualify as some of the "dumbest statements".
Be prepared for a lengthy rebuttal.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by jaybird

I don't know about "the dumbest person", there is at least one other that would get some votes, but what he wrote could qualify as some of the "dumbest statements".
Be prepared for a lengthy rebuttal.

I think he's trying to make a point.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I think he's trying to make a point.

Which would be?

[whitehat]

Well, at least we are generating some discussion about coaches conduct. I hope is it is constructive and helpful. Don't want it to digress into something other than that.

Ajmc, thats good advice. I have not considered the matter much more. Had another game today. Varsity back to back Friday night Sat. afternoon.

Oh yes, flagged a coach this afternoon for disagreeing with a DPI call. He came out on the field about 10 yards, and yelled something about horse excrement and so he got a UC flag. I just shake my head and chuckle sometimes.

Ldub...oh nevermind....

[Texas Aggie]

Constant harassment is grounds for a report in our state. I suggest you do that or find a way to do it if none is readily available.

I almost never have problems with specific complaints, but I never tolerate constant harassment.

[jemiller]

I get what you're saying about the coaches. I had a guy that I've had about 3 times before with about 3 different teams. He always was a jerk, and continues to be. The problem is that he makes his kids become jerks too. I got tired of the whining and finally flagged him for it this weekend. I summed it up as whining fatigue. The accumulation was just too much. He did calm down when I suggested that a 2nd one he would be watching the rest of the game from the bus. It felt so good I wish that I would've done it years before..... First varsity flag in 30 years!

[ajmc]

When you think of it, there's really only two ways coaches cross the line; most often it's a case of emotions getting the best of them and a "look", a brief comment or an explanation will eliminate the problem and avoid the necessity of a flag. Of course if the emotions got too high, the wrong thing was said or the protest lasted "too long", a flag imight be necessary to put everything back in proper perspective.

Then there's the coach who wants to create a scene, it can be for any number of reasons; he might delude himself into thinking it will make a difference, he's trying to intimidate, coerce or take control or he's trying to show off infront of the players, spectators or whomever.

This is a guy whose not making an emotional mistake and will not be shamed into behaving properly by a look, a comment or even the best explanation. This is a guy who wants to wrest control of the game away from you and he will continue to try, until you make him stop . When you decide you're dealing with one of these characters, the longer you wait to take firm control, the longer the problem will worsen. Attempts to exercise reason, tolerance, benefit of the doubt will only serve to, "feed the troll'.

The secret is learning to tell one type coach from the other as soon as possible.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by jaybird

Be prepared for a lengthy rebuttal.

Why? I've always considered things said about someone but not directed at that person to be proper decorum, and in some circumstances even a good practice. I don't understand why Robert would want to respond.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Why? I've always considered things said about someone but not directed at that person to be proper decorum, and in some circumstances even a good practice. I don't understand why Robert would want to respond.

Nicely done.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by jaybird

You are joking, right?
This sounds like a statement that a coach or fan would say.

He said "I warned him and almost flagged him again but i held back knowng a 15yd UC penalty in OT would basically decide the game and do so against his kids who were, despite their 4 yr old tantrum throwing coach, playing clean hard football"

So it seems as if he was going to call the foul but didn't want to "basically decide the game" by making the call. Team A would have most likely lost if he called the foul. That means Team B would have most likely won.

So if someone is worried about costing one team the game by calling a game deciding foul isn't he costing the other team the game by not calling it? Why doesn't he just call the fouls and not worry about which team is getting helped or hurt?

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by jaybird

You are joking, right?
This sounds like a statement that a coach or fan would say.

I pretty sure I remember reading a similar statement in Referee magazine recently. While I personally think it's a logical fallacy, I understand the sentiment.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Bull. A coach saying things about the officials when he full well knows the officials are within earshot is being a passive aggressive coward. The "Oh I wasn't talking to you" line is garbage.

The huddle is not a sanctuary. Act like a jerk and don't be surprised if you get held accountable. Gaming the officials is not going to win you very many points in my book.

I had a guy do this last week. He called a timeout and came out to hold his conference between the hash marks. He started out by addressing me in this passive-aggressive (read: cowardly) manner -- by saying very loudly from his huddle "I've been really nice about it, but the penalty ratio..."

That's as far as he got. I told him to address his players or get off the field and then I turned my back and walked away from him.

Good sportsmanship is expected. Doing what some of these coaches do isn't acceptable and I simply won't tolerate it. They can give me any rating they like, too, it doesn't change how I officiate.