White Hats

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by waltjp

When a decision is needed I'll explain the options to the captains while facing the captain's bench so the coach can hear our conversation. I'll also have the wing official relay the choices to the coach. I'll then ask the captain to look at his coach.

The coach will hear, "3rd and 14 or 4th and 3?"

Respect is a two way street, and I've found that sometimes the best friend you will find on a football field (outside your crewmates) is Team Captains. They have been selected for that position and by that selection have earned OUR respect.

NF:2-32-5-c designates the Captain as the team representative during, "Penalty decisions following a foul".

On non complicated or obvious options, after giving a preliminary signal towards the offended sideline, I explain options to the Captain in the simplest, clearest terms (like 3rd & 14 or 4th & 3). I give him a reasonable opportunity to think about it, which may include looking to his coach for guidance.

If he should make what I consider a bad choice, I'll assume I wasn't clear enough in my explanation and go over the options again, hopefully clearer. If he wants help or advice I'll allow him to look to his sideline for help, but I give him the respect he has earned to make the judgment.

When it's a complicated decision or situation, I'll steer the Captain to a place for my explanation that what I say can be overheard by his sideline. Again, the decision as to whether or not he needs, or wants, assistance in making the call is his to make, not mine.

I've never had a problem with a coach hearing my explanations, when they needed to be heard, and I've found Captains, who have been treated with respect, to be really helpful when situations start to turn brown.