Why not acknowledge a coach

[reed.greg]

"Coach, give me the benefit of the doubt, lets talk about it at half." This has worked well when a coach requests, nicely, to visit about a difference of opinion. The level of play you coach at will have a big impact on the referee's response to your request. Younger youth ages, where you have less experienced referees, will get you no where and you are better to save your input to later. With high school age or higher level of play, hence more experienced refs, your approach has the weight of response. I ignore screamers, dissenters, someone who has no control of their sideline and someone who belittles his players. But, they do get a hand down motion, no fingers involved, to say "I hear you." I have recently been on the touchline waiting for a team to produce a throw-in and the coach stood behind me and acosted me verbally. I ignored and he got worse, I learned to acknowledge, but not give in. Your intent is noble but pick your battles, the best refs know when the game is unsafe, etc....