Working The Refs - What Works, What Doesn't, What's Out Of Bounds?

[JokersWild24]

I heard Cris Carter talking about working the refs in NFL games on my drive in to work this morning and thought it was a good offseason topic for basketball.

 

The discussion came up because Matt Kemp of the Dodgers put the umps on blast in the national media.

 

Carter shared some of his tips for working the refs, and honestly, some were downright good.

 

Carter said he'd do the following:

 

1. The game officials would be listed in the team's scouting report. He'd refer to all of them by first name (and he claims never anything worse than their number), but generally tried to stay on first name basis. He said that went such a long way.

 

2. He would say things before the game or during downtime like, "hey (ref's name), I'm going to make an awesome sideline catch tonight and we'll both be on TV. I know you'll call it right".

 

3. He said he complained to a ref about running into him while running a pattern and the ref said, "you are the NFL athlete, not me, you should be able to avoid me".

 

 

What works and what doesn't when working the refs?

 

What is out of bounds in your book?

[mcpapa]

CC is almost always very entertaining. I generally try to catch Mike and Mike on Tuesdays from 8-10 because he's there.

[callwhatyousee]

I like the comment of using an official by name if you are a "player/coach".

 

One out of bounds may be when you are the parent and you use the official by name. Just because you know the officials name, don't help an unruly crowed by giving them additional ammo by using his/her name.

[sportsmaniac]

Don't ever accuse the ref of missing a call on purpose or that he is cheating. That will always get you in hot water! You can question a ref's call and his competency even, but if you question his integrity then you are "out of bounds"!

 

Also, questioning a football referee and questioning a basketball referee are completely different. There is a lot more time between plays in a football game and it allows for more conversation. In basketball the game is moving a lot quicker.

[PP1]

I also find that if a ref made an obvious blunder (granting a time-out to the defensive team, calling a charge and then inbounding the ball without going to the scorer's able, calling a player out of bounds then looking down and seeing two feet between them and the OB line). Things that they are embarrassed about. They usually look at the coach and say "sorry." If you as a coach smile back and say something like "No big deal. You're doing fine," then they give you a lot more lee-way to question calls later on in the game.

 

If I get a technical, it is usually not because I was screaming my head off, but more that I was annoying them the whole game so they hit me with it in the late 3rd quarter. I usually apologize afterwards. The next time I have them, they usually are pretty cool.

 

I think the trick is to never cuss or actually call them a name. Then you can say "I did not use profanity. I did not call you a name and I was in the coaching box."

[jahearme]

Here's my take as a former basketball official: You can ask questions (in a respectful manner) all night long. You can question my judgment (in a respectful manner) all night long. The tipping point is when you start questioning me on the rules. The amount of coaches out there at the high school level that don't know the rules baffles me. And then they want to question you on those rules?!?! That's what drove me mad as an official.

I'll also say this; when some coaches questioned me, I listened more than when other coaches questioned me. I'm not going to say any names, but the opinion of some coaches was more weighted in my book than the opinion of other coaches. Why? Because some coaches will question EVERY SINGLE PLAY. That gets real old, real fast.

jmo

[PP1]

Why? Because some coaches will question EVERY SINGLE PLAY. That gets real old, real fast.

jmo

 

And that is usually what gets me in trouble. I will never scream, insult, or show-up an official (BTW I am still not sure what "showing up" means), but I will respectfully annoy the crud out of some refs sometimes. Especially one from the 8th region that I think is lost. But I'll never tell him that.

[Clyde]

To the question of does working an official help you. It can. Depends on how you do it. If you're fake and come across as trying to get a call then it may backfire. If you're respectful, do not lose your mind, call me by my name sometimes, yes it may help. We're human.

 

As to the point of coaches knowing rules, that , too, can impact an official. I had one coach who I knew knew the rules. If he questioned me on a rule there was a good chance I kicked it. Those coaches actually force you to not lose focus (which can happen). Does that impact an official subconsciously? Possibly so.

[plantmanky]

In wrestling its always fun. Love it when the official ask, "OK Coach what color is the rule book this year" Better have the right answer.

[LCDAWGS19]

I find that if you don't personalize it, you're generally OK. I can say "That's a terrible call" and get away with it. If I say "You're terrible", I'm gonna be making an early trip to the bus.

[Clyde]

I find that if you don't personalize it, you're generally OK. I can say "That's a terrible call" and get away with it. If I say "You're terrible", I'm gonna be making an early trip to the bus.

 

For most refs that is correct. That's the line.

[LCDAWGS19]

For most refs that is correct. That's the line.

 

It has been so far. lol

[tcjkbt]

I know one high school ref who told a constantly whining coach (the ref worked the sideline) that the coach had nothing......that the ref was married once and that the coach's whining was nothing like what the ref had endured from his ex-wife. Supposedly, that quited the coach.

[JokersWild24]

For most refs that is correct. That's the line.

 

That's it? Really?

 

I'm honestly kind of surprised. I thought the "magic words" wouldn't even be in the realm of that.

 

What I'd been guessing it would take for someone to get run would probably be a lifetime ban.

[Clyde]

That's it? Really?

 

I'm honestly kind of surprised. I thought the "magic words" wouldn't even be in the realm of that.

 

Let me be clear. I was saying that there's a difference between "Clyde, that's a terrible call" and "Clyde, you're terrible."

 

Magic words, as you say, are not automatic for every official. You'll get different levels of tolerance. Some will let it slide if it's said quietly and is not personal.