Coach's Lounge

[Salty]

Originally Posted by solid [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Try to be on good terms with the refs and introduce yourself and shake hands with them before the game. Most referees are good people who like and take an interest in kids just like you. And just like you, they want a fair game for both sides. Rarely, you may find a truly one-sided official. But expect them to make some calls that you do not agree with. In these cases, you may actually be wrong, or the ref may have made the wrong call, since no-one is perfect. Players and coaches make mistakes, and so do the refs. Basketball is not a perfect game. Learn to live with it and teach your players to adjust to the officiating and "play over" bad calls. Most refs will talk and respond to you if you treat them with respect and sometimes you can even throw in a little humor. But you may be in for a really long night if you have a ref who believes you are trying to "show him up". Then instead of focusing on calling a fair game, he changes his focus to "show you who’s the boss". Also, be patient with young, new referees.

Be aware of your number of team fouls. If you only have 4 or 5, you may have to foul quickly so that you are over the limit (7) and can send the opponent to the free-throw line. If the difference in the score is only one possession, I would just play very aggressively… if the ref calls the foul, that’s fine. If not, we may come up with a steal or force a turnover with our aggressive play.

Teach your players to adjust to the officiating and "play over" bad calls. Most refs will talk and respond to you if you treat them with respect and sometimes you can even throw in a little humor. But you may be in for a really long night if you have a ref who believes you are trying to "show him up".

Then instead of focusing on calling a fair game, he changes his focus to "show you who’s the boss". Also, be patient with young, new referees.