In the Friend at Court there is a Code of Conduct that all officials should abide by--and with much of our current focus on coaches, perhaps we should also have a COACH'S CODE OF CONDUCT.
If this were possible, here are my suggestions:
* Always be truthful.
* Always treat others (players, other coaches, fans, and officials) as you would like to be treated.
* Treat all officials with respect. Remember we are all also adults and can actually read, think, and articulate on our own.
* Do not ever publicly demean an official. Screaming and yelling might be a crowd pleaser but is not acceptable in personal dealings on a tennis court.
* Remember that officials are trained and are there to do the best job possible.
* Always contact the referee when there is a change in your schedule. We are not mind readers.
* Remember to thank the officials after a match is over. This goes a long way with officials.
These are just a few suggestions. We would welcome your thoughts and comments.
7 comments:
They already have a Code of Conduct and here it is...
ITA Coaches shall:
Behave in such a way that they shall bring credit to their profession, and shall exhibit professionalism in all of their words and actions.
Honor all professional relationships with their colleagues, and shall treat their colleagues with dignity and respect.
Act in full accordance with institutional, conference and national governing body rules, and shall report any violation of governing body rules.
Put the welfare of their student-athletes first while maintaining professional relationships with them, and encourage the student-athlete to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.
Remember that collegiate tennis players are student-athletes and not make demands upon them that are inconsistent with institutional, conference and national governing body rules, or in any way compromise the student-athletes’ academic pursuits.
Address all concerns with institutional, conference and national governing body rules, as well as all concerns with colleagues or umpires, through the proper channels, and never through the media or rumor or innuendo.
Be honest and forthright during the recruiting process, and refrain from making negative or derogatory statements about another coach or institution.
Refrain from employing unfair influence or otherwise taking advantage of individual or collective voting power (conference, region, etc.) or position to further team, conference, or regional representation.
Treat all match umpires in a professional and respectable manner.
Failure to adhere to the ITA Code of Ethics may jeopardize the coach’s standing within the ITA. Violations should be reported in writing to the ITA Ethics and Infractions Committee
About half the coachs I run into follow most of the ITA code. The other half watch too many basketball games and think they have to "work" the ref as a part of their job duties. What I have noticed is that as the coaches rhetoric and barbs with the ref increases, thier player's performance suffers in direct proportion.
I chaired a match where the head coach totally lost his composure with me on a close call. His behavior was a total embarrasment. After the match, one of his players apologized to me for the coach's behavior. And he lost the match!
My standard policy is that a coach or player can always talk to me and make their case but they are not permitted to yell, demean, or swear at me. I expect them to give me the same respect that I give to them and its worked well over the years. Of course there are those who violate the policy and get coded accordingly.
My view is that tennis is neither the debate society or the drama club. Once I make a call, particularly a line call, there is basically no force on heaven or earth that will make me see something differently than what I saw. So pleading thier case is basically a waste of everyone's time, especially when it turns into a dramatic appeal to how blind, bias or stupid that I am. I guess they could politely discuss a point of law on the rules, but 95% of the blow back I get relates to issues of fact (ie, was the ball in or out, was it double bounce or not).
I think it is only fair to listen to the coach or the player state his/her case. But only briefly. Then we resume the match. To deny them a brief response is rude and pours gasoline on the fire! And I have no problem allowing them to have the last word as they walk away mumbling about how poor an official I am.
I think baseball umpires are the absolute worst examples of following a manager or player toward the dugout, mouthing all the way there, and then looking for a reason to eject them! They are pathetic.
I hope none of us engage in that type of baiting behavior.
Speaking of CODE OF CONDUCT - don't we have a code of conduct?
#1 Don't wear shirts that are too tight...
#2 Don't wear shorts that are too tight - especially MEN...
#3 Always agree with your line dummie if you ask them for a call...
#4 Eat as much as you can if the tournament provides - because you are obviously not getting food anywhere else...
#5 If you committ to a match - DO IT!
#6 Never talk about anyone ESPECIALLY if you don't have ALL the facts...
#7 HAVE FUN - this is TENNIS not a DENTIST appointment!
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