Ethics: those moral principles which guide our lives and our decision making.
Jesus Christ
The only infallible judge.
First, infallability is only true of one person and that is Jesus Christ. The word means "exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment, or pronouncements." Basically that is saying that He never erred in areas that we are called upon to make judgments regularly.
Since Jesus is not an option for us to use as an official, then coaches, players, and other officials must accept the fact that we make mistakes in matters of judgment (line calls, etc.) and pronouncements--on a regular basis. Our goal is to see things as clearly as possible and then make a correct pronouncement. If we make a mistake, then we make a mistake. Sinless perfection does not exist for a human being--or a tennis official.
Second, ETHICS is a huge issue for me when it relates to tennis. Players without officials must adhere to their system of ethics as they make calls and play their matches. The same is true for coaches and officials alike.
ETHICAL DILEMMA FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
Scenario: In an ITA match the coach of player A clearly witnessed a bad call by his player on a crucial point. The chair umpire upheld the out call. What should the coach do?
Note: After the match the coach told the referee that he clearly witnessed the bad call by his player so he was well aware of the fact.
I would enjoy hearing your ethical responses to the above dilemma...
5 comments:
In this case if the player (and coach) is cheating, and knows it- that is sad. Bad calls are bad calls no matter who makes them... Right is right and wrong is wrong. If this coach actually saw the player cheat the coach needs to speak up and show his/her players that winning a match by cheating is not part of the education process much less their program. Personally, I have seen coaches do this. Remember, that is why they are there - to get an education!
One more thing on the "judgement and Jesus" section - if you are the MODERATOR of this blog - why would you allow officials to pass judgement on others - in a public forum - many times things are said without CLEAR information? If I was a new official - I would not want any part of the DRAMA. Even if blasting others is interesting reading- is it a positive move for our officials?
Correct me if I am wrong Pastor- But, it seems like that is a clear mistake.
Players or umpires cannot turn to coaches or spectators to make calls. Likewise I would not think a coach could overrule his player TO THE OFFICIAL. Now, he may instruct his player to change the call just like he may insruct his player in strategy. That is between coach and player.
But if the coach said nothing to his player and then told the referee he knew it was a bad call, he makes himself look pretty small.
You should see some of the comments that I don't print. I try to be open to most though. Many times things are said in jest though.
Your scenario presumes the chair umpire is categorically in error, and now the coach is infallible, although both the player and the chair umpire agreed on the out call.
"Clearly witnessing" by coaches may be a glance across two courts on balls on the far sideline, so the coach saying a ball is in or out is not a standard of proof certainty, just a hypothetical to make an ethical point about cheating.
In my experience in college tennis officiating, I learned early that the only perfect calls in matches were made by people in the stands and coaches,
and if you let them influence your perception, you will have a miserable time as a chair umpire.
You will never be sure you are right and someone is always doubting you.
Finally, big time college tennis is about winning matches, beating conference rivals,
NCAA appearances, coaches and player resumes, contracts and bonuses and jobs,
which may come down to a line call on a big point in a big match.
Ethics or Pragmatics?
As a coach and a former official...the coach should overrule his player. It sends a statement that the integrity of the game and his team is paramount. That being said, this should be done in a way that does not show up the official in the chair...just me two cents.
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