SCENARIO
In an ITA dual match the coach was irate over the lack of overrules by the chair official. During a changeover he approached the chair and began to verbally abuse and chastise the chair official.
The referee for the match was standing close to the chair and could hear the confrontation between the coach and the chair official. As the REFEREE, at what point do you intervene or do you intervene at all?
6 comments:
I WOULD HOPE THAT ALL REFEREES WOULD STEP IN (SIGHT) RIGHT AWAY! No one should treat your hired Officials in a less than professional manner.
It is expected that coaches will "stand up" for the their players... BUT, when they take it to the next unnecessary level - the Referee should step in!
This is the main reason I AGREE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A REFEREE AND SIX CHAIRS!!!!
This way the Chair can focus and continue the match.
BACO
Gee sounds like a TCU match.
just shake my head, understand the coaches have a job to do, but they can not see everything sitting in their chair 1 ft off the ground and see a call across the court. Chair officials are not perfect, if you think you are then you might as well quit.
So far have been lucky with coaches, but think they chew just too chew, in order to show their players they are looking out for them, but many times it is for show.
As for when to step in for a referee, would be when it starts to disrupt play or gets personal.
The ITA rules are clear that coaches are to behave in an "exemplary" manner. While I agree that coaches are protecting their players and it isn't usually personal, this isn't basketball where the coaches get away with a lot. As referee, I would not hesitate to give a coach's warning when the line was crossed. Where that line is crossed is simply a matter of making a good judgment.
Most times the Referee is in another chair on a different match. The chair umpire should have the balls to step in and issue a coaches code of conduct warning when warranted. If not, then maybe they shouldn't be assigned to work ITA matches.
Some schools, like Baylor and Texas, use the Referee to stroll among the courts during play. In these situations, I've never seen the Referee step in to help an official. The one time i did witness a coach berating a chair umpire, the Referee sighted with the coach and had the chair umpire removed for no valid reason.
If I were the referee and standing there listening to a coach verbally abuse an official I would step in without a doubt. Sometimes I think they abuse officials a bit too much anyway.
But then, I don't always work at elite programs...
Post a Comment