Does A Screaming Coach Really Matter?

 

As officials we often see players, coaches, spectators, and other officials at their very best--and their very worst.  Today I want us to consider coaches and how they treat their players and leave the other areas for a discussion at another time.  

As an official we are tasked with maintaining order on a court during a match but we also see (and hear) coaches as they interact with their players--and sometimes this behavior is questionable at best and appalling at worst.  Its always a joy to work with a coach and players where the coach maintains the personal integrity that is required of their position and treats their players with the respect and dignity that they deserve.   As a parent, I also respect the fact that parents have given that coach the authority over their son or daughter--and expect him to honor that privilege...

As officials, there is very little we can do about abusive and unethical behavior by a coach in their interaction with a player--but it happens more times than we would like to admit...  Just this week I listened as a coach berated his entire time with vulgar, crude, unethical, and evil words that should never be uttered to another human being.   If I had been the parent of one of these players I guarantee you that he would never play another point for that coach.

So, what do we do?   First, if it is illegal and violates a rule, then we code it.   If not, there's not much we can do except maintain a higher standard of ethics when we are around that coach and second, pray that the Lord protects those kids from his abusive behavior.  This is serious business when we are dealing with the lives and upbringing of young people so let's all do our best to see that we give our kids the very best...

There's an old saying that says "the proof is in the pudding" and that is absolutely true with coaches.  The quality of their ethics and program will always manifest itself in the way they conduct themselves with others and in the play and lives of their players.  

Let's hold to a higher standard and trust the Lord for the results...