I follow CrownRefs and Paul Diasparra on Facebook. Although their posts focus primarily on basketball officiating, I’ve found that many of the principles they discuss apply equally well to football. Over the next few weeks, I’d like to unpack some of Paul Diasparra’s posts and explore how those ideas can make us better football officials. I’ve adapted some of his wording, replacing basketball-specific terminology and positions with their football equivalents.
CrownRefs Facebook article, Jan 26, 2026 (Edited for clarity.)
One of the most quietly damaging habits in officiating is allowing coaches to talk to us during live play. It happens more than we like to admit, especially when a play is developing and a coach is standing right behind you saying things like:
“That’s holding!” (Or calling out any one of a dozen other fouls.)
“You have to protect my players!”
“You’ve gotta call that.”
Let’s be clear: that’s not communication; that’s an attempt to influence a decision in real time. And it’s happening at the exact moment you’re trying to process the action on the field. The play is hard enough to officiate without a voice in your ear steering you in a direction.
When officials allow this to go unchecked, it becomes normalized. Once it’s normalized, it becomes expected, and that’s when control starts slipping.
The game always comes first. Players and coaches can never place themselves above the game itself. Live-ball commentary from the sideline is a distraction, and distractions directly impact accuracy.
I had this exact situation recently. As soon as I heard the coach talking through the play behind me, I responded immediately: “Coach, please stop officiating in my ear. I would never coach in your ear.”
No escalation. No emotion. Just a clear boundary.
That’s the power of a timely response.
Clean, effective alternatives you can use:
• “Coach, dead ball only. I need to focus during live play.”
• “Coach, I’m not allowing distractions during a live ball.”
• “Coach, I would never distract you while coaching. Please don’t distract me while officiating.”
• “Coach, live ball is not the time.”
Each response:
- Protects your focus
- Defends the integrity of the play
- Sets a standard without confrontation
If we allow it, it becomes normalized. If we address it calmly and immediately, we protect the crew and the game.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
3/10 from the B-25. 1:35 remains on the clock in the fourth quarter. A13 runs and is downed inbounds at the B-23. A67 is flagged for holding.
- Team B must accept the penalty to request the game clock start on the snap
- Team B may decline the penalty (4/8 from the B-23) and request the game clock start on the snap
Review Rule 3-4-7