Taken from a CrownRefs Facebook article, Feb 2, 2026. I’ve adapted some of his wording, replacing basketball-specific terminology and positions with their football equivalents.
One of the quickest ways an interaction with a coach goes sideways is when an official tries to convince them the call was right.
The moment you try to convince, you open the door to rebuttal. Now it’s no longer about the ruling; it’s an opinion exchange. And opinions never end well during a game.
Coaches are allowed to disagree. They’re allowed to be frustrated. They’re allowed to be disappointed.
You have to be okay with that.
When you’re not, that’s when officials start over-explaining, defending, and justifying, and that’s where control starts slipping.
Here’s what that looks like in real time:
The Convincing Trap
Coach: “That’s a foul! You’ve gotta call that!”
Wing official: “No it’s not, Coach. He didn’t even touch him.”
Coach: “Are you serious? It was right in front of you!”
Now you’re in it. Debate started. Volume goes up. Respect goes down.
Another common one:
Coach: “You guys have to be consistent. You’re not on the same page.”
Wing official: “Coach, we’re calling a good game and getting the plays right.”
Coach: “No you’re absolutely not.”
That road leads nowhere.
Why? Because convincing invites disagreement.
What Works Instead
The difference-maker is conviction, not persuasion.
Conviction sounds like:
• Calm
• Brief
• Rule-based
• Final
Example:
Coach: “The receiver put his hands on my player. That’s offensive pass interference.”
Wing official: “Coach, I agree he put his hands on your player, but I did not see him extend his arm and create separation. The receiver did not interfere with your player’s opportunity to catch or bat the pass.”
Understandable Rule-based definition. No debate. No defense. Game continues.
The Big Takeaway
• Convincing creates arguments
• Conviction creates clarity
• Clarity protects the game
Your job isn’t to win over the coach. Your job is to manage the environment.
Explain when it’s appropriate. Respond when it’s necessary. Move on when it’s done.
Stop trying to convince.
Quiz
SCHSref posted a similar play on refstripes.com/forum on Aug 10, 2026.
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer. (Choose all that apply.)
Try from the B-3. A12 is hit on the B-2 and fumbles. The ball is rolling parallel to the line of scrimmage on the B-2 when B36 muffs it into the end zone. B83 then bats the ball over the end line.
- The result of the play is a safety
- The result of the play is a touchback
- Team A may choose to snap the ball from the B-1 and attempt a try
- Team A may take the 1 point for the safety and enforce the penalty for B83’s illegal bat from the succeeding spot (the K-40)
Review Table 8-1 (Point Values, Successful Try) and Rules 4-1-1, 8-3-5, 8-3-9, 8-5-1, 9-7-2, and 10-4-6a