This article is primarily for wing officials interacting with the sideline coaches. How do we respond when a coach complains about a partner’s decision?
You are the guardian of the sideline. Do not allow a coach to yell onto the field at one of the middle officials (R, U, or BJ) or across the field at the opposite wing. If the coach loudly expresses his displeasure by yelling onto the field at an official, you need to shut it down immediately! Say, “Coach, I’m right here. What is your concern?” If the coach persists, give him one more clear warning. If he continues to yell, then award him with an unsportsmanlike conduct flag. (By the way, do not allow coaches to yell across the field at the other coaching staff. Shut that down immediately and flag it if it persists.)
If the coach attempts to communicate with a middle official, remind the coach he can speak with you, and you can relay the coach’s complaint or question to the other official.
Start the conversation with, “Coach, what’s your concern?” If the coach’s agitation results from a rule misinterpretation, you can immediately provide a clear, concise, and correct explanation. Most times the coach is agitated about a judgment call. Don’t stop or slow down the game to get clarification from your partner. If the coach wants an explanation, tell the coach you’ll get it as soon as possible, and then follow through at the earliest opportunity. The coach is usually just venting and you’re the closest official. Remember, most coach/official interaction is the coach complaining, and we need to adopt a listening tone.
The coach may chew on you because he’s displeased with your partner’s judgment. You’re on the sideline and you’re an easy target. Three of the worst tongue-lashings I’ve received on a sideline were because a coach was unhappy with my partner’s call. Ask questions to understand the root cause of the coach’s irritation. If the coach persists, work to de-escalate the conflict. Remember, you don’t have to tolerate public, profane, persistent, or personal abuse. We need to listen and ask questions until we understand the coach’s concern, and then we need to help the coach move on.
“Coach, I understand your concern”
“Coach, I understand why you are upset, you’ve communicated it with me. We need to move on”
“Coach, I’ve heard your complaint, that’s enough” (or “no more”)
Many times, we won’t have first-hand knowledge of the action the coach is complaining about. We will be viewing our primary coverage area, so we often won’t have a good look at the engagement in question. Never say, “That’s not my call” or “That’s my partner’s call.” You can say, “My partner had a good look,” or “My partner was in a good position to rule on that play.”
If the action is not in your primary coverage area, but you were able to witness it (for example, a lineman false starts or encroaches on your partner’s side of the field, or your partner passed on a holding call in your line-of-sight), don’t provide your commentary of the play. “Yeah, coach, I see your point. I think you’re right.” Never betray a crew partner. Listen to the coach vent and then move on. If the coach requests an explanation, tell him you’ll get one as soon as possible.
Sometimes we can clearly see our partner swallowed his whistle and failed to properly adjudicate an action. You can tell the coach, “I understand your concern. I can speak with the other official and pass along your message.” Just don’t say, “I agree coach, he missed that one.”
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s).
4/10 from the B-40. A12 runs to the right and steps on the sideline at the B-35. B33 is then flagged for a late hit on A12.
- Team A will next snap the ball at the B-20.
- Team B will next snap the ball at the B-20.
Review Rules 5-1-3c, 9-4-3b, and 10-4-5b