Coaches getting penalties

[laxfan25]

Speaking of teaching....is there any kind of training done, or in the works where officials from different conferences get together for extensive training sessions?

As a matter of fact there is. US Lacrosse and the COC have a national certified clinicians program where officials from all over the country get together in a "train the trainer" program. It used to be an entire weekend at Texas A&M under the direction of John Hill. They just had another large session at the convention in Philadelphia put on by Dave Seidman.
At the one I attended in 2003 there was a gentleman there from the GRLC. The goal of course is to try to establish a level of uniformity in officiating across the country, and while it may not be perfect, the bar has been raised considerably over the past decade.
We are constantly on the lookout for fresh blood (not on the field, of course. That player would have to leave the game until the blood and blleding were taken care of. ) and I encourage any of the USLIA players to consider taking up the avocation after graduation, or even before - doing high school games when possible.
Based on comments from players that I hear during the game - most of them think they're refs already!

[culax]

Back to the question of coaches getting penalties, I have never been warned during my 4 years in this league. On 1 or 2 occasions a ref has warned a player to quiet down. That is always appropriate.

Back in the early and mid 1980's Butch West, an NCAA DI lacrosse ref, would take his son and I to the games he was reffing. We would tag along with him to Towson, Loyola, Hopkins, Maryland, the Naval Academy, Delaware, Georgetown, etc. and get to watch from the sidelines. DI coaches could really get worked up back then. The comments, questions and suggestions that I occasionally offer pale in comparison.

I understand that there is no comparison between DI and club lacrosse. I also understand that refs are human, and like coaches, make mistakes. As a volunteer coach, I don't have to worry about keeping a head coaching job (and DI coaching salary) on the basis of my win-loss record. But at the same time, I am still an advocate for my players. In the heat of the moment I have gotten frustrated and sometimes felt the need to advocate.

Do any of our message board officials ever give warnings? Any comments would be appreciated.

[laxfan25]

Absolutely! I rarely will throw a flag the first time, unless the comment was particularly egregious. Most officials will climb the ladder; a warning to "stop the music", a conduct foul (30 secs or loss of possession) if loud griping continues, followed by a USC.
However, if the objection is quite strident and delivered in an inappropriate tone we may get to the top of the ladder in one step.

[KnoxVegas]

Frankly, I believe that some refs are intimidated by the game knowledge some of our coaches possess.

I have never been warned by a ref in the GRLC. I do get on them but at times it is like poking a tiger, 'cept these tigers have yellow flags.

[grinderpete]

The other day I got told, before any warning, that if I said another thing that I would be ejected. I had to withhold my laughter.

[hurstlax 39]

I get warnings all the time!!!

Most that have seen me know that I am slightly loud on the sidelines and if need be will have chats with the refs but no flags as of yet

I did have a ref ask me during fall if i wanted the flag ... sort of felt like he was daring me to open my mouth but instead I turned and quielt mumbled my anger to my players, but it was real hard to not drop a sarcasm bomb on him!!

I think refs like anyone else respond best to honey than vinegar ... you show em your trying to help them out by controlling your players and letting them do their job and they will do the same for you.

[laxfan25]

I think refs like anyone else respond best to honey than vinegar ... you show em your trying to help them out by controlling your players and letting them do their job and they will do the same for you.

Especially considering the oath you took as Coach, per the NCAA Rulebook ;

The head coach shall act in a courteous manner and also shall endeavor in every way to achieve the same from team members. The head coach also shall be in control of and be responsible for the actions of any and all persons officially connected with his or her institution.
Coaches shall assist the officials in keeping the game under control. It shall be their duty, upon the request of an official, to control effectively actions of spectators not in conformity with standards of proper conduct.

Given the time, I will always briefly respond to a courteous request for an explanation, if I feel that the coach truly is interested. I'll tell them exactly what I saw (which may not always agree with THEIR viewpoint).
I had a game the other night where a shot was rolling off the endline. Players from both teams were surrounding the ball, and I was just about to whistle and give it back to the attack. At the last moment, the attackman swept the ball to the side and it rolled out - but he had added the impetus to move it in that direction. As I went upfield, the coach asked "How was that not a shot?" Since I was standing on the endline I had a better view than he at the midfield, and I explained what happened. He didn't totally agree, but accepted it and the game continued on.

I think you'll find that most officials are interested in maintaining good communication with the coaches - as hurst says - a lot has to do with your approach.