Abusing Officials Has to Stop, the Problem and Possible Solutions

"It's all the refs' fault." In the last fifty games I coached, I don't think the officials decided any. Maybe that's a function of level (middle school), but skill, teamwork, and effort decide almost all games.

Everyone has their basketball "wish list" of changes. I wish for people to stop abusing officials. It's easier to blame the officials than to examine why teams lose - talent, effort, decisions, execution, and coaching.  

What does study of high level play officiating show? "We analyzed referees’ calls in 250 such incidents, taken from an entire season of the Israeli Basketball Super League, and we found no evidence for favoritism. That is to say, although the situation of potential offensive fouls should be prone to refereeing biases, in our sample the reputation of the players and the teams, the issue of home vs. away teams, and the players’ physical size did not significantly affect the frequency of calls for an offensive foul."

How bad is it getting? Referees suffer not only verbal but physical abuse.

It's not an isolated event. 

In one game I coached, the opposing coach started screaming at the officials from the opening tap. They warned him and he intensified the insults and was tossed in the first minute. His team won, but not because of his coaching genius. Make the game about the players. 

Does that mean coaches must, "sit down and shut up?" No, but habitual efforts to influence officiating doesn't work and disservices the game. If we're unhappy with fouling, the onus on us is teaching legal guarding position, verticality, "showing your hands," avoiding reaching in, and to stop fouling low percentage shots. 

Everyone is invested in winning and success for their child. Yes, it goes over the top, such as when a hockey parent beat another parent to death. 

Officials have finally responded...by walking away. “All of a sudden, [referees] are home with their families on Sundays and relaxing and realizing they don’t have to take it anymore...and they’re not coming back.” Nobody gets rich at $40 a pop.

I'm not saying the officials are perfect. Neither are we coaches. But learning respect for the game, coaches, opponents, and official matters. 

How can we coaches start resolving the crisis? 

• Model excellence. We can't expect players to show respect for officials if we don't. 
• Teach better defense as outlined above. 
• Teach sportsmanship as part of our core values. 
• Encourage younger officials to stay in the game. 
• Support officials to both our players and families by encouraging personal accountability. 
• Reiterate officials' training to everyone involved. 
• Encourage league officials to monitor coaches and fan behavior via officials and coach reporting. 

When I've talked to officials before the game, I've never looked for calls, only asked that they keep players safe. It's a tough job, especially with larger, more physical players. 

Be the change. 

Lagniappe. Most coaches here know these rules. Many fans and players do not.