Handling Coaches and Ejections

by Tom Anstett

There are many different views about how to handle coaches. From experience I have found what works for me. Working hard at umpiring, putting out 110%, being the best you can be will make the task of dealing with coaches a breeze. They will respect and appreciate what you do. This alone will diffuse many situations. A coach is more apt to accept your decision, be more understanding about your call. If he does come out to discuss something with you they will talk to you with respect, the same way you will talk with them. This comes with experience, from building a good reputation, from having confidence.

Coaches will question and challenge a rookie, or someone who acts like a rookie, also someone with a poor attitude or who is just plain lazy.

  • Treat others as you would have them treat you
  • Show RESPECT, be a gentleman - but let him know that you're in charge
  • Act PROFESSIONALLY - watch your tone of voice - don't be the aggressor
  • but remember, you're in charge of this game not him


The good umpire will ....

EVALUATE

each situation - flow with it a little bit

LISTEN

to what the coach has to say

ANSWER

his questions - be a good listener

POLITELY

be polite, make eye contact


The less said, the better, don't offer information
  • Always speak to the coach away from team members - your partner can help with this
    • your partner should move into the area to be of assistance if necessary
    • keep other players and coaches away
    • always one to one

  • Let the coach have his say, let him "get it off his chest"

  • LISTEN to what they have to say, don't cut them off short unless:
    • they are repeating themselves
    • they are taking up too much time
    • they become abusive

Ending the Discussion

 Start walking them back to their dugout or coaches box then give them definite instructions , for example: "I hear what you are saying, but I'm not changing the call, let's play ball" or "O K, I've heard enough, let's play ball" and WALK AWAY. Always give an instruction and WALK away, don't give him time to answer

If he continues and follows you, pursues you, then toss him, he is ejecting himself If a coach comes out on you, don't let him come right up to you. When he is about 10' away, you walk right up to him - take his momentum away, stand with your feet apart, arms folded across your chest and look him in the eyes. Be firm, be confident, listen, reply and start walking him back, then break it off and walk away.

When coaches speak don't let them repeat themselves - enough is enough.

Don't be the aggressor - you don't need to have the last word, keep the discussion to the immediate issue, not about what happened before. Let the coaches get upset, NOT YOU, when you're upset you loose control you might do or say things maybe you shouldn't.

Don't give the ultimate ultimatum, for example: "IF YOU SAY ONE MORE WORD YOU'RE FINISHED." You don't leave any options, this can be taken as a challenge be "Firm but Fair"

Never let the coach get your partner involved with the discussion:

  • if you want help from your partner-you ask, but only when it's absolutely, positively necessary
  • if it's your call - handle it
  • involving your partner could make you both look bad
  • your not out there to take a vote

If You Kicked The Call

 In situations where you kicked a call you might try:
  • " If I saw it the way you did maybe next time I'd call it differently"
  • " If I had to call the same play again, maybe I would call it differently"
  • " I kicked it coach, I can't change it, I'm not going to make it up"

My level of priorities - extra courtesy, respect and leeway to head coach, very little to asst. coach, in fact I don't really want to hear him. I don't tolerate the players yelling or arguing with me

For My Partner

For the partner who is not involved with the discussion or argument:
  • never offer advise, unless your asked by your partner
  • never offer information unless asked by your partner
  • only answer the question that you are asked
  • always keep everyone else away
  • watch your partners back when he turns and leaves the coach or dugout area; coaches and especially players love to make gestures and remarks after you turn and leave

About Ejections

 Evaluate the situation before ejecting a coach- this is a no win situation. A good umpire knows how to diffuse a situation: try to calm the coach down, "Coach, relax, let's talk about it." Don't let him make a big show by raising his hands or arms above his head, "Put your arms down, relax, we can talk about it" Don't let him stand there and yell at you, walk away, "When you calm down I will talk with you"

Do what you can but WHEN HE GOT TO GO, HE HAS GOT TO GO

Toss him!

  • don't tolerate anything personal
  • don't let him question your integrity
  • don't let him affect the game with his yelling and barking

    "Coach, that's it, I've heard enough" - then walk away. If he continues - toss him - but remember::

  • nothing is proved by bragging about all your ejections
  • to have a lot of ejections doesn't make you a better umpire
  • after you eject a player or coach your partner should move in and take over

Concerning players: In some situations offer the coach a option - do you want me to take care of #5 or are you going to take care of #5. Usually they are happy to oblige.


Tom Anstett lives in Palm City, Florida and has an extensive background as an umpire and umpire trainer. For more information on Tom click here.


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