I've played my fair share of social games lately and I find they tend to react better when you ask them questions without the emotion that some other players emit when "talking" to the refs about calls or non-calls made.

I don't mind if refs are confident of a call and I know they're wrong. I just ask for the reason for the call and explain why I think/know (as a former ref)it's the wrong call and they always seem to be fine for the rest of the game. We are human and we all mistakes.

Once somebody turns it into a shouting match, that's when the refs lose their confidence to make good calls and that's when everybody (the players, coaches, refs) end up losing out.

In the end, it is just a game. A great game and my favourite, but still just a game.

One problem is the 2 refs not one. They need to be taught how to bounce of each other and communicate points of focus, one of the biggest issue is allowable contact and consistency at each end - sure refs change lead and trail but they both manage contact differently. If they can be more consistent together then you will see calmer teams.

I've watched my fair share of ball games and I can argue that refs are, in fact, not human.

coming from a ref myself here are some points:

agree never yell at a ref otherwise we will never answer you
i dont mind some question but if you keep asking after every call that gets really annoying.
after the game if the coaches or people have time explain to them what they did wrong and what they did really well a good thing that refs like here is "you guys did a good job on that game"
and most of all just be nice because we are willing to work well just some refs should not be ref

The BSA refs are all caught up in their own self importance and will not improve whilst the current coaching coordinator enables and encourages mediocrity.

Even the court supervisors are jumped up,arrogant and unapproachable.
They would not have a clue about the rules, conflict resolution or relationship building.

It's all about them, princess's all of them.

never have kids younger than the players ref them.

Particularly the case in District Basketball, the only people at the stadium being paid and yet they are not held accountable for their performance or lack thereof.

The players actually pay to play, the parents pay to watch, the coach doesn't get paid, the team manager does it for nothing, the door person and canteen staff are probably volunteers and the refs are only there to fuel their ego and put their hands out for money. This ISN'T the case in ALL situations, but in the majority of stadiums, this is the case. As stated in other posts, there are some very good refs who are let down by others who are there to make up numbers.

Need to be able to smile and have a laugh. If you stuffed up admit it and you'll gain respect very quickly.

Maybe some coaches and parents are human how can we help them to improve? Take a trip to a game where you have no vested interest & consider whether you'd like your children exposed to the often offensive & ignorant behaviour directed towards the referees. Yes a lot of developing referees make mistakes but you don't see the young players get abused for their bad shots, passes, violations and contact oh sorry yes some parents will abuse that too.
And before you jump on the fact that they're paid, yes but if money was all they were after they'd make much more per hour at Maccas or even at the stadium canteen where or as a CSO at the door(even the former "doorkeepers" were not volunteers).
And ask a referee if they're accountable, no they're not judged every game but are regularly observed, evaluated and coached.

Knox refs are taught from day 1 to be arrogant rude and disrespectful to players and coaches. How do I know I ref at Knox.
Young refs get told by supervisors prior to a game which player or coach to target to get them sucked in.
Good old commonsense and game management is not taught.
Kbinc wonder why domestic teams hate playing at Knox.
No accountability and arrogance is one thing but targeting people they don't like is unacceptable.

Domestic ball is where it all begins. Respect and understanding while applying common sense and a mature level head is not easy at the best of items.

All domestic games run on tight schedules, usually with 5 minutes or less between games to organise any pre game rituals. Just to get players to warm up is a challenge, what with parents, players and officials all wanting to chat at the end of one game while two other teams are vying for space and any opportunity to get a few shots up before their game begins.

Here are some of the key things I think we miss in this short space of time:

Coaches and officials don't get to have a chat beforehand, the first actual contact could be a disputed decision.

Everyone is rushed and sometimes the game clock starts before players are ready, just to fit games into tight time slots, but officials will cop a glance from parents paying for a full game unfairly.

There is little to no interaction, a lack of people skills being taught or learnt, no chance to develop that customer service the OP has referred to because of an environment born out of an attitude of profit before people!

Associations must accept responsibility to develop the correct culture the sport deserves, because we all know the rules and codes of conduct are there, but how can they be applied in such difficult conditions and circumstances that only breed contempt and conflict...?

...times... Not items, bugger iPads!

1. Make sure they get out of the right side of bed
2. If they are >18 that they have had a root recently
3. If they <18 they have to speak to younger siblings and adults with respect
4. Turn a blind eye to "ugly parents"
5. Free Chocolate
6. Free parking (at least not in the mud/marion)
7. Make sure they have children themselves
8. Make sure they support Crows
9. Make sure they support Port
10. Make sure they don't read hoops SA

I find most refs try their best, but a lack of training, support and being held accountable after a less than ideal game lets them down. If someone looks generally out of their depth then I can forgive their mistakes because they were most likely dragged in at the last minute so we could have our game. It's well known that there is a shortage of more mature referees.

However.. There are two refs in the SEABL who think they're above the game and are quite rude, arrogant and downright disrespectful to the players, coaches and officials. It's referees like this that unfortunatley get in the ear of others and turn them into self centered spotlight hunters.

I think there needs to be a fair few $$ put into development and having the right people teaching from the beginning because like anon above with the Knox example, there can be some absolute idiots teaching the future generation.

I wonder if these Seabl refs are from Knox?

The best assistant coach is one who can take over for a few moments while the coach sits down to cool off, not the one who just agrees with him that the ref is wrong and againt him all the time.

That however requires a coach who can accept being told to cool down when the signs are there to everyone else that he is about to get a tech because of his actions or frustrations.

The ref probably doesn't even see or understand any of this as he/she is hopefully focused on the game, all they see is an upset coach that they don't want to talk to and nothing good will come from that interaction anyway...

Agree with Anon , Knox are the worst and not getting any better.