Four very well known coaches for how they behave in big games. It can be hard to tell whether they’re influencing the refs or just responding passionately to the game sometimes.
It was surprising to see last weekend how quite a few assistant coaches (most notably but not limited to an assistant coach during the championship game) were visible and audible in refs ears. There’s an important distinction to make between head coaches and assistant coaches when it comes to interacting with officials during games.
Head coaches typically have specific privileges to communicate with referees within certain boundaries. They can request explanations of calls, call timeouts, and engage in professional dialogue about game situations. This is part of their leadership role and responsibility to advocate for their team.
However, assistant coaches operate under different restrictions. Waterpolo explicitly prohibit assistant coaches from directly engaging with officials during play. This rule exists for several important reasons:
First, it maintains clear lines of communication - having multiple coaches addressing officials simultaneously would create chaos and confusion. Second, it preserves the authority structure both within the coaching staff and between teams and officials. The head coach serves as the primary point of contact with officials, which helps maintain order and professionalism during heated moments.
When assistant coaches “chirp” at referees, they’re not just breaking protocol - they’re potentially undermining the game’s disciplinary structure.
I think referees have the authority to eject assistant coaches who repeatedly violate these boundaries. This kind of enforcement is necessary to maintain control of the game and ensure respectful interaction between all participants.
Regarding your point about coaches trying to influence the refs - this is indeed part of the professional sports, but with important caveats. The head coach can respectfully bring issues to the officials’ attention during appropriate breaks in play. However, this must be done professionally and constructively, not in a way that undermines the officials’ authority or delays the game.
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I was at a game where an assistant coach barked at a referee over a call. The referee then yellow-carded the head coach. Both the head coach and the assistant coach were confused by the act, to which the referee explained breeches of protocol being the head coach’s responsibility. A hothead assistant can get the head coach ejected.
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Assistant coaches cannot be yellow carded, only red. So refs will sometimes either yellow card the head coach or bench as a warning.
Refs at all levels don’t give enough red cards.
I think the that the bench should have their own cards different from the head coach. If the bench gets red carded then all assistant coaches must leave. Im just throwing an idea out.
Going into the Holiday Cup, Olu and Oaks were undefeated while MD and Newport both had 1 loss. MD lost to San Marcos 10-8 and Newport lost to Oaks 12-11. Based on record Olu and Oaks were the clear 1 and 2 seed. For 3/4, Newport lost to an undefeated Oaks team by one goal while MD dropped a game to a 2 loss San Marcos team (Newport and Bishops). I think the seeding folks got this one right.
The MD loss was before a number of impact MD transfers were eligible to play due to the 30 day sit out period. Agreed Newport good a fortunate draw with OLu/MD on the other side of the bracket. Newport and Olu are the 2/3 seed in SB this weekend and will likely play each other in the semis so we’ll get some clarity.
The top ~8 teams are all capable of beating each other on a given day. Great to see the parity and competition this season!
Seems like many think that there is a lot of parity in the top 1-8 teams this year and are all capable of beating each other. That should make for a very exciting balance of the season, but while there may still be an upset or two along the way, I just do not see anyone beating OLu or MD for the CIF-SS Championship this year.
Well, that will be great for the sport.
Breaking News: Apparently CDM is pulling out of the tournament because of the fires.
Follow up: Newport Mesa reversed the decision to cancel the participation in the TOC after discussions with the school board.
CDM is going to the tournament. Let’s hope for a great weekend.
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Pretty good weekend of polo given the circumstances. Although a bit anticlimactic given the World Cup players departing for Greece on Saturday.
Once again the working of the refs by the assistant coaches persists. The refs really need to put their foot down and take control of the game. We are going to have a CIF final with the outcome predetermined because there can’t be a level playing field. Ridiculous.
A lot of times, a high school, especially a public high school, will terminate an assistant who gets a red card. That’s probably why officials hesitate. They shouldn’t. Just the opposite; it will stop quickly once they make an example of someone.
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OLU replacing Carlsbad from 2024.
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is it the 23-25th or 25-27th? days and dates don’t line up
The Newport Invite is Jan 23rd - 25th.
Anyone have the schedule for SoCal Championships at CDM this weekend?
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How is Long Beach Wilson seeded 4th?
They will probably win this tournament
says they are 1 in the background doc
This was more about what pool teams were playing in. All good. I am not sure anyone cares, still set up for two best teams to play in final.