Chain-gang etiquette??

[jets]

Probably moreso an offseason topic...but interested to hear some stories of ...let's just say "too involved" chain gang members.

They have the best seat in the house...and 99% of the time, most are great dudes who just love the game of high school football.

BUT...some think their status on the sidelines gives them the right to speak to coaches and players...that is when it gets a little touchy for me.

What say you?? 

[Komets2727]

Not a big fan of volunteers talking to coaches and players as I volunteer myself. I line judge volleyball games and works the scorers table for basketball games and I would not interject myself with coaches and players. Now, obviously I speak to the officials quite a bit in my roles as that is necessary.

[tango]

1 hour ago, jets said:

Probably moreso an offseason topic...but interested to hear some stories of ...let's just say "too involved" chain gang members.

They have the best seat in the house...and 99% of the time, most are great dudes who just love the game of high school football.

BUT...some think their status on the sidelines gives them the right to speak to coaches and players...that is when it gets a little touchy for me.

What say you?? 

They should keep their mouths shut at all times

[1st_and_10]

If they want to run their mouths to coaches/players, they should be removed.  We had an issue with a chain guy (who happened to be a parent) a couple of years ago... The guy was literally running his mouth to coaches any chance he got (and some players too).  It was ridiculous.  But where they are from and who their Head Coach is... It doesn't surprise me.

[Impartial_Observer]

Much like assistant coaches, they are to be seen and not heard. 

[hhpatriot04]

1 hour ago, 1st_and_10 said:

If they want to run their mouths to coaches/players, they should be removed.  We had an issue with a chain guy (who happened to be a parent) a couple of years ago... The guy was literally running his mouth to coaches any chance he got (and some players too).  It was ridiculous.  But where they are from and who their Head Coach is... It doesn't surprise me.

Oh. Do say more...

[1st_and_10]

13 minutes ago, hhpatriot04 said:

Oh. Do say more...

LOL.  I wish I could... I have been in trouble for speaking about a certain coach... Several on here know what I think of the guy.

[5GetsYou1]

We remind the chains and timers that they are an extension of the officiating crew for the night. In reality, I get that they are fans of the home team and light cheering here and there is going to happen. 

We almost had to remove a member of the chains, not because of cheering, but because he wasn't doing his task properly and then getting an attitude when our HLJ corrected him. Go figure, he also didn't show up early to get the instructions. 

We told the AD after the game and he apologized profusely and immediately left to go straighten him out. 

[Bobref]

We tell the chain crew that they are part of the officiating crew, and must conduct themselves accordingly. But a lot of them tell you “we’ve been doing this for 20 years, so …” Those are the ones we worry about. 
 

I have some great chain crew stories. Showed up for a tournament game once. The home team’s field was unplayable, so we were at a neutral site. Both teams had chain crews show up, and each demanded to work. They were about to square off with one another, when I had to intervene.

Another time, one of the chain crew had a kid playing for the home team. The visiting coaches were saying some pretty harsh stuff on their sideline and Dad objected. Things started to get pretty close to physical, and I had to stop the game and fire the entire chain crew on the spot.

But my favorite was a college game I worked at Lake Forest, IL. Very cold day, with the wind whipping in off the lake. As we started the 3rd quarter, it became apparent that the chain crew had used halftime to fortify themselves against the elements with adult beverages. Made for a really interesting second half.

[Muda69]

42 minutes ago, Bobref said:

I have some great chain crew stories. Showed up for a tournament game once. The home team’s field was unplayable, so we were at a neutral site. Both teams had chain crews show up, and each demanded to work. They were about to square off with one another, when I had to intervene.

 

I'm curious.  How did you resolve the above situation?

 

[Bobref]

7 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

I'm curious.  How did you resolve the above situation?

 

My wisdom was Solomonic: the team initially designated as the home team worked the first half, and the visitors worked the 2nd half.