Use your ears, not your mouth

If a coach confronts you about a call, LISTEN to what he has to say. Look him in the eye and LISTEN! Never yell or raise your voice. You may ask him if he wants to hear how you saw the play and explain the reasoning behind your call. If he wants to state his side again, let him.  But after that, the game must continue.

Arguing back and forth is no help and doesn't accomplish anything. You can defuse the situation by saying: "Well, coach, if that's the way you saw it, then I may have missed it, but we have to continue the game." At that point you need to turn, walk back to your position, and focus on the rest of the game.

It is OK for the coach to get the last word in. If he persists, and follows you, look at him and give a stern, calm, cool, collected "I've heard enough, Coach, let's play ball." If he still wants more, restrict him to the dugout in a high school game or boot him at any other level.

Continued...