[Mudhead]

  I will say that I think the criticisms based on observations of game play are very valid; those based on speculation (e.g. motives, personalities, etc) are not.

Excellent point.

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I just don’t subscribe to the mindset that whatever expectations and/or hopes I may have justify trashing the team/coaches on a message board by calling them “pathetic” or “embarrassing.”

Agree wholeheartedly.  Just keeping most of the adjectives out of the analysis gives even a very critical post more of an analytical feel rather than making it sound like a rant.

I would like to endorse this thinking. During a game, I a. The worst of sideline second guessers. “ Haley  , why are you so llose with the damned  ball?” “ Cam, don’t you dare foul her setting a pic 30 feet from the basket” “ Tara , who the hell is going to score in this line up ?”

When we are at the game , I just mutter. When we are watching on TV only my family has to hear my brilliant commentary.  But if I post, I absulutely must discipline my commentary to take out the inflammation and eliminate any thought that a player is lackadaisical , or unfocused or that a coach is “dum b”.  That doesn’t limit my  opportunity to share what I see or worry about or even judge. It just forces me to phrase my thoughts a bit more to what I really believe, not how I am emoting.

By the way, I exercise no such restraint when “helping” the refs or making sure the other team knows I see  their underhanded deeds..  I learned this technique watching our kids play football in high school here in Texas. I would move to the end zone  and lean on the fence so that my comments of the moment were not shared . Probably kept me out of a lot of fist fights .  

It’s still a good approach .

[Mudhead]

  I will say that I think the criticisms based on observations of game play are very valid; those based on speculation (e.g. motives, personalities, etc) are not.

Excellent point.

---

I just don’t subscribe to the mindset that whatever expectations and/or hopes I may have justify trashing the team/coaches on a message board by calling them “pathetic” or “embarrassing.”

Agree wholeheartedly.  Just keeping most of the adjectives out of the analysis gives even a very critical post more of an analytical feel rather than making it sound like a rant.

I would like to endorse this thinking. During a game, I a. The worst of sideline second guessers. “ Haley  , why are you so llose with the damned  ball?” “ Cam, don’t you dare foul her setting a pic 30 feet from the basket” “ Tara , who the hell is going to score in this line up ?”

When we are at the game , I just mutter. When we are watching on TV only my family has to hear my brilliant commentary.  But if I post, I absulutely must discipline my commentary to take out the inflammation and eliminate any thought that a player is lackadaisical , or unfocused or that a coach is “dum b”.  That doesn’t limit my  opportunity to share what I see or worry about or even judge. It just forces me to phrase my thoughts a bit more to what I really believe, not how I am emoting.

By the way, I exercise no such restraint when “helping” the refs or making sure the other team knows I see  their underhanded deeds..  I learned this technique watching our kids play football in high school here in Texas. I would move to the end zone  and lean on the fence so that my comments of the moment were not shared . Probably kept me out of a lot of fist fights .  

It’s still a good approach .