Quote:
Originally posted by oc
Could you guys (and Julie) post some examples of borderline cases for when you would/would not give a technical foul.
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You want borderline cases. In borderline situations, I usually try to warn first. Notice, I'm talking here about borderline stuff. Anything that's defined in the book gets a T the first time -- administrative (although below varsity, I'm a little lenient on these sometimes), unsportsmanlike, and so on. Any coach or player who is clearly quite inexperienced, I warn first, unless it's just foul. For instance, the swear word quietly under the breath when the shot is missed, I may ignore, or I may warn. Anything directed at me quietly I will respond to, or warn the first time, as long as it doesn't include profanity (automatic) or the name of Jesus (pushes my buttons!).
Continual, or repeated whining, I will warn but once only. Then whack! This would be stuff such as, "When you gonna call the foul?" "I can't believe you called that" "You're killing us here" "Travel, travel, oh, my, gosh" "That was a terrible call" and so on ad nauseum. If it goes on more than about 30 or 40 seconds in a row (as the game continues), I warn, and then allow the occasional single comment, but no more repeated stuff. If it is about one play, I warn after about 15 seconds, or if it is holdng up the game, I'll warn in about 5 seconds, or just whack.
The only coach T I gave last season was to a coach who just whined along, quietly. She never did talk loud enough for the crowd to hear, but her players did. When they started copping an attitude, I warned the coach, although she apparently didn't hear me -- she really was not stopping at all. Finally, I'd had enough and I shut her down. After the firt T, I still allowed her an occasional comment, but she didn't do anymore whining. But she was fine the rest of the game.
I would say, as a general rule, in borderline situations, always warn first, even -- or maybe especially -- with the more capable, experienced coaches. If the same thing happens again, probably whack. Remember that the T is supposed to make the game better. If a warning will do the job, that's better for everyone. YOu maintain control and authority without embarassing or belittling anyone. This looks good to evaluators. When you've tried everything else, and the T is the only thing left, well, use it.
[Edited by rainmaker on Oct 13th, 2003 at 09:39 AM]