[tomegun]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
I have never had a coach get to the point where I felt the need to put the ball down, at least not at the varsity level -- which is what I normally work.

Then again, I *am* pretty liberal with a timeout. I wait until both teams are comfortably at their benches before starting the timeout clock, telling the timer during the pregame meeting that it doesn't start until I tell him/her and that I will usually wait until the teams are in their huddles to start. I step in and announce the first horn, usually getting the attention of the assistants. Then, if I'm the official off ball and the team hasn't broken by the second horn, I'll walk in the huddle and get them moving.

Never felt that I was being taken advantage of. I've also never told them to be ready to play on the second horn, either -- I think that's bush league and makes us look like we're in some kind of a big hurry. Games can end in 1:10, including halftime -- what's the rush?

If I felt that a coach had taken advantage of a timeout, I would take the time to talk to the coach about it. If he repeated the behavior, then I guess I would put the ball on the floor. But I'm not going there unless I feel like I'm put in that corner -- and likely the coach and I would've had a brief chat about it first.

Sure, putting the ball down shows the coach who's in charge and tells the coach to "speed things up." But does it make the game better for you, for them, and for the players?
[/B]

These are some great comments. Also, if this is a problem there is nothing wrong with asking the coach, at the appropriate time, "coach, can you get them out a little quicker?" Most coaches will not have a problem with that because the don't mind the communication. It is sort of telling them how you feel without a threat. If a coach has a problem with this communication he/she has other problems too.