[mikec]

I am in the S.F. bay area. While we have our share of gung ho summer coaches, things are obviously different. Are you an educator? To me, this is all part of the educational process , and if I see something that is wrong I will call someone on it, especially during summer when there is little or no control by school administrators, A.D's etc.

I try to work leagues that have a 20 point rule. No pressing in the second half when up by 20 or more. If there is no rule in the league I have been known to get it added.

Obviously, during the regular season this is impossible. Will a team up 40 and still pressing against an outmanned team get any breaks from me? No. As I said before, they get no breaks. As an example; if the ball goes out of bounds and it is close, figure who is getting the ball. Any contact on the press is a foul. A smart coach gets the message. Does it mean I am influencing the outcome of the game? No. the game is already decided. Does it mean I am trying to add a little sportsmanship to it. Yes.

If people disagree so be it. I have no problem. I feel very confident in doing it and will continue if the need arises. Now obviously, this does not happen often.

Now we all know that sometimes a huge lead is not safe. This can happen when two strong teams meet and one team is capable of coming back, I am not talking about that. I am referring to the team that can't even get the ball over halfcourt against a press. At the boys varsity level you do not see this often, but at the girls level, even varsity, it can happen with some regularity.

A coach up 45 and pressing in a summer league game needs some guidance. If no one else will give it, I will.