When to call the Technical

Not a tech unless done in an unsporting manner. Just like I'm not gonna call a tech for a kid changing his jersey in the bench area due to blood. Not the purpose of the rule.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Not a tech unless done in an unsporting manner.

AremRed: I fully agree with you in practice, but in theory, be careful to differentiate between a player technical foul for unsporting and a head coach technical foul for unauthorized leaving the bench area. These two rules are not 100% interchangeable. Note the slightly different wording for the reasons to charge a technical foul, and remember a player is one of five, most others are bench personnel (head coach responsible), certainly a team member who has been disqualified with five fouls.

10-5-5: The head coach shall not permit team members to leave the bench area and/or playing court for an unauthorized reason.

10-3-6-I: A player shall not: Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as: Leave the playing court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust or intimidation.

The rule below might be useful in regard to unsporting behavior as described in the original post (if a technical foul is to be charged, a separate question):

10-4-1: Bench personnel, including the head coach, shall not: Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as: e. Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures; f. Inciting undesirable crowd reactions.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Not a tech unless done in an unsporting manner. Just like I'm not gonna call a tech for a kid changing his jersey in the bench area due to blood. Not the purpose of the rule.

Where does it say what the purpose for the rule is?

Originally Posted by Dad

Where does it say what the purpose for the rule is?

Nowhere as far as I know, which is unfortunate.

[PG_Ref]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Not a tech unless done in an unsporting manner. Just like I'm not gonna call a tech for a kid changing his jersey in the bench area due to blood. Not the purpose of the rule.

Actually, the intent of the rule is to assess a "T" even in that situation. You have to go all the way back to when the NFHS issued it's interps regarding the rule ... 2005 season.

SITUATION 5: A1 is directed to leave the game with a blood-saturated jersey. While at the team bench area, he/she removes the jersey and changes into a clean, spare jersey. RULING: A1 is assessed a technical foul. Team B is awarded two free throws and the ball for a division line throw-in. COMMENT: The uniform rule is intended to be applied in all situations. It is not unreasonable to expect team members to leave the playing area to change uniforms. (3-4-15; 10-4-1h)

Originally Posted by PG_Ref

Actually, the intent of the rule is to assess a "T" even in that situation. You have to go all the way back to when the NFHS issued it's interps regarding the rule ... 2005 season.

SITUATION 5: A1 is directed to leave the game with a blood-saturated jersey. While at the team bench area, he/she removes the jersey and changes into a clean, spare jersey. RULING: A1 is assessed a technical foul. Team B is awarded two free throws and the ball for a division line throw-in. COMMENT: The uniform rule is intended to be applied in all situations. It is not unreasonable to expect team members to leave the playing area to change uniforms. (3-4-15; 10-4-1h)

Cool! Unfortunately I don't think that interp is present in the current rules book. As some might know I am hesitant to apply rules based on interpretations from many years ago (eg. the technical foul for teams running around the opposing players warming up).

If I can't open my current rule book and point to it, why should I be applying it?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Cool! Unfortunately I don't think that interp is present in the current rules book. As some might know I am hesitant to apply rules based on interpretations from many years ago (eg. the technical foul for teams running around the opposing players warming up).

If I can't open my current rule book and point to it, why should I be applying it?

Because the rule is quite clear without the interpretation. It's one thing when the rule is ambiguous, or even says the opposite of the existing interpretations, but this isn't one of those cases.

[UNIgiantslayers]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Because the rule is quite clear without the interpretation. It's one thing when the rule is ambiguous, or even says the opposite of the existing interpretations, but this isn't one of those cases.

If you want to die on that hill, go ahead. You're not incorrect in your assessment. But I'll pick my battles and leave well-enough alone on this one. I've always heard guys say "don't go searching for T's, they'll find you." I think in this case, you're hunting for one.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

If you want to die on that hill, go ahead. You're not incorrect in your assessment. But I'll pick my battles and leave well-enough alone on this one. I've always heard guys say "don't go searching for T's, they'll find you." I think in this case, you're hunting for one.

If someone takes the jersey off right in the gym, the T has found you. Only pure disinterest in applying the rules gets you out of calling that one. Sometimes you can't save players from their own stupidity.

What are you going to say to the opposing coach when he confronts you with not calling the blatantly obvious technical?

[UNIgiantslayers]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

If someone takes the jersey off right in the gym, the T has found you. Only pure disinterest in applying the rules gets you out of calling that one. Sometimes you can't save players from their own stupidity.

What are you going to say to the opposing coach when he confronts you with not calling the blatantly obvious technical?

I was talking about the T for leaving the bench anyway, but with regard to the jersey I'm going to say something to the tune of "I didn't see it, coach. I was focused on the action on the court," if I happen to be in that situation

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Because the rule is quite clear without the interpretation. It's one thing when the rule is ambiguous, or even says the opposite of the existing interpretations, but this isn't one of those cases.

I agree. Sort of. However, if I know a player has blood on his shirt and needs to change, I'm miraculously paying no attention to anyone but the players on the court. In other words, it's not something I'm meticulously watching for.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by Dad

I agree. Sort of. However, if I know a player has blood on his shirt and needs to change, I'm miraculously paying no attention to anyone but the players on the court. In other words, it's not something I'm meticulously watching for.

Why not simply give the coach a quiet reminder before the kid takes off the shirt?

[Jesse James]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Why not simply give the coach a quiet reminder before the kid takes off the shirt?

In a high school Xmas tournament I watched, a kid played the first quarter with a white t-shirt under a blue jersey. At the quarter break, an official told him the T-shirt needed to go. So the kid removes both shirts at the bench--with no repercussion. From the fourth row, it was pick and choose deluxe.

As you say, it's so easy to help yourself in this one with a quick "and change outside of court view"

[Adam]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Why not simply give the coach a quiet reminder before the kid takes off the shirt?

I'm not even quiet about it.

"Coach, keep me out of trouble and send him out of the gym where I can't see him to change his shirt."

Stupid rule, but pretty damned clear cut.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Why not simply give the coach a quiet reminder before the kid takes off the shirt?

Because I have a 100% chance to forget if I'm not the one closest to the coach. If I'm there I'll hopefully remember to say something. If not, then I'm not going looking for a T.

Sometimes the players give you no choice but to call a T.