Time to Eliminate the Seat Belt Rule?

[crosscountry55]

Listening to a local radio show the other day and the host's guest was a prominent local HS coach. He was talking about how he got his first T in five years the other night when he was warned for (as he described it...haven't heard the official's perspective yet) being a few steps out on the floor early in the first quarter. Coach is a little annoyed but jokingly says, "if you pay as much attention to the calls on the floor as you do to where I'm standing tonight, we'll be all right." He gets whacked. His biggest beef on the radio show was that he coaches his kids a step or two on the floor all the time, and that this is the first time in forever that any official enforced the rule so literally. He felt like the official was out to get him.

On one hand, provided the coach's account is accurate, I believe we may have had a "gottcha" referee situation, here. On the other hand, I think the T was justified because no matter how much you disapprove of an official's literalism, you can't make a snarky comment like that and expect to get away scott free.

But this is all backstory. The coach then went on to lament that the worst aspect of what happened was that he had to sit the rest of the game, making it much harder to coach, and the fact that the T happened so early in the game exacerbated the T's impact. It was like a game-long penalty rather than a spot-correction. He wants to end the seat belt rule in NFHS. Feels sitting is a prolonged humiliation that actually causes tension with the officials to fester, and that this aspect of the rule outweighs the deterrent effect that it purports to have.

And so I ask: What do you all think? Has the seat belt rule outlived its purpose? And does anyone know if the rules committee has ever pondered eliminating it before? (I'm thinking probably not considering the coach's authority to stand is still technically a state association adoption option, even though all but 2-3 states have now adopted it.)

[Adam]

It's additional incentive to behave; leave it the way it is.

And even assuming the coach's story is accurate, I have no pity.
Part of our job is to watch the whole game, including keeping the coach off of the court. If I tell a coach to stay off the court, and he decides to ridicule my attention, there's a sure way to keep him off the court.

[Raymond]

I know the ref who T'd him and one of the partners. I'll stay out of this convo.

Seriously though, I could do without the seatbelt rule.

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[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

Has the seat belt rule outlived its purpose? And does anyone know if the rules committee has ever pondered eliminating it before?

We eliminated the seat belt seat rule (in most states) in 1989. Coaches can now stand and coach. crosscountry55 is probably referring to the seat belt penalty rule.

Carry on.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We eliminated the seat belt seat rule (in most states) in 1989. Coaches can now stand and coach. crosscountry55 is probably referring to the seat belt penalty rule.

Carry on.

This was pretty obvious in context.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Adam

This was pretty obvious in context.

When old farts like me hear "seat belt rule" we think back to the days when we would often (very often) instruct coaches to, "Please sit down" (usually without the "Please").

Are there any states out there that do not use the optional coaching box?

[BillyMac]

A few years ago I had a coach who almost chose not to have a kid play with an illegal number rather than the coach sit down the rest of the game and allow the kid to play. It was a tough decision for her, but she finally lamented to let the kid play. Standing is a big deal for coaches. I coached middle school basketball before and after the coaching box rule, and I much preferred standing.

[deecee]

For the most part I don't care if a coach is a step or two on the court when coaching as long as they are WAY out of the play. If it comes to a point where it may become problematic I do remind a coach to be aware of his position on/by his bench. If I ever do run into a coach and they are on the court I'm Ting them up without even thinking.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We eliminated the seat belt seat rule (in most states) in 1989. Coaches can now stand and coach. crosscountry55 is probably referring to the seat belt penalty rule.



Carry on.

Is there anyone out there in the least bit confused by the original post?

Didn't think so.

I'd eliminate the belt after a technical. If it were up to me the box would be 28' as well.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I'd eliminate the belt after a technical. If it were up to me the box would be 28' as well.

Like, and like again, especially the second part.

Isn't that the NCAA rule? That's what we use for our hybrid NCAA/NFHS prep school rules.

Wait a minute? Should I try to look that up first on my own before I post the question? Oh no. Now I'm in big trouble.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

Is there anyone out there in the least bit confused by the original post?

No confusion on my end. I was just giving some historical perspective. A few may like that, many others probably don't.

“Those unable to catalog the past are doomed to repeat it.” (Lemony Snicket)

[OrStBballRef]

I like the seatbelt rule as it enforces 'good' behavior and as another poster stated in this thread many coaches like standing up during the game and coaching. Having to sit down and coach isn't quite the same. The possibility of losing the box I would like to believe is a big factor in some behavior choices that coaches make.

I would think if we removed the loss of box penalty you'd have more Ts as coaches know they can cross the line one time and not lose the box.

Now for the OP I would have whacked the coach for that comment as well. That being said if a coach is a step or two on the court and coaching, not in my way or commenting he/she may just get a gentle reminder to stay in the box. For me personally that kind of reminder doesn't register on my radar for conduct issues....

[Rich]

I think we'd be better off removing all this perceived stigma with technical fouls and just call them.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Rich

I think we'd be better off removing all this perceived stigma with technical fouls and just call them.

Agreed. In college ball when we call a technical on the coach we move on and so does the coach.

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[BlueDevilRef]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Agreed. In college ball when we call a technical on the coach we move on and so does the coach.

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Jim Boheim or John Calapari much?