Coaches and Rules Test

gsf23 · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 11:02am

I coach varsity boys basketball out here in North Dakota. The activities association here requires all head coaches to take a rules test or their schools are fined. Just wondering if any other states require this of coaches and what you all think of it.

Coaches in all the other sports are also required to take rules test. The test is the same one that the official are required to take.

Basiacally how it works is that you have to take the test and send it in by a certain date. You receive the test back with a score and another sheet telling you where the correct answers are in the rule book.

Barry C. Morris · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 11:07am

In Kentucky, Coaches are required to attend an annual rules clinic put on by the state. Officials are required to attend the same clinic. Only officials are tested.

I think ND has a good idea in testing coaches. How do you teach someone to play the game if you don't know the rules?

rainmaker · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 11:32am

Quote:

Originally posted by gsf23
I coach varsity boys basketball out here in North Dakota. The activities association here requires all head coaches to take a rules test or their schools are fined. Just wondering if any other states require this of coaches and what you all think of it.

Coaches in all the other sports are also required to take rules test. The test is the same one that the official are required to take.

Basiacally how it works is that you have to take the test and send it in by a certain date. You receive the test back with a score and another sheet telling you where the correct answers are in the rule book.

I like the idea. Do you have any idea how they score?
Is there anyone available to help them understand the answers? I mean, WE don't even agree about everything on that test.

gsf23 · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 12:39pm

well...we take, what is it, part II, just the part witht he true/false and multiple choice. Just given a score out of one hundred. If you have a quesion wrong you are given a sheet with the right answer and then the reference in the rule book that they used to get that answer. There is no penalty for a low score or reward for a high score. I think it is just a way to get the coaches to open the books and learn something.

Most of the coaches I have talked to in the state tell me that they really do try to score well on the test. I suppose that if a coach wanted to he could call the Activites assocication and get an answer, we also have the emails for all of those that are in charge of each sport.

The coaches also have to attend a rules clinic as well.

Schmidt MJ · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 12:46pm

In Kansas, coaches and officials are required to attend a rules meeting and take Part I of the test. If a coach gets less than 90% he must take the second part along with several questions about how our state conducts its Activities Association, which can be harder than the rules test. If an official gets less than 90% he is not required to take part II, but he is not eligible for post-season competition either.

Dan_ref · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 12:51pm

Quote:

Originally posted by gsf23
well...we take, what is it, part II, just the part witht he true/false and multiple choice. Just given a score out of one hundred. If you have a quesion wrong you are given a sheet with the right answer and then the reference in the rule book that they used to get that answer. There is no penalty for a low score or reward for a high score. I think it is just a way to get the coaches to open the books and learn something.

Most of the coaches I have talked to in the state tell me that they really do try to score well on the test. I suppose that if a coach wanted to he could call the Activites assocication and get an answer, we also have the emails for all of those that are in charge of each sport.

The coaches also have to attend a rules clinic as well.

Are your rules clinics more than an explanation of new or changed rules?

gsf23 · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 01:13pm

We go over the new rules for the year, anything that the state wants officials to crack down on (last year it was throwing elbows, this year it will be post play), go over any rules that they were having problems with in the previous year or any situations that came up that need clarification. Then they have time for any coaches or officials to ask questions. That is about it.

[Edited by gsf23 on Sep 22nd, 2003 at 01:16 PM]

dblref · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 22, 2003, 01:39pm

Quote:

Originally posted by gsf23
We go over the new rules for the year, anything that the state wants officials to crack down on (last year it was throwing elbows, this year it will be post play), go over any rules that they were having problems with in the previous year or any situations that came up that need clarification. Then they have time for any coaches or officials to ask questions. That is about it.

[Edited by gsf23 on Sep 22nd, 2003 at 01:16 PM]

We do basically the same thing in northern VA. The head coach, or his/her representative, is required to attend the rules clinic as are all officials. We don't have to attend the rules clinic if you received the information at a camp. I think the school is fined something like $25 or $50 if a coach/representative doesn't attend. We have to fill out an attendance card (2 cards if you are a coach and an official).

zebraman · #9 (**permalink**) Tue Sep 23, 2003, 01:01pm

In Washington State, Coaches and officials are required to attend an annual rules clinic put on by the state. Officials Only officials are tested.

I think most officials have always thought that the coaches should be required to take the test too. Maybe then they'd quit asking for "3 in the key" while the teams are rebounding a missed shot.

Z