Changing Starters before tip-off
 

Obligatory: Coach here.

I don't have my rulebook with me so figured I'd just ask. Is there a procedure for changing your starter just before tip off? I had a kid this week who said he wasn't feeling great before we changed, then as he warmed up he said he was fine so I listed him as a starter. Just before tip he told me he couldn't go. So I just put someone in his place the officials were notified and we took the T and moved on. Not a huge deal. But when I asked the officials the following two games both said they would have just told the other coach and moved on it wasn't like we were deceiving anyone.

Just curious what you all commonly do as I'm sure kids get hurt during warm ups occasionally and this becomes necessary.

Thanks for all you do!

You can change a starter without penalty if necessitated by illness. Rules 3-2-2a and 10-1-2a.

Let's Go To The Videotape ...
 

If you didn't tell the officials why you needed to make the change, that's probably why you "took the T." A simple explanation of, "Excuse me, sir, #34 thought he could go but he's feeling ill, and I'd like to designate a new starter in his place" probably would have sufficed. Assuming the officials knew the rule.

If you said this, and they made you "take the T" anyway, then the mistake belongs to the officials.