Coach Berating Players

[billyu2]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

How a coach conducts himself when it comes to the game, and how a coach conducts himself when dealing with his players, are two different things. I believe we officials are only meant to be concerned about the game.

Now, can a coach's actions towards his players carry over into affecting the game, thus putting us into a position to do something? I suppose. But until then I don't see where we should get involved.

If his actions/words do not carry over from his team's bench, huddles on the court during timeouts, or in the locker room, into the game then do we really have any jurisdiction?

Mind you, I'm only speaking of high school contests.

Yes, they are two different things but all conduct during the contest comes under our jurisdiction including time outs and intermissions. Let's say during a time out a coach is screaming at his players. Okay, fine. But then, to drive home his point to the team, he slams his clipboard down and across the floor or kicks over a chair. Would you ignore that because it was in the category of "dealing with his team" and not part of the "game"? Our options in any behavior/conduct situations are: let it go, address the coach or penalize the coach. Sound judgement obviously is required. I do not think it would be wise to have my mind 100% made up that whatever a coach does in "dealing with his team" is not my concern.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by billyu2

Yes, they are two different things but all conduct during the contest comes under our jurisdiction including time outs and intermissions. Let's say during a time out a coach is screaming at his players. Okay, fine. But then, to drive home his point to the team, he slams his clipboard down and across the floor or kicks over a chair. Would you ignore that because it was in the category of "dealing with his team" and not part of the "game"? Our options in any behavior/conduct situations are: let it go, address the coach or penalize the coach. Sound judgement obviously is required. I do not think it would be wise to have my mind 100% made up that whatever a coach does in "dealing with his team" is not my concern.

In your situation the coach crossed the line from "being an ass to his players" to "disturbing the game by tossing his clipboard across the floor".

Again... trying to make a distinction between doing our jobs and doing the jobs of others. Which may be impossible without it being a HTBT thing.

[billyu2]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

In your situation the coach crossed the line from "being an ass to his players" to "disturbing the game by tossing his clipboard across the floor".

Again... trying to make a distinction between doing our jobs and doing the jobs of others. Which may be impossible without it being a HTBT thing.

Maybe this is what you are trying to get at: Our job is to ensure the rules, regulations and guidelines of the NFHS and our state association are being carried out during our jurisdiction of the contest. Our state association may have modifications to the NFHS or additions (such as the 5 qtr. limit) that we have to be aware of and know how to penalize. High schools adopt those same R, R and G's into their athletic policies but the school as well may add some of their own regulations that are not our responsibility. For example, a high school in your area may have a policy that if a coach in any way demeans, ridicules or "hurts the feelings" of a student athlete in an athletic contest he/she is subject to a fine or suspension. That "school" policy does not relieve us from upholding the code of conduct of the NFHS and state association because we are not required to know or enforce any such school policies. A coach could be really giving his team a verbal lashing during a time out that may violate the school policy but in our opinion may not have crossed the line of the NFHS or OHSAA. But if it did, we may have to at least address the coach or even penalize the conduct at the time it occurs and the school will do what they have to do in a day or two following the contest. As Adam and others have said, a great deal of discretion applies. And I might add, in most situations it would be good to confer with our partners and be in agreement before taking any action. We don't need any "lone rangers" out there. JRutledge will not want to work with you! (And I don't blame him)

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by billyu2

Maybe this is what you are trying to get at: Our job is to ensure the rules, regulations and guidelines of the NFHS and our state association are being carried out during our jurisdiction of the contest. Our state association may have modifications to the NFHS or additions (such as the 5 qtr. limit) that we have to be aware of and know how to penalize. High schools adopt those same R, R and G's into their athletic policies but the school as well may add some of their own regulations that are not our responsibility. For example, a high school in your area may have a policy that if a coach in any way demeans, ridicules or "hurts the feelings" of a student athlete in an athletic contest he/she is subject to a fine or suspension. That "school" policy does not relieve us from upholding the code of conduct of the NFHS and state association because we are not required to know or enforce any such school policies. A coach could be really giving his team a verbal lashing during a time out that may violate the school policy but in our opinion may not have crossed the line of the NFHS or OHSAA. But if it did, we may have to at least address the coach or even penalize the conduct at the time it occurs and the school will do what they have to do in a day or two following the contest. As Adam and others have said, a great deal of discretion applies. And I might add, in most situations it would be good to confer with our partners and be in agreement before taking any action. We don't need any "lone rangers" out there. JRutledge will not want to work with you! (And I don't blame him)

Something like this, yeah. Not letting administrators, ADs, and others avoid their own responsibilities.