Coaching Box Court Markings

[griblets]

NFHS 1-13-2 new language states:

"A line, perpendicular to the 28-foot line and placed at each end, with a minimum length of 2 feet, shall be extended toward the team bench so that the coaching box boundary is evident."

I believe that this is only trying to clarify the coaching box mark 28' from the end line. Others in our association believe this requires a coaching box mark at the end line in addition to the mark at 28' from the end line. This has resulted our association requiring officials to use tape at the end line to mark the coaching box. Is anyone else doing this?

Supporting my view is the Simplified and Illustrated Rules, page 25, where the court diagram shows only a coaching box mark 28' from the end line. How do you interpret the new language?

On a side note, wouldn't a line perpendicular to the 28-foot line be the sideline?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by griblets

NFHS 1-13-2 new language states:

"A line, perpendicular to the 28-foot line and placed at each end, with a minimum length of 2 feet, shall be extended toward the team bench so that the coaching box boundary is evident."

I believe that this is only trying to clarify the coaching box mark 28' from the end line. Others in our association believe this requires a coaching box mark at the end line in addition to the mark at 28' from the end line. This has resulted our association requiring officials to use tape at the end line to mark the coaching box. Is anyone else doing this?

Supporting my view is the Simplified and Illustrated Rules, page 25, where the court diagram shows only a coaching box mark 28' from the end line. How do you interpret the new language?

On a side note, wouldn't a line perpendicular to the 28-foot line be the sideline?

It's been discussed before.

The "28' line" is the "portion of the sideline extending 28' from the end line toward the division line" So, perpendicular to this would be perpendicular to the sideline.

And, at least here, the mark at the end line is not required. You should ask your state for clarification.

[DrPete]

The 28' coaching box which we usually describe, only applies to courts 84' or longer. If the court is shorter, then the coaching box is marked 14' from the division line, and extends to the endline from there.

*1.13.2 SITUATION C:

Officials arrive at a contest with a court length of less than 84 feet. There are no lines on the floor for the coaching box. Where should the coaching box be marked?

RULING: On a court of less than 84 feet, the coaching box should be marked from the division line 14 feet toward the end line. The coaching box will extend from that mark toward the end line based on the state association's permitted coaching box length. In this case, because the court is not 84 feet, the box may be shorter than 28 feet

[CallMeMrRef]

While the language in the rule book is poorly written, I believe the explanation in this case book play indicates that there should be a beginning and ending to the coaches box. In PA, the stated position is - if the box is not marked, there is no coaching box that night (however, I have not seen many officials enforce it in this manner).


*1.13.2 SITUATION C:

Officials arrive at a contest with a court length of less than 84 feet. There are no lines on the floor for the coaching box. Where should the coaching box be marked?

RULING: On a court of less than 84 feet, the coaching box should be marked from the division line 14 feet toward the end line. The coaching box will extend from that mark toward the end line based on the state association's permitted coaching box length. In this case, because the court is not 84 feet, the box may be shorter than 28 feet. On a court that is 84 feet in length or more, the coaching box will be marked from the end line 28 feet toward the division line. A mark off the court on the sideline is placed at the 28-foot line and another mark off the court at the end line will indicate the end of the coaching box if the state association adoption is a 28-foot coaching box.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by CallMeMrRef

In PA, the stated position is - if the box is not marked, there is no coaching box that night (however, I have not seen many officials enforce it in this manner).

Same in Connecticut.

Coaching boxes must be marked, if not, home team will lose the coaching box, visiting team will have the
coaching box, notify commissioner.

Also seldom enforced.

[DrPete]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Same in Connecticut.

Coaching boxes must be marked, if not, home team will lose the coaching box, visiting team will have the
coaching box, notify commissioner.

Also seldom enforced.

I have heard this as well, but cannot find any rules or case book reference. Can you cite a rule to back this up, perhaps from an old case book?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by DrPete

I have heard this as well, but cannot find any rules or case book reference. Can you cite a rule to back this up, perhaps from an old case book?

This is not a NFHS interpretation, but one of the edicts from our state interscholastic sports governing body:

- Health care professionals and coaches will determine whether, or not, players have been concussed. Officials will only observe and advise and are never to use the term "concussion" in describing an injury to a coach.
- Coaching boxes must be marked, if not, home team will lose the coaching box, visiting team will have the coaching box, notify commissioner.
- Team members are not allowed to congregate at division line, or on school logo, during introductions.
- If the head coach refuses to attend pregame meeting notify commissioner.

[LRZ]

In the PIAA 2017-2018 Post-Season Bulletin, there was this passage:

"Two lines are required to mark the coaching box, at the 28’ mark and at the end line. Tape may be used to mark the box. No marks, no box! Merely mention at the pregame meeting that there will be no coaching box tonight since none is marked."

No mention about why preventive officiating should not be employed--"Coach, before game time, you gotta put some tape down."

[SC Official]

The mark on the endline is pointless. Most coaches understand that they aren't supposed to go beyond that boundary, nor do they have any reason to.

Most of our schools only have the 28-foot line marked. I guess I could make an issue and ask them to put tape down on the endline, but I don't, and clearly other officials don't, either.

[LRZ]

Originally Posted by SC Official

The mark on the endline is pointless. Most coaches understand that they aren't supposed to go beyond that boundary, nor do they have any reason to.

Most of our schools only have the 28-foot line marked. I guess I could make an issue and ask them to put tape down on the endline, but I don't, and clearly other officials don't, either.

I agree. Here in PA, PIAA is extremely bureaucratic, mandating all kinds of inane, micro-managing rules.