2019 NFHS Questionnaire

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

I would disagree with this. It may not always make the game better, but in the majority of games where I have seen, the coach who has to sit ends up focusing more on coaching and less of arguing with officials. That does help the game.

Close but not quite correct. The TECH is what causes the coach to focus more on coaching, not the act of having to sit down. And refs would call more techs if it didn’t require having to go over there and tell the coach to sit.

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

I've also never had a coach turn hostile when reminded. If the coach doesn't sit on his own during the administration, the official passing by once play is resumed issues a simple reminder "coach you'll need to sit". Never had any issues there.

Whether the coach sits on his own or not it irrelevant — we have to tell him. Otherwise he can claim he never was told and create a pain in the ass when we tech him later for standing.

[HokiePaul]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Close but not quite correct. The TECH is what causes the coach to focus more on coaching, not the act of having to sit down. And refs would call more techs if it didn’t require having to go over there and tell the coach to sit.

I think it is a little of both. Probably also depends on the coach

Originally Posted by AremRed

Whether the coach sits on his own or not it irrelevant — we have to tell him. Otherwise he can claim he never was told and create a pain in the ass when we tech him later for standing.

Maybe this is a local thing, but almost universally in my area, we do not make a point of going to tell the coach. They all know and most of them find a seat without being told. If they don't find a seat by the time the ball is in play, the official who passes by will remind them. Or the first time they stand up we will remind them.

[frezer11]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Close but not quite correct. The TECH is what causes the coach to focus more on coaching, not the act of having to sit down. And refs would call more techs if it didn’t require having to go over there and tell the coach to sit.

I would argue that you too are close but not quite correct. You're right about the Tech being the cause of coaches focusing on coaching, however I think there are very few techs if any not called because the official doesn't want to make the coach sit down. I've never once considered that when making a decision as to what to call. So would removal of the seatbelt allow officials to call more techs? I'd like to hope not. That should have no part of the decision. If a coach is acting out of line, then use the tools you have the way they are intended.

Now with all that said, the discussion in this thread has actually moved me from pro-seatbelt rule to neutral. A lot of good points made for eliminating it, especially the idea that it would be one less thing distracting us from actually calling the game, but I do agree with Paintguru's point that the bench warning option eases any guilt that some (not me) might feel about a seatbelt rule. I'm still in favor of the rule for now, but I'm riding the fence a bit.