Local girls' 7th grade tournament.

Both new coaches are behaving themselves and are really into coaching, encouraging and directing, but I noticed they were basically walkin' and talkin' from midcourt to the end of the bench area.

During a stoppage, I turned to one of the coaches and asked if she was comfortable with where the coaching box was located. She said "The what?" I pointed about 12' upcourt and she said, "That's it!!?".

So, now I was obliged at the next earliest convenience to ask the other coach if she thought the coaching box was too small. She said, "What coaching box!??" I pointed it out about 8' down court and she said, "No one has ever said anything about that to me. I didn't even know about it."

Knowing how Jr.High ball is run, I believed everything these coaches told me, and they believed me, too. I watched with some amusement as they would stray a little and then the light would come on and they'd start looking for where they were supposed to be.

At the end of the game, I explained to one of the coaches, "Now that you know there is a coaching box, what you may want to do is to see how far you can stretch it's use without aggravating anyone."

(During a dead ball near a bench, somewhere in the middle of notification of the boxes and the end of the game, a cute little ballplayer asked, "Mr Referee? Why does my coach have to stand in one place? Is that special for this tournament?" (<I>I think the coaching box as in front of her chair</I> ;))

mick

Doesn't surprise me, I coached for 2-3 years before I knew there was a box.

There's a box??
 

I thought that was only when they taped it on the floor in Ohio :)

[Edited by Hawks Coach on Oct 25th, 2003 at 07:21 AM]

Well done. ;)

a new method
 

I don't even bother with the coaching boxes anymore in my games. I simply start the game with simultaneous technical fouls on an assistant coach from each team, don't shoot any free throws, put one team foul up for each side, and then have a jump ball.
This keeps the head coaches in line just fine!

Re: a new method
 

Forget the Tower Philosophy. I'm going to memorize the Nevada Power Maneuver. It also gives you the "advantage" of being able to toss the assistant the first time he gets a little mouthy, since they already has one T. My only question is, what does your assignor think of this?

Re: a new method
 

Note to self . . . . . .

:D

Here (Wisconsin), the box is only for Varsity level. Anything below they are seatbelted.

Mregor

Why???
 

Re: Why???
 

I think Wisconsin is relatively new to the coaching box.
They are probably easing that coaching tool into the basketball programs.

On some games, I am just trying to keep them off the court
 

In sub jarsity games, the coaches seem to stretch that box a bit. Often to the half court line. I usually politely tell them to remain in place.

My favorite manuver is to buzz by them on a fast break. Kinda like a Sap manuver without the contact, but really close. They get the message.

I like the quick T at the begining of the game, but don't think I could pull it off. Good to think about though.

I remembered I was educated that the Scorers Table has to be as clear as possible, for the game clock operator, scorer & 24 sec operator to have the best view. Moreover, the refs and them will have the clear path for communication. Therefore, the set-up of the Coaches Box is mandatory

Re: a new method
 

Awesome thought!!...even if I think it's a little bush-league...and it wouldn't work at the varsity or higher level.

In Indiana, I tell them, "Coach, I don't care where you are as long as you are coaching. If you want to complain to me or yell at me, your feet better be in the box."

Re: On some games, I am just trying to keep them off the court
 

:rolleyes:

Just ask/tell 'em. Be direct. Be professional. Take charge. Don't play little games.

Re: Re: a new method
 

I think that maybe...just maybe...Nevada may have been a little "tongue-in-cheek" with his comment above.:D

Indy, I agree fully with you about telling the coach what you said above. Now, he knows exactly where he stands and what you expect of him. If he now goes too far,well hey,he's been warned.