Coach talking the talk.

[Pantherdreams]

COach from a varsity team last weekend. Coached a skilled team that was super tiny/slight compared to opposition and for level in general. They played fast and free, lots of on ball pressure but didn't complain about calls against his kids. Pretty enjoyable games to officiate really.

Obviously much larger opponents plan was to grind pace of game way down and try to use advantages inside and on boards.

What tactics teams use is normally not a big deal to me but creates the context for the following convo:

Timeout during quarter 3. HC waits in coaches box with AC takes team to huddle.

HC: Mr. Referee can I have a word.

I approach.

HC: Look I've got zero issue with you whistling our kids when get in on the ball handler. We are pressuring and if we cause contact that is impeding them or breaking their rhythm keep blowing it we'll talk to them about their foot work. The ball handler has no expectation of time and space but you keep calling it the way you guys are doing. The off ball stuff is an issue. They (points at other team) are bodying up every cutter, every screen, every player rebounding. Off ball players have an expectation that time and space applies and that they can move around the court freely with enough distance to stop, move without being contacted. If illegal pressure is what we are doing to disadvantage them then blocking and illegal contact with off ball players to slow us down, get us off balance and beat us up is what they are doing. If the 4 kids getting hit every set could get some of the grace the ball carriers are getting that would be great. Thanks for your time.

Walks back to his huddle to tell them to get back onto the floor.


1) Should there be any response from us as officials to him or between officials n response to this specific request if he just walks away without continuing convo or asking question?

2) What AD made sure his coaches read the rule book and where do we get more of them

3) If there is a disparity in size compounded by style of play would you adjust how you call a varsity game based on a disproportional impact it may have one one group?

[Raymond]

His comments require no response other than to examine the way you are calling the game in regards freedom of movement for all players, not just ball handlers.





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[Raymond]

I also never buy into the "don't penalize a team/player because they are bigger" argument.

Larger players create illegal contact also. I'm 6'5/260lb, I absolutely hate it when coaches or other officials (not saying you) use that as reasoning for not calling fouls.

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[bob jenkins]

1) Thank you.. We'll look for it. Then, if there is no call the next time maybe a brief "all that was legal" the next time you run past.

3) Well, "disproportional impact" is kind of the definition of a foul. So, you might have two bigs who lean on each other, and that's nothing. The next game you might have a big and a little, and when the big leans, the little gets moved, and that's a foul (<-- not meant to be taken literally)

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Thank you ... We'll look for it.

Agree, except for the, "Thank you" part.