Mouthy Assistant Coach (Kinda long)

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by mick

As long as we "play nicely", questioning a call, discussing the weather and other pleasantries seem to be implied and encouraged.
You're right the rules do not allow, but likewise they do not disallow (as written in some diamond games) questions on judgement.

Actually, Mick, rule 10-5 tells you exactly what the coach's duties are supposed to consist of while the game is being played. Coaches are not supposed to be doing anything except actually coach,outside of those listed duties that are found in that rule. Nowhere can anything be found in the rules that implies or encourages a coach to question an official's call. It's true that it may be almost a standardized practise, but there is no actual rules basis to allow rules questions from any other participant than a team captain. Of course, having said that, I don't think that I know of even one official that strictly follows these rules. Common sense and local practise usually prevail.

From the 2001/2002 Points of Emphasis on Bench Decorum:
-"With rules permission to increase the size of the optional coaching box, the committee again stresses the importance of the coach to properly conduct him/herself. Coaches must stay within the optional coaching box and are ONLY permitted to give instructions to players and substitutes. Coaches using the optional coaching box do not have implied permission to roam the sidelines, attempt to influence the decision of an official, or conduct themselves in an unsporting manner."
-"Consistent with rules 10-4-1g and 10-5-2, bench personnel, including assistant coaches....,must remain seated unless spontaneously responding to an outstanding play".
-"Assistant coaches are not authorized to go to the scorer's table at any time. A team manager or statistician may obtain information from the scorer's table when the clock is stopped and the ball is dead. The head coach is is permitted to go to the scorer's table to request a 60-second time-out to confer with personnel regarding a correctible error, ot to prevent or rectify a timing or scoring mistake/error or an alternating possession mistake.

The rules were written so that the coaches will coach and the referees will referee.

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on May 10th, 2004 at 01:11 PM]