All right, here's your chance to sound off to coaches, if you're interested. I'm going to give a memo to the 11 coaches that work in our parish CYO program (and possibly post the memo on coachingyouthbasketball.net) how to treat the refs during games.

Already in the memo is not to argue rules unless you've actually read a rule book, don't try to show up the ref, keep the kids from arguing with the ref, basketball is a contact sport (don't yell "foul" every time one of your players is touched), recognize that noone can see every play.

If anyone would like to add anything, please feel free to respond. Keep it clean, please. Maybe we can reduce at least some of the howling.

<I>Send this copy along.</I>

"The Tower Philosophy".
"The Tower Philosophy" is not a written document but a guiding principle used by editors of the rules committee. The Tower Philosophy came from Oswald Tower, a past Editor of the Rules committee and was espoused by his predecessor, John Bunn.

Rules Philosophy and Principles

"As a result of observing officiating in various parts of the U.S.A. and internationally and responding to the many inquiries that have come to the atttention of the Editor for a response as to the official ruling of a certain situation that occurred, there are some principles that evidence themselves as being basic to the answer of the majority of inquiries. They reflect a need for thought towards a realistic approach to officiating rather than a literal approach. A well-officiated ball game is one in which the official has called the game in accordance with the spirit and intent of the basketball rules as established by the Rules Committee. In effect, it is a realistic approach rather than a literalistic approach.

The basic and fundamental responsibility of a basketball official, while officiating a contest, is to have the game proceed and played with as little interference as possible on the part of the official. This is not to say that he is not to blow the whistle when a rule has been violated; but it is one of not seeking ways to call infractions not intended by the spirit and intent of the rule.

Some thirty years ago, John Bunn phrased for the Basketball Rules Committee what was called the 'Oswald Tower Philosophy', and it best represents what the Rules Committee believes and supports regarding the officiating of a contest. The philosophy is expressed as followed:

'It is the purpose of the rules to penalize a player who by reason of an illegal act has placed his opponent at a disadvantage.'

It represents a realistic approach to guide the judgment of officials in making decisions on all situations where the effect upon the play is the key factor in determining whether or not a rule violation has occurred.

As an illustration, Rule 10 - Section 10 of the rules states, 'A player shall not contact an opponent with his hand unless such contact is only with the opponent's hand while it is on the ball and is incidental to an attempt to play the ball...' If an official did not take a realistic approach to this particular rule and officiated the rule literally, the basketball game would be one of continual fouls and whistle blowing. A good official realizes that contact, not only in the instance cited previously, but also in other aspects of the game must be looked at in terms of the effect it creates on the opponent. If there is no apparent disadvantage to an opponent then, realistically speaking, no rule violation has occurred. The official must use discretion in applying this rule and all rules.

The "Tower Philosophy" stated in another manner is as follows:

'It is not the intent that the rules shall be interpreted literally, rather they should be applied in relation to the effect which the action of the players has upon their opponents. If they are unfairly affected as a result of a violation of rules, then the transgressor shall be penalized. If there has been no appreciable effect upon the progress of the game, then the game shall not be interrupted. The act should be ignored. It is incidental and not vital. Realistically and practically, no violation has occurred.'

The Rules Committee has, over the years, operated under this fundamental philosophy in establishing its interpretations so far as officiating is concerned. Obviously, this philosophy assumes that the official has a thorough understanding of the game. Officials are hired to officiate basketball games because the employer believes that he has basketball intelligence and an understanding of the mood and climate that prevails during a basketball game. The excellent official exercises mature judgment in each play situation in light of the basic philosophy stated. Inquiries indicate that some coaches and officials are too concerned over trivial or unimportant details about play situations during the game. Much time and thought is wasted in digging up hyper-technicalities, which are of little or no significance. In the Editor's travels, he finds that, unfortunately in some Rules Clinics and officials' meetings and interpretation sessions there are those who would sidetrack the 'bread and butter' discussions too often and get involved with emotional discussions over situations that might happen once in a lifetime. In many instances, these very same officials are looking for a mechanical device and many times it is these very officials who are the ultra-literal minded, strict constructionists who have no faith in their own evaluation or judgment. This minority are those who are categorized as the excessive whistle blowers who are not enhancing our game: in fact, they hurt the game. They are the very ones who want a spelled-out and detailed rule for every tiny detail to replace judgment. The Basketball Rules Committee is looking for the official with a realistic and humanistic approach in officiating the game of basketball. Did he violate the spirit and intended purpose of the rule?"

very well put by Mick and his quoting of Towers.

We are generally looking for violations/fouls that create advantages and disadvantages along with sportsmanship.

Youth coaches who create an environment of sportsmanship and respect will generally see the same attitude from their players and their parents and vis-versa for those who are chronic complainers. We'll know that when that coach finally does question a call, maybe he's onto something.

Keep your assistants in their seats.

Tell them not to stare at the referees during TO's.

Exactly.

They should be staring at the final standings of the American League east.

BTW, NY/Anaheim, STL/Houston

NY beats STL in 6.

IMO.

They should be staring at the final standings of the American League east.

BTW, NY/Anaheim, STL/Houston

NY beats STL in 6.

IMO. [/B][/QUOTE]Naw, gotta hope for NY/Boston. I'll post why in the other thread. Don't wanna get charged with screwing up this thread too. :D

The proper mechanic.
 

Naw, gotta hope for NY/Boston. I'll post why in the other thread. Don't wanna get charged with screwing up this thread too. :D [/B][/QUOTE]

What?
Nuts screwing up threads?
Then, you'll need an extractor.
mick

I would change the tone...
 

I would change the tone/tact of your comment and separate the thoughts.

• Suggest that you read the rulebook. Invite us to come and speak about specific rules.
  Be professional just as you expect the Officials to be professional - don't try to show-up the Ref.
  Do not allow players to confront/argue with the Ref. Any discussions should be between the coach and the official.
  Based upon the Tower Philosophy, every foul and violation is not going to be called. Accept that fact and don't scream and holler for a call that an official has already decided not to call. Again, remember to be professional.

Reading a rulebook does not give one authority to argue...:D
There always remains the courtesy of professionalism.

Re: I would change the tone...
 

Based on the Tower Philosophy, not all contact is a foul. All fouls will still be called.

Mick,

If you give coaches something that lengthy, most of them won't read it.

Besides, a lot of youth leagues don't want the tower philosophy. They just want a tight game with very little contact and all violations called rather than some adv/dis.

Z

Golden Rule
 

Perhaps a simple reminder of the Golden Rule is all that's really needed. Treat the officials with the same respect you expect to receive.

Of course you should probably remind the officials to treat the coaches with the respect that they expect from the coaches.

I ask that they remember that just because they are talking to their players, it is not professional to talk inappropriately about the referees in ear shot of them.

Correction, condracek. It's not smart to talk inappropriately about the officials when we are within earshot. It's not professional to talk inappropriately about the officals at all; especially to their players. That's scapegoating of the worst kind, and teaches a bad lesson to the kids.

Don't always assume the referee is wrong
Yelling at the referee constantly will not help your team, and could eventually hurt (via the technical foul)

SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!!!!
 

That is all I have to say.

Peace

Rut,

I'm sure that's what we are all thinking... but never get a chance to say.

I know. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_2_107.gif' alt='Shut Up' border=0></a>

Happy I could oblige.

Peace

Re: SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!!!!
 

Rut, Rut, Rut....
C'mon now!
"Anything" is <U>never</U> all you have to say. ;)
mick

Z,
I dunno about youth leagues, so if you say it's so, I believe you.
But what if just one coach read it, and then, what if he just happened to mention it?
Then,... drip by drip by drip....
Shucks, if there's a soap box why not step on up? :)
mick

I'm thinking about trying this one:

"Coach, the better you are at your job, the better I can be at my job."

The problem with youth league games is always that the referees at that level are generally inexperienced in how to deal with coaches, so the coaches, not to mention the parents in the stands following the coach's lead, get away with murder. I think that if an almost zero-tolerance policy were put into place at the youth level that the amount of abuse would taper significantly. At the youth level, there are too many inexperienced coaches who want to be Bobby Knight and too many inexperienced officials who can't handle them.

Mick,

I'm a hopeless optimist too. Go with it. :)

Z

Be careful in how you communicate these various opinions to the coaches. You don't want it to sound adversarial. If the coaches are put on the defensive before the season begins you may find more problems than you solve.

Also look out for the message. Telling someone they need to read the rule book before they argue about the rules is fine. However, once they do read the book, the officials better know and enforce the rules that are in the book. That initial comment can come back to bite you.

And you'd better hope the coach has studied the different interpretations and knows which ones apply in his locale. Even us refs don't agree about some things, and coaches need to be willing to let the refs do the interpreting.

"Guarding is the act of legally placing your body in the path of an offensive opponent. THERE IS NO MINIMUM DISTANCE REQUIRED between the guard and opponent...." 4-23-1

So stop yelling, "get him off,” Teach your dribbler to move better. I'm not going to penalize great defensive work.

Thanks for all your suggestions. By the way, I'm not too worried that any of my coaches will actually go out and purchase a rule book, but I'll let them know they should go through me before bringing up specific rules with refs.