T-ing the Assistant Coaches
 

Last night I was working a boys Varsity game. The players were pretty good and the head coaches were pretty good. My question is how do you handle assistant coaches?

Here is my situation starting from the opening tip: Every time that Team A had the ball, the Assistant Coach (AC) would yell "TRAVEL." When I say every time, I mean every single possesion. Well, with 12 minutes to go in the 1st half the post player for Team A does the McHale move (pivoting baseline, pivoting towards the free throw line area, faking a fade-a-way, then stepping under for the lay-up). Anyone that has seen this move knows how effective it is......as long as the player keeps his pivot foot. The AC stands up and yells "TRAVEL" right at me. So, I waited for the ball to go through the hoop and T him.

The head coach is quite upset about not getting a warning. I rarely call T's on coaches, but it seems to me that AC's are getting a little full of themselver around here.

What is your policy for policing AC's ??

you DONT handle the assistant -- if hes giving you a problem -- all you need to tell the HC -- "Your assistant is about to cost you" they know what to do

The specific instance that you describe is obviously a T. You did fine on that play. However, you should have addressed this problem much earlier and you know it. It obviously bothered you that the AC was saying travel on every possession. On the second or third time that this happened, you should have informed the HC that this will not be tolerated. Take care of this early and it won't be a problem later.

Agree here. If he was doing it everytime up and down the court then you should have addressed it immediately, shouldn't have taken 12 minutes in.

Actually, we play 18 minute halves........we had only played 6 minutes at the time. I couldn't believe I was T-ing the AC this early in the game.

did you try to resolve it BEFORE the T -- if you answer NO then that is why you couldn't believe you were T-ing him

Gee, you're a nice guy, Nevada. The first time an assistant coach says that to me, he/she gets a warning. Next time-->whacko.

All he's trying to do is influence the call, which is wrong no matter what coach is saying it. I won't let a head coach do that either. Nip it. Nip it in the bud.

I agree. First time AC runs his mouth I'll tell the HC he needs to get his bench under control. Next time he pipes up - automatic T.....and HC gets the seatbelt as it's also an indirect T on him.

I am a little nice every once in a while. I probably would ignore the first comment, unless it was an outburst or derogatory. I'd likely start the crackdown process on the second occurrence.

This situation could have been solved without a T. All you had to do is say something to the head coach right in front of the assistant and I bet you would have not heard another word. I guess it would depend on situation and circumstance. I had a situation last night were I just turned to the bench and ask the head coach directly so that all the bench could hear me and said, "You are the head coach right?" He said "yes." Then I said, "I do not want to hear from him anymore." I did not hear another word the rest of the night. This usually works well. I can only think of one time in the last few years where I have had to give a T on an AC.

Peace

First time I get an opportunity to warn the head coach, I do. Then, his ace is mine. ;)

Evenso, there's no reason the head coach should be surprised by the T. If he had taken care of his business, you wouldn't have had to.

Why warn in this situation? Every rules meeting that I attended they did not speak on giving the AC's warning. I think if I can hear it, the HC can hear this. The HC should take care of it on his or her own. I know; I know don't be a PLUMBER.

Since you said you needed approval for a warning. Do you give a T immediately to any coach or player that even tries to question your judgment or influence your decision? That means 99% of every game would have a T no matter what the circumstances. If you use reasonable judgment in other situations, they I do not see why you expect letter to the law application on this one?

Peace

its not about just being a plumber -- its also about being an azz -- most reasonable people try and avoid sticky situations rationally -- in this instance rationality would warrant a "coach shut him the @#$@ up or I will" -- or something to that effect :)

The same reason you say things like, "Hey you two, knock it off," or "Black, get out of the lane," before blowing your whistle. Give the HC a chance to control his bench if it's not immediately necessary but you sense a pending problem. If the first problem you see is the AC with a foot on the court doing the Locomotion, ring him up right away.

I "T"ed up a head coach 2 weeks ago in less than 2 minutes in the game....talk about a short fuse..mine was very short that night.

Two seasons ago I T'd a coach 4 minutes into the first game of the season. It's the one time I used the stop sign :eek:. Didn't work too well b/c the coach proceeded to walk out of his coach's box while continuing his belly-aching, so then I had to use the sTop sign!!! :D

I agree with most here. The first time I hear anything from an assistant I talk to the head coach, the second (and there shouldn't be one) I use the T. It sounds like maybe you could have talked to the HC in your situation. I think I've warned coaches about assistants about once a week this season. Tuesday night a HC had a question (i.e. complaint but in a nice way) and as I was talking to him the AC jumped in with his opinion. I just said, "Coach, we are more than happy to answer your questions tonight, but we will not be listening to anything from your assistants." We didn't hear from him again. On the other bench, I had a similar situation, but as the assistant coach started to give his opinion, he realized he was going to get himself in trouble and put a finger to his own mouth and shushed himself. I thought it was pretty funn.

I am pleased with my year in dealing with theaterical coach's. I have no T's all year.

That said , assisstant's are another issue completly. There is WAY too much going on in a game to add in 2 assisstants to have to talk to, monitor, listen to, please, respond to, etc.

Do yourself a favor and control them early and ONCE.

My fellow officials,
unlike Old School, I understand what goes on:D . I would not give an immediatley T in that situation. I know to inform the coach. I have done it in the past. I also know it's about communication with the HC. I like being that individual who likes to present an alternative perspective:D Other comments?

The reason I do not want to give an immediate T, because I think it looks better that you addressed a situation and you give a T after a clear warning. That does not mean you do not ever T a coach for getting out of hand on the first bad behavior. I just think if all the coach is doing is crying for a travel, hand check or some little foul, go to the HC and give them a chance to correct it. If they cannot handle their coach, then it is T time.

I know I have been criticized for saying this before, but if you have a certain presence and know how to talk to a HC, you can eliminate a lot of problems. I have also found that if you address the behavior and not the issue that they are complaining about, then you might find out you will not need to give a T at all. I had two coaches after I said something to the HC turn around and say, "Will you guys shut up!!"

Peace

what happens when u warn the coach and he turns around and says "will you guys shut the !@#$ up?!" haha

Nothing. I do not get involved in what teams say to each other.

Peace

That would be a regional thing and depend on what word you're editing. :)

Of course your life experience may lead you to react differently to that word. That word may offend you, but I may find it to not be offensive. :D