Pennsylvania re-evaluating coach's box

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Ref in PA

We have been told repeatedly by our interpreter to enforce the coaches box with almost no tolerance. To me it is not a problem, but the State feels it is. I point out the box in my pregame with the coaches, I give one warning. After that I have had little or no problem with coaches. If they get their T, they earned it at that point.

I'm just guessing here, but it's probably no problem in your area because you and your fellow officials are following your interpreter's instructions and calling the box uniformly. Coaches then know exactly what to expect, so they can adapt. That's the way it should be-for both sides.

It is a problem though if only some officials enforce the rule properly and others refuse to. Coaches don't know what they can get away with. Officials that enforce the box properly then run into coaches who wander and yap because they've been allowed to do that. It turns into a mess. And it's basically our fault imo for not enforcing the rules properly and uniformly in the first place.

[BLydic]

The WPIAL has also asked us to include a reminder to the coaches, during pregame, regarding the intent of the coaching box and that it will be dealt with zero tolerance. While discussing this at our chapter meeting, it seemed coaches were getting tossed more for their antics than abusing the coaching box. I think the majority of coaches seem to be more effective when they can stand and coach. So while some may abuse, most are respecting the option because they see the same results. Just need to take care of the few who aren't getting it.

[Back In The Saddle]

We were given similar direction last year in my state. Officials were told that enforcing the box would even be a criteria used when selecting officials for the post-season. We were told that if enforcement didn't improve, the state may even withdraw the coaches box.

This may sound a bit cynical, but...

Great. Fantastic. Why should I care? The box does nothing for me except create more work. So what if the state withdraws the coaching box? How does that hurt me? If the state wants coaches to stay in the box, they can talk to the coaches. Threaten them. They're the ones that lose out if the box is taken away. Let the coaches vote whether to keep the box by cleaning up their own act.

Why is the official being stuck in the middle of this?

[Adam]

I gotta say I wouldn't be all that concerned with dumping the box myself. I've done it both ways, and coaches are generally quieter without it. But, I've found it's easier to talk to them when their up and mobile.