I know that the rule says that if we do not have the new coaches box marked, that we are to revert back to the old 6 feet box. But what if you are on a court that does not have either? How do you enforce the coaching box?

I did a game today at a college gym in the Chicago Public League and they did not have any coaches boxes marked at all. I really did not know what to do, but we did not have any problems. But how do you enforce a unmarked court?

Peace

The NFHS Rules state that the coaches are to remain seated except in a few defined instances. The Rules also state that a State Association may adopt a Coaching Box (many coaches read that a Coach's Box, but they are grossly wrong). If a State Association adopts a Coaching Box, the court must be marked with it; if the Coaching Box is not marked on the court, there is not Coaching Box for that game even though the State Association adopted a Coaching Box.

I usually just get some tape, measure out about 6 feet, and go from there.

If there's no box, they must remain seated, except when they can stand by rule. I inform them prior to the game, so that game management can make a box if they want to.

JRut,

Now I am not saying that I would condone this ;), but if you decided to give the coaches a 6' box on an unmarked floor, it would be the width of the first 3 chairs.

Those sound like pretty wide chairs!

This may be oversimplistic, but it's pretty easy. Tell the coaches that they wont be standing up unless we have a box. We'll help get the distances... but you need some tape... They get the tape and we help step off boxes and put some tape down . Shows them we arent just mean SOB's.... (even if we are) If they helped then they know where the boxes are and what they look like. That way when they are out of it just a whining, complaining.... Whack! NO EXCUSE!

Rut,
The 28' mark was there, yo?
I'd tell 'em to stay in that area, and then start the game.
If there was a problem, then let's get some tape.
Are there other rules that I'll not enforce during the game?...I guess we'll have to see.
mick

If you are going to use the tape, get it down before the game. There is nothing worse than a delay in the game so the officials can put down a coach's box.

later is worser
 

Big Dave, that sounds like a very proper way to approach the problem, but I like to presuppose proper posturing of the partcipating people.
So, , although I agree with you, I'll miss mentioning the unmarked box until the moving mandibles make it mandatory.
mick

It is not a Coach's box is it a COACHING box. In both the NFHS and NCAA Rules it is defined as a coaching box, not a coach's box. It is a coaching box for a reason, the head coach is supposed to coach his team, not a bully pulpit for the head coach.

Some of you may think that I am being anal but if we are to be treated as professionals we must use the correct language of our profession. Calling it a coach's box is just like calling a player control foul an offensive foul in games played under NFHS/NCAA rules; there is no such thing as an offensive foul under these rules.

Having officiated for many years without a coaching box, and not needing one , I like Mick's approach - use the 28 ft marks ,if they are there , and tell both coaches prior to the game. If they are not there establish another boundary!
Pistol