Coaching Question

[Jim Armstrong]

I just finished my first season, sometimes I really feel like I'm working a great game, other times I still feel like a freakin rookie. I had something happen in my last game, that I hadn't seen yet. The head coach of team A, at the beginning of the second half, sat down, and the Asst. coach got up, and started using the coaching box. I asked my partner if this was ok, and he said it was, as long as both coaches weren't standing up coaching at the same time. Is this correct? Also what if the head coach loses the box due to indirect T's. The box is lost for the game right? The Asst. can't take over the box in that situation, correct?
I don't have my rule book handy, and thought I could get a quick answer from the board. Thanks!

[BigDave]

You are correct. The assistant cannot stand. If the head coach loses the box, the box is gone for the remainder of the game.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally posted by Jim Armstrong
The head coach of team A, at the beginning of the second half, sat down, and the Asst. coach got up, and started using the coaching box. I asked my partner if this was ok, and he said it was, as long as both coaches weren't standing up coaching at the same time. Is this correct?

In a word - NO!!!!!

[Dave Brost]

Mark is correct. The head coach, and only the head coach has the coaching box privilege. He cannot designate someone else, or change at some point. If the coaching box is lost due to a technical, the box is lost for the remainder of the game. Also, the coach must now stay seated on his bench. He cannot even be kneeling, with contact to the bench. At least this is the rule in Wisconsin, which has the seat-belt rule.

[Slider]

Originally posted by Jim Armstrong
The head coach of team A, at the beginning of the second half, sat down, and the Asst. coach got up, and started using the coaching box. I asked my partner if this was ok, and he said it was, as long as both coaches weren't standing up coaching at the same time. Is this correct?

If the switch is permanent or semi-permanent (quarters or halves), I wouldn't have a problem with it. But, they should have talked to the referee before making the switch.

Also, I wouldn't allow the switch (or switch back) if a coach had any indirect T's.

Let the assistant get the experience, IMO.

[tharbert]

Slider, would you do this in a NFHS game or rec league? I could see it in a developmental league but not during a high school contest. If a varsity coach came to you before the game and said he was giving his box to his assistant, then, folks, we have a new head coach for the night. You are stacking the deck against you allowing tag team coaching!