Good T/Or Time Out?

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I'll just state that you are yet another example of why this was a POE for two consecutive seasons. The NFHS flat-out says that officials aren't enforcing the rule.

While I don't disagree, I think the main reason was I heard many officials use the phrase, "If the coach ain't talking to me, I'm not worried about what they're doing, especially if they're coaching their team." So this wasn't an occasion step or two or ten out of the box, this was an all-game occurance. I believe that was what they were addressing. But since they allow us to give a warning or reminder, this tells me we have discretion before calling the T, and it is not automatic.

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Perhaps he should learn to communicate his desire to his players on the court and one of them can run over right next to an official and make the request.
There is also written language from the NFHS that coaches have to learn that their requests may not always be seen or heard and that it is their responsibility to communicate clearly and get the attention of the officials.

Agreed.

But, you didn't answer my question. What would you do in that particular situation, and why?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

If college coaches with their jobs and livelihoods on the line can stay in the boxes, then so can HS coaches, even when they are excited.

See, I find this to be a flawed analogy. HS coaches aren't always the most experienced people we run into. Sometimes we have to remind the coaches. Sometimes they get a bit excited at the end of the game. It doesn't give them a free pass, but I also don't think it betters the game, our standing with the teams and conferences we work for, and with the coaches and players by just whacking first and saying they should've known better later.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by PIAA REF

The other night I was officiating a boys varsity game, late in the game with about a minute left I had a foul on the visiting team (at this point the it was a 6 point game) The foul was on a successful layup, it was a no doubter. As I went to the table to report the foul I look over and the visiting coach is barking instructions to his players from the court, and when I say court I mean he is standing 8-10 feet on the court. Earlier in the game he was a foot out of the box talking to his players and we mentioned it to him that he needed to stay in his box. When I saw him that far on the court my instincts took over and I gave him a T. After the fact the only other thing I thought maybe I could have done was given him a timeout, but should I? What would you guys have done.

Game: Ontario Provincial Bronze Medal game back in 2003 I think it was.

I'm there watching with some buddies and late in the game, the covering official passes on calling this T when a coach is 8-10 feet out onto the court. He claimed that he didn't see the coach. Of course, had that been true, the official would have had to be blind. Everyone had their own opinion on the play: opposing team's fans were yelling for a T. Same team fans were yelling at the opposing team's fans to s.u. Other coach was not happy, iirc. Officials in the stands were stunned.

Years later, the official admitted that he didn't want to affect the game (4th quarter in the bronze medal game). He took quite a bit of ribbing for his decision, and ultimately, it has been pretty much agreed that you gotta call this T. One foot onto the court is ok. But 10 feet? Being nice most of the game doesn't earn a coach a free pass late in the game.

Good call. I've seen what happens when the call wasn't made.