Canadian Teams

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Kingsman1288

With all due respect to out Canadian brethren, if you bring a team to play in a tournament using NFHS rules please familarize yourself with the rule differences.

Doing 2 GV games today for a tourney, each game involving one Canadian team. There were numerous times in both games where the coaches were unaware of rule differences and blamed us for not informing them before the game. My partner and I were of the opinion that if a coach brings the team here to play, it's their job to know the rule differences.

For those of you out there who have worked games with teams from another country, how do you handle situations like that?

Thumbs down!

While yes, it is the coaches job to inform their team of rules differences, how hard is it to ask the simple question "Do you have any questions regarding rules differences?"

I've been in your situation before - with US teams coming to Canada to play, and having to use different rules.

To be frank, we see the bigger picture and accomodate the US coaches and help them with the more common differences.

The coaches appreciate it, and it shows that you're a leader. Their experience traveling to a tournament will be far better.

I think you are lazy. Just my 2 cents.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

I think you are lazy. Just my 2 cents.

I disagree. Most officials in the US wouldn't even know the differences between FIBA and NFHS rules. It's not their responsibility to give the coaches a rules clinic before the game.

If the coach is going across the border (either direction), he should take the time to learn the differences.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I disagree. Most officials in the US wouldn't even know the differences between FIBA and NFHS rules. It's not their responsibility to give the coaches a rules clinic before the game.

If the coach is going across the border (either direction), he should take the time to learn the differences.

Then the bigger picture involves the tournament host informing the officials that non-US teams are involved.

But like I said, that's how it's done up here. The officiating groups I've been involved with think ahead and have answers for coaches, and have no problems with being proactive.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Then the bigger picture involves the tournament host informing the officials that non-US teams are involved.

But like I said, that's how it's done up here. The officiating groups I've been involved with think ahead and have answers for coaches, and have no problems with being proactive.

Many officials don't know the NFHS rules; there's no way a typical NFHS official will know any FIBA rules.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Then the bigger picture involves the tournament host informing the officials that non-US teams are involved.

But like I said, that's how it's done up here. The officiating groups I've been involved with think ahead and have answers for coaches, and have no problems with being proactive.

And asking the coach if he has any questions on rules is going to do what?

How is this not the coach's responsibility?

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And asking the coach if he has any questions on rules is going to do what?

It's going to give the coach an opportunity to be clear about the new environment he's is. Like I said, it's part of the bigger picture.

Officiating in Canada, and frequently having US teams in our tournaments, I happen to know that coaches appreciate the gesture. If they feel that they are already at a disadvantage because referees don't care about their understanding of the rules, they won't wish to come back to the tournament. Being a cordial neighbour has worked well for me in the past.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

How is this not the coach's responsibility?

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

While yes, it is the coaches job to inform their team of rules differences

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And asking the coach if he has any questions on rules is going to do what?

How is this not the coach's responsibility?

I'm looking at this situation like doing middle school games - yes, it's the coach's responsibility to know the rules, but many times officials will do the players the courtesy of explaining the rules throughout the game.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I'm looking at this situation like doing middle school games - yes, it's the coach's responsibility to know the rules, but many times officials will do the players the courtesy of explaining the rules throughout the game.

This I can appreciate, but just asking the coach if he has questions is opening up too much, IMO.

Me: "Coach, do you have any questions on rules differences?"
Coach: "Yeah, what are they?"
Me: "Timer, I need you to put 10 more minutes on the pregame clock. Coach, let's have a seat."

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

This I can appreciate, but just asking the coach if he has questions is opening up too much, IMO.

Me: "Coach, do you have any questions on rules differences?"
Coach: "Yeah, what are they?"
Me: "Timer, I need you to put 10 more minutes on the pregame clock. Coach, let's have a seat."

Which bench area will you be sitting at? Will you invite the other coach into the conversation? Will you huddle both teams around, or just depend on the coaches to relay the information? Will you have a laminated copy of the rule differences handy?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Fwiw, I agree with Bob, it doesn't have to be a rules clinic before the game, but rather some clarifications on specific questions. Then simple reminders throughout the game.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And asking the coach if he has any questions on rules is going to do what?

How is this not the coach's responsibility?

There's a difference between 'do you have any questions on the rules?" and "Here are the differences between FIBA and NFHS."

The former lets the coach clarify any differences s/he thinks are important to the team that day (can we inbond right away after an oob call?, how many tos do I get? Can anyone request them?)

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

There's a difference between 'do you have any questions on the rules?" and "Here are the differences between FIBA and NFHS."

The former lets the coach clarify any differences s/he thinks are important to the team that day (can we inbond right away after an oob call?, how many tos do I get? Can anyone request them?)

I can see this, it's what I would do, to be honest. But the OP indicated the coaches were unaware of what the differences were.

If a coach isn't aware of the differences, he's not going to know what questions to ask and will still blame (in the OP) the officials.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I can see this, it's what I would do, to be honest. But the OP indicated the coaches were unaware of what the differences were.

If a coach isn't aware of the differences, he's not going to know what questions to ask and will still blame (in the OP) the officials.

Not necessarily. The attitude of the officials toward the coach's questions during the game will have a huge impact on how things go. Example -

Coach asks a question and official calmly turns to him and says "Coach, that is one of those rule differences we talked about." Coach says "Oh, ok."

As opposed to Coach asks a question and official turns and looks at him like he is a complete moron, gives a disgusted look, and proceeds down the court.

Now which of those two situations will end with the coach blaming the official???

[Kingsman1288]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

I think you are lazy. Just my 2 cents.

So it makes me lazy for not knowing every single FIBA rule and how it differs from here?

Opening ourselves up for a long conversation about rule differences before the game is just asking for trouble. It was the semi-finals of the tournament so the teams had plenty of time and experience with the rules.

I place more responsibility on the coaches for knowing the rules beforehand, they should know what they are getting into.

What are we supposed to do, cut them a break because they don't know the rules? That's just wrong in itself.