My First T!!!

Hawks Coach · #18 (**permalink**) Wed Jul 10, 2002, 12:02pm

Quote:

Originally posted by bigwhistle

Quote:

Originally posted by JRutledge
There was not a POE, there was a rule change last year with the coaching box. But of course that depended on your state. Illinois always (at least for as long as I can remember or have been officiating) had the 6 foot box until last year when they expanded it. And the big deal was to keep coaches in the box at all times no matter what when it was expanded last year. Well of course they threatened to take it away all together if officials did not enforce it strictly. And once the season started, all that went completely out the window. I did not see one T for a coach out of the box all year. And the State Interpreters basically told us to give Ts if the coach had a foot outside the box, no matter what. I guess that shows how much influence they had on that one.

Peace

Sounds to me like you and your cohorts didn't have the balls to inforce the rules. There is the problem in a nutshell. If you take a stand that is supported by your organization in writing, you are not wrong. If you cop out and give in to the coaches and let them do as THEY see fit, you might need to look in the mirror to see if you really have what it takes.

Bigwhistle
I think that's a bit harsh of an assessment of Jruts stance. I think this is more an instance where the refs are going to call the game as it is played on the court, and use the coaching box rule when the coach is causing a problem. NF went first to the seatbelt and then to the optional box a long time ago because of coach problems. I think that most refs are not expending a lot of energy trying to enforce a rule that does not significantly impact the play on the court. When a coach's comportment becomes a problem, the rule is there and can be very useful.

Most refs have their own set of lines that coaches can't cross, and when they do, they are seatbelted. And I got one who had a narrower set of lines, or a narrower mind when it comes to coaches pointing out obvious oversights!