Sitting beyond coaching box line
 

A True/False question in our local state rules test:

The answer is listed as True. If you know of the location of this in the rule book please let me know b/c I can't find anything to back this up. The answer in my opinion should be false b/c there is nothing stating that the team bench has to be located no further then the 28 foot line.

4-13-3 says the bench area is the area inside an imaginary rectangle formed by the boundaries of the sideline (including the bench), end line, and an imaginary line extended from the free-throw lane line nearest the bench area meeting an imaginary line extended from the coaching-box line.

The coaching box extends from the 28' mark towards the endline.

Connecticut Prep School Coaching Boxes Expand ...
 

This year Connecticut prep schools, who have always used a hybrid version of NFHS, and NCAA, rules, with differences for boys, and girls, will, for the first time, have a coaching box that extends from the twenty-eight foot mark all the way down to the endline. I can't wait, as the lead, table side, to have a coach shake my hand on a good call way down in the corner. It was bad enough when they shook my hand on a good call, as the trial, table side. Now they've got a shot at me at both the trail, and at the lead. I'd better start carrying some hand sanitizer in my pants pocket.

Not to hijack, but would you believe one of the nursing professors where I work suggests I carry a small bottle of it while I'm working basketball? Her rationale: I'm shaking several hands before the game, and handling that ball some during the game, i.e. throw-in administration and free-throw administration. I was sorely tempted to ask if she was planning on running around at our college's games, squirting that hand sanitizer on the officials' hands.

"Would You Believe ..." (Secret Agent #86, Maxwell Smart) ...
 

Would you believe that there's an official on my local board that does exactly that? Seriously. It's traditional, in these parts, especially in girls games, that during the pregame introduction of starters, that each starter, after being introduced, runs over the shake the hands of the officials, and then runs over to shake the hand of the opposing head coach. Obviously, there's a whole lotta shaking going on (apologies to Jerry Lee Lewis). He keeps a bottle of hand sanitizer in his warmup jacket pocket, and before the National Anthem, uses it on his hands. In any case, more players, and more officials, are using the fist bump, instead of the hand shake, these days, shorter, less contact, less chance of getting "Cooties".

On a more serious note, our state high school athletics governing body has just published guidelines regarding what to do if games must be postponed due to the H1N1 Swine Influenza. I won't bore you with all the details, but one thing that jumped out at me right away is that in order to facilitate the makeup of games postponed due to Swine Influenza, they would allow makeup games to be played on Sundays. They have never, ever, allowed games to be played on Sundays, for any reason, in the past, so this is a big deal here in the Land of Steady Habits, where some "Blue Laws" are still on the books. We've already had two elementary schools, and one high school, in Connecticut, close down for a few days to interrupt the cycle of contamination, and there are three college campuses, in the state, that are also having problems with student, and teacher, absenteeism due to the Swine Influenza. Hold onto your hand sanitizer and use it if you got it.

Nothing at all wrong that suggestion. I have a bottle that's as small as a trial shampoo bottle. I haven't taken it on the floor but I'm considering it. I'll definitely have it in the locker room. Also, I'll be bumping fists when possible instead of shaking hands.

When In Rome ...
 

Hey. If it's good enough for these two, then it's good enough for basketball officials.

http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/20..._bump_0605.jpg

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I'm assuming you meant 1-13-3 and it is referring to the time-out area not the team bench. The team bench location is only a recommendation.[/SIZE]

1-13-3.......The time-out area shall be the area inside an imaginary rectangle formed by the boundaries of the sideline (including the bench), end line, and an imaginary line extended from the free-throw lane line nearest the bench area meeting an imaginary line extended from the coaching-box line.
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Based on 1.13.1 (below) I was thinking that the team bench could be right next to the scorer's table and there is nothing we could do about it. Which would insinuate to me that "Coaches and players are allowed to sit beyond the coaching box line nearest the division line." The coach just wouldn't be allowed to utilize the coaching box (if there is one) based on 1.13.2.[/SIZE]

TEAM BENCH LOCATION
1.13.1 SITUATION: Upon arrival on the court, the visiting team is advised its team bench is located on the right side of the scorer’s and timer’s table. This location means the visiting team’s substitutes will have to go considerably further than the home team to reach the reporting area. The visiting coach complains to the referee. RULING: The referee has no authority to move the location of either bench, unless it involves player safety. Game or home management is responsible for designating the location of the team benches. The visiting coach must accept this designation, unless player safety is involved. Obviously, it is intended that the benches be on the floor-level seats or bleachers and that the team benches be approximately the same distance from the table whenever possible. The referee should report the unusual bench location to the state association office.
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I had trouble reading your post. Could you make your font a little bigger?

Really it looks like the same size on my computer as the previous posts. I will try and do something with it.

I can assure you that is not my inspiration.

I copied and pasted from last year's rulebook which refers to the team bench area. I don't have a problem with the answer since the coach is required to sit in the coaching box if he's going to use it.

I'd suggest you contact your state officie if you wish to dispute the answer key.

Mark Warning!!!
 

Warning to all new reffs reading this forum: Make sure you don't have a mouthful of coffee or some other beverage while reading Mark's posts otherwise you'll have a sticky monitor or laptop!! Thanks for all the good laughs Mark!! You had a good one last week too!

FWIW, upon entering the visual confines.
 

My SOP is to make sure that there are no chairs for either bench closer to the division line that the 28' mark. More often than not, these chairs were set up by JV or freshman players tasked with doing so, and they just got them open and in the vicinity. Often there are 2 or 3 chairs 'north' of the line and I will ask that they be moved, or will just do it myself.

Last winter I came down with a cold during the season and could not find a substitute for my games as our association was stretched as thin as possible due to weather cancellations. For a few weeks I carried out a small bottle of hand sanitizer to the score table before the game. During time outs (and I was close to the table), I would wander over to "discuss something with the scorebook" (in reality I was using my hand sanitizer). I don't think it would be a bad thing but it's the problem solver.

-Josh

I like your idea Josh. :) Maybe I'll bring a big one, and instruct all the players and coaches to use it too. :D

I don't know if I would go as far as have the players and coaches do it but I usually have a bottle that I use at halftime and after the game in the locker room (in case a sink is not available).

Since I work at the state health lab I feel obligated to say that washing your hands is better than using hand sanitizer. Washing is less harsh on the skin tissue. But I use hand sanitizer when I can't get to a sink.

-Josh

Inquiring Minds Want To Know ...
 

10.5.1 SITUATION E: The coach of Team B sits on the opposite end of the bench from where the optional coaching box is located. The coach rises only when permitted by rule. RULING: Legal. The coach is not required to use the optional coaching box even though it has been adopted by the state association. However, if the coach begins the game by sitting somewhere other than where the box is located, he/she may not use the box privileges any time during the game. The coach must begin the game in a position within the box if he/she wishes to stand when permitted under the optional coaching-box provisions.

AFAIK, the bench is not restricted from being "north" of the 28' foot line. However, if the coach isn't sitting within the box, he's stuck sitting.

Moral Compass ...
 

Back In The Saddle: Good citation. Thanks.

I recommend using a serif font instead of a sans-serif font.
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