Coaches consider ban on postgame handshakes

[Amesman]

Agree with Rocky -- stick by your guns if this is the route taken.

You don't let the rotten apples spoil the whole lot. If you (i.e. administrators) are out to teach the kids something, don't back off of that goal.

That said, 1) there must be a cooling off period -- even 30-60 seconds after the horn, 2) coaches must use it to refocus the players, especially if it was a tight game and / or there are loose cannons in the huddle, 3) remind the players all along that this is a stipulation of participation and that suspensions will come swiftly for anyone who goes looking for one.

There have to be precautions taken. Kids will be kids and they often (usually?) won't take a long view on their actions. Hammering home that there will be repercussions is important. And coaches/administrators performing a little "team management" (i.e. who's liable to act up?) before during and after these teaching moments is critical.

Maybe it was seeing the Oly hockey tourney and the handshake lines afterward that got the juices flowing on this one. But to see that happen -- I remember the Amesparents herding us kids into the room after a Stanley Cup finale to show what sportsmanship meant -- reminds that it's a worthy goal. Perhaps speaking more as a parent now than anything.