I think this is common for many officials, I was one. I probably assessed too many early on, but as I grew to understand the job better, I don't assess as many. Also, I'm sure you're a better official than 3 years ago. You probably don't give them as much to whine about. The last component could be that you are now a familiar face to some of the coaches. You have built a bit of a relationship with them over the last few years.

Life would be much easier if people treated a technical foul as something that isn't all that special. Of course, state associations that demand a report on every technical foul where a coach loses the box don't make it any easier to get that message across.

Coach steps over the line, coach gets whacked, we *all* move on. That's how it *should* be. Should technicals be rare? Yes. Should they be non-existent and treated as nuclear warheads being detonated? NO.

Couldn't agree more. It's just another foul. I think we all put ourselves and fellow officials in a bad spot when we don't address sportsmanship when warranted. Here in Iowa we have a adaptation to the coach's box and I'm NOT a fan. They can only stand during dead clock periods and only in front of their seat. It takes away opportunities for the coaches to coach their players and us to communicate in appropriate ways with coaches. In my opinion, this rule came about because too many officials were letting coaches be demonstrative and out of line.

Interesting. If you're right, it was only happening on the girls side, because the rule as you state is more lenient than it was for boys when I was there. Girls had the coaching box, boys didn't. They have the same rule now, right?

"Well that's a coincidence. For all you know, it's the first one I've given in 20."
--The Book of Things We'd Like to Say

Sure, get me going on having both a boy's association and a girl's union.:D The two governing bodies are trying to get closer to the same page. We are down to only a couple of different adaptations for the girls' game unlike when you were around these parts. The coach's rule was somewhat of a compromise between the two. I think the boy's coaches were sat down years before for similar actions. Personally, I'd rather have them up so we can communicate and then seatbelt them when they are out of line, but that decision is above my pay grade so to speak.

I'm curious. What are the remaining differences?

Between boys and girls?

Girls have more held balls. :p

Man, that's opening a can of worms. :D

2010-11 Iowa Adaptations for Girls’ Basketball

Adaptation #1 Home uniforms shall be white in color and shall have even numbers. Away uniforms shall be a color other than white and shall have odd numbers. (Required for varsity only)

Adaptation #2 In addition to the numbers allowed by National Federation rule, the numbers 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05 are legal. The numbers 0 and 00 are considered as the even number alternative to 1 and 01. A team shall not use 0 and 00 etc., in the same game. Beginning in 2012-13, the NF rule will be followed making these numbers illegal.

Adaptation #3 Wristbands and Headwear - We will be adhering to Rules 3-5-3 and 3-6 regarding wristbands and headwear with the following exceptions. Anything worn in the hair (including headbands) must be soft and unadorned but may be any color or multi-colored and do not have to match for all teammates. Bobby pins and unadorned flat clips, no longer than two inches, will also be allowed. Wristbands may be any color or multi-colored and do not have to match for all teammates, but must be moisture-absorbing material. Lance Armstrong bracelets, rubber bands, etc., are still illegal as they are not moisture-absorbing.

Misty Water Colored Memories Of The Way We Were ...
 

Adaptation #4: Only five players on each team.

That is the single greatest post I have ever seen on this site. That is taking care of the game, and illustrates brains controlling the "stones".

I am amazed......amazed, I tell ya......that BillyMac hasn't posted pictures yet. :D

I will go you one better.....

I whacked a coach in a boys varsity game, I get the "That's my first T in 4 years" line...Gee, Coach, I guess you forgot the one I gave you three weeks ago at the XXXX tournament!