Coach has a "bad back"

[jTheUmp]

Happened to me a few days ago:

9th grade boys game.

Home team coach is in "question every call" mode, and I eventually whacked him (maybe a bit prematurely, but I'm sure he would've gotten one eventually anyway).

My partner explains to him the seatbelt rule, and this coach then informs my partner that he can't sit down, because he has a bad back and sitting is difficult for him.

How would you handle this situation:
a) "Coach, the rules now require you to be seated, and they make no allowance for your back injury."
b) "Ok, coach, in that case you can remain standing, but you must stand at the end of your bench and not be walking back and forth in the coaching box"
c) " ". Move on with the game, whack him again, if/when he's up walking around.
d) "Coach, you should've considered that before you actions necessitated the techincal foul"

Ok, probably not D, except in my head.

A couple of additional pieces of information that you may wish to take into consideration:
1) This was in the first half of a 9A/9B doubleheader. This coach was the coach for both the 9A team and the 9B team.
2) There were no assistant coaches for this coach's team.
3) Home team was up by about 15 points when I whacked him, and they ended up winning by almost 40 points.

[Da Official]

You must be a TOP NOTCH official to have an assistant???

"My partner explains to him the seatbelt rule, and this coach then informs my assistant that he can't sit down, because he has a bad back and sitting is difficult for him."

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by Da Official

You must be a TOP NOTCH official to have an assistant???

"My partner explains to him the seatbelt rule, and this coach then informs my assistant that he can't sit down, because he has a bad back and sitting is difficult for him."

D'OH. Correcting.

[just another ref]

I'd probably tell him ok, coach, in that case, remain standing, but the next time you say one word about any call, you will be standing outside somewhere.

[Loudwhistle]

Originally Posted by just another ref

i'd probably tell him ok, coach, in that case, remain standing, but the next time you say one word about any call, you will be standing outside somewhere.

+1

[Da Official]

Originally Posted by just another ref

i'd probably tell him ok, coach, in that case, remain standing, but the next time you say one word about any call, you will be standing outside somewhere.

+1 :d

[26 Year Gap]

I had that line from an asst coach in AAU. I said nothing, but I let him follow my eyes over to his opponents' bench where the coach was confined to a wheelchair. He sat down.

[GoodwillRef]

Tough crap...maybe you shouldn't have gotten a technical foul...sit down!

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Happened to me a few days ago:

9th grade boys game.

Home team coach is in "question every call" mode, and I eventually whacked him (maybe a bit prematurely, but I'm sure he would've gotten one eventually anyway).

My partner explains to him the seatbelt rule, and this coach then informs my partner that he can't sit down, because he has a bad back and sitting is difficult for him.

How would you handle this situation:
a) "Coach, the rules now require you to be seated, and they make no allowance for your back injury."
b) "Ok, coach, in that case you can remain standing, but you must stand at the end of your bench and not be walking back and forth in the coaching box"
c) " ". Move on with the game, whack him again, if/when he's up walking around.
d) "Coach, you should've considered that before you actions necessitated the techincal foul"

Ok, probably not D, except in my head.

A couple of additional pieces of information that you may wish to take into consideration:
1) This was in the first half of a 9A/9B doubleheader. This coach was the coach for both the 9A team and the 9B team.
2) There were no assistant coaches for this coach's team.
3) Home team was up by about 15 points when I whacked him, and they ended up winning by almost 40 points.

My uncle was in a back cast for the better part of 2 years, and many times again throughout his life, so I am empathetic to back problems.

I would have asked what the issue is (so I could then report it to my LA), and permitted him to stand, but behind his chair, and reminded him that he doesn't have the coaching box to roam. I'd also remind him that a second technical foul results in an ejection.

I would then report the situation to my LA and hope that he's required to file a medical exemption.

[Mark Padgett]

"Not a problem coach. I have some really strong painkillers in my bag. Just roll up your sleeve and I'll take care of it."

[chymechowder]

the "dream rod" belongs in the porn thread imo.

[Judtech]

My significant other and I have both had back surgeries. She has a difficult time sitting but brings a "seat cushion" to games so it won't upset her back.
I'd make him sit. Heck he can turn sideways and put his feet up on the bench if he wants but I am not giving any lee way on it.

[constable]

How many of us have had back problems? Mine's been stiff for a week.

Don't get the T and you won't have to sit. I'd treat it different if my assignor told us too, but until then he's gotta sit.

If he doesn't want to sit, then he can stand all he wants- in the dressing room.

I agree with a previous poster, unless he drove a garbage truck, he most likely had to sit while driving.

It's not our problem.

[jTheUmp]

UPDATE:
I emailed my association's clinician and described the situation. His response:

"From the way you had described the situation, I think you handled it the best way that you could have.... Personally, I would have made him sit for the rest of the game."

So there we go.