If the talking Captain is on the bench, or has fouled out- who then talks to the Referee?
I would seem odd for a payer while sitting on the bench to address an offical (while seated)
Having completed my first year, JV captains just didn't talk- so the issue never arose

Stew
CVBOA

In my game, anyone who's polite can talk to me, whether s/he's the captain or not.

Anyone who's not polite can't talk to me, whether s/he's the captain or not.

yep, I'll talk to anyone who's polite as well.
In fact I don't even ask for "speaking captain" during the pregame with the players. Sometimes they'll just tell me, I just say "OK".

I do the same thing as Dan (don't even ask who the speaking captain is). Anyone who addresses us in a polite manner deserves the respect to be listened to and addressed in a like manner....anyone who addresses us in a less than polite manner well to be "technical" they deserve something less.... :)

I do what Bob does.
 

But I also usually pick someone that is more of a leader, if I am not going to talk to the captain, if I want something done. Usually the Captain is just a figure head.

Peace

I have done the same in speaking to the players and listening when they had something polite to say.

Even the role of a captain (and coach) in selecting the foul shooter for the T is a role that the coach ends up deciding.

Stew

To answer your question---Rule 3 Section 1 Art. 1--Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain. By rule, if the captain is substituted out, then one of the five players on the court is now the captain--even if you have to ask the coach who it is. No official that I know ever does this--but that is the rule.

I have never understood
 

the concept of a speaking captain. We had refs ask for one this weekend. Why oh why?

Simple instructions ...
 

... to all my floor captains is whenever I need (not when they might want) a clarification, the are to approach the official after a dead ball calmly, maintain eye contact, ask the question, listen to the answer given, thank them politely, immediately turn around and come back to me with the response. Floor captains are not to debate or insert their opinion during this interaction.

I use the concept of floor captains only for this purpose.

I've NEVER had a single problem with this approach. In fact, the officials often tell me that my players are much more composed than I am - hate it when they're right.

Re: I have never understood
 

It's an NCAA requirement -- that's why a lot ask.

I don't know why it's a requirement. ;)