Coaching Box
 

Can anyone tell me why coaches get upset when we tell them to stay in the box? Wouldn't the alternative be worse for them? I have had to tell coaches simply to stand in the box and you would think I was asking them to have a colonoscopy instead of moving one step in a direction.

Peace

Let's See, Why Did I Used to Do That, Too?
 

Some give the following reasons coaches "get upset" when politely, tactfully, and respectfully prompted back into the kennel:
1) They're wrapped up in the game and just plain "lose track of where they are".
2) They're thinking about "more important things." Staying in the box has become a low priority for them and they get annoyed when that low priority is taken as a ridiculous high priority by an official.
3) They're "pushing the boundaries", seeing what s/he can get away with, trying to get under the skin of the officials whom he perceives as adversaries. Doesn't really know it is counterproductive. Just wants to be annoying to those he thinks are out to get him/her.
4) They're "asserting dominance", showing the officials s/he is in charge around here and will do darn well what s/he wants, further using the prompting to push back against that perceived expression of dominance itself, and so it escalates.
5) They use it as a "lure"--want to get called on it in order to use the conversation following to complain about other things.
6) They think they're getting some sort of "upper hand" on the other coach who, for the time being anyway, is staying in his box.
7) I never, ever did any of these things when I was a coach. :D

Any other reasons?

I rarely have a coach say anything other than, "Oh, sorry."

You would think that would be the response. But when the response is, "Come on" when I could just T you by rule, seems silly. Even at the so called college level they were wanting coaches to stay in the darn box. I understand it is low priority, but telling you when nothing is going on is the best way to comply I would think.

Peace

As previously stated most coaches seem to move back in line because they were not aware/ concerned with where they were and once you are they adjust. Other reasons coaches get upset:

1) They feel like if they are doing nothing wrong, the are therefore confused when they are being addressed like the box is more of social convention then a rule.

2) Generally they are upset at some other facet of the game (you, their kids, the table, etc) and then become upset with you about worrying about something 'not on the floor" when that is where they feel your attention should be.

3) There is an association with it being punitive. At their work place unless there is something they are supposed to be doing in a certain place or time no one comes around to "tell" them where to go. WHen you are directed "to move along", "get back to work", "not park there", "report to the office" etc. in the adult world having to be told or made to go somewhere is generally not a pleasant or positive experience. So they feel like being made to go stand somewhere other then where they are standing is punitive.

Overall though I don't see this as a big issue in games we do.

What if you are trial coach is a foot or 2 on the court and there is a fast break the other way and you end up running into or brushing into the coach? Any body have a problem with an immediate T here (waiting until the fast break finishes if it is the opposing team of course?)

In the pre-game meeting the only thing I say to coaches other than "my name and good luck" is "if you are going to be up and about, please stay in that area" as I gesture to the box or something to that effect.

Had to constantly remind one coach to stay in the box one game and his excuse was that he would be blocking his assistants' view. :rolleyes:

I only consistantly have a problem with it at the local AAU venue.

Many coaches seem to react to it the same way people feel about getting a parking ticket. "I know it's against the law, but, come on." They probably park their cars in the fire lane at the supermarket, too "because they'll only be in there for a minute."

No problem with that at all.

Same here.

The coaching box rule is like the elbow T and the running out of bounds T. It should be changed to something that will be enforced.

jmo

Sure, I can tell you. You see, when they go to coaches school, the instructors tell them to argue with everything a referee says, no matter what is said, they are wrong. That is all.

Honestly, I wish they would go with the college box for HS. I think trying to limit someone to a very small area is kind of silly. Or take away the box all together. Even with those possible changes, we would still have to tell a coach to comply and I just cannot understand why we have to even ask in the first place.

Peace

Coaching Alley ???
 

Agree. Just keep them on their half of the court, and a few feet away from the table.

I was under the impression that the running out of bounds T was changed to a violation (which also isn't called)?