Am I being "That Guy?"

[APG]

1. While I'm not actively looking for it, if I notice it, I'll tell the head coach that only he can use the box to stand (save for the exceptions)

2. I would ask, is there any actual delay occurring? Is it an appreciable delay? If the opponent isn't in a hurry to throw the ball in, I'm not going to call it, unless it's egregious. I can say I haven't called a delay of game warning for interfering with the ball at all this year. From your description, I probably have nothing.

[Adam]

I only have to deal with #1 in YMCA and AAU games. School games of all levels have coaches who already know this.

#2, I only address if there is a noticeable delay to the new offense, or if the scoring team is somehow giving themselves extra time to set up their press. Even then, I'll give a verbal warning before I go to the book warning.

[bainsey]

1. I find MS coaches simply sometimes forget this. I speak to the head coach, and it's handled internally. ("Hey Joe, sit down!") Occassionally, you get an overzealous AC that wants to be (or was) an HC. Just remind the HC that the coaching box is only for HC use, and his AC could cost him that use.

2. What others said. At lower levels, the kids typically don't know they're delaying. I like to look for intent here.

Either way, get some thoughts from your assigner.

[zm1283]

1. I rarely have a problem with this since I only work high school games. The only time I dealt with it this season so far is when several players were standing while a play was going on. I just waited for the next whistle and reminded them that they need to stay seated.

2. I've only given one DOG warning this year I think. A kid on the team had tapped the ball after a basket and I told him to leave it alone. It happened again so I gave the warning. No one said anything.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Adam

Even then, I'll give a verbal warning before I go to the book warning.

If there's a press I will always give the official warning. At lower levels I have tried the pre-warning warning, and each time I've had the opposing coach ask why it wasn't an official warning, which I really had no good answer for. So now if I deal with it, it's always an official warning. I'd rather do it the right way than get myself in trouble later on by warning one team unofficially and then later in the game have the other team interfere significantly enough that I can't let it go.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Smitty

If there's a press I will always give the official warning. At lower levels I have tried the pre-warning warning, and each time I've had the opposing coach ask why it wasn't an official warning, which I really had no good answer for. So now if I deal with it, it's always an official warning. I'd rather do it the right way than get myself in trouble later on by warning one team unofficially and then later in the game have the other team interfere significantly enough that I can't let it go.

I agree, but those who assign the ms games here (it really isn't an issue at the high school level) want us using preventative officiating on this issue.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Smitty

If there's a press I will always give the official warning. At lower levels I have tried the pre-warning warning, and each time I've had the opposing coach ask why it wasn't an official warning, which I really had no good answer for. So now if I deal with it, it's always an official warning. I'd rather do it the right way than get myself in trouble later on by warning one team unofficially and then later in the game have the other team interfere significantly enough that I can't let it go.

If it's a delay, then give the official warning.

If it's not a delay, then give the "pre-warning" as a game management tool. That can be your answer to the opposing coach.