Coaches on Sidelines Who "Need a Get Back Coach"
 

More than any other year, I have had problems this year with coaches being on the court. It seems to be worse when they are kneeling or squatting. It doesn't seem to matter if its a small or large gym, whether they have 3 feet or 6 feet from bench to sideline. I've asked for their help, asked them to move back, joked with them about a tether cord,stood in front of them, etc.

99% of the time it hasn't been a problem and doesn't impact the game, but I am afraid one of these times they are going to impact a play or I am going to go flying down the court and run them over.

Anyone have any techniques for this? If your answer is warn 'em then whack 'em, save your keystrokes. I am trying to come up with a more proactive way.

My technique is that I'm 6'5"/250lbs, so I run as if I don't see them and they move.

This works with cheerleaders too!

Just plow over 'em
 

I try to be patent and will usually follow these steps until I get the desired result:

1. Verbal reminder as I run by to stay off court
2. Go over to coach at next dead ball and sternky tell him to stay in his box
3. Stop game and issue an official warning
4. Whack!

If the situation warrants I may skip steps. For instance, if I run into a coach who is standing on the court its an automatic T.

One warning. After that he will be getting a technical foul, the only thing up for debate is how he gets it. If he hasn't really been an asswipe except for being on the court coaching, I will just issue him a T. If he is being an asswipe in addition to being on the court, I am going to make sure to run into during a transition play and then I am going to issue him a T. I am not quite as big as BNR, but he will know when I run him over running full speed.

Prior to the opening tip...simply walk over to the bench & ask ALL of the assistant coaches: "Alright guys...who is my "Get Back Coach" tonight? Help keep him in the box so he doesn't get in trouble...OK?".

Now you've identified another person, besides the Head Coach, who you can go to help w/ this issue.

Now, when it becomes a problem later in the game, I can ask the "Get Back Coach" to help, ask the head coach directly, and THEN assess the "T" when needed. ("Coach, I asked both you AND your assistant for help in staying in the box, then I warned you and it still didn't help. I did everything I could and was left with no choice.")

Did a fifth official warning get added recently?

I'm a softy, I guess. I work with the coach as long as he's not bothering me.

As the C I'm sharing his coaching box frequently. I can work around him if he works around me.

As the 'C' official, I love just standing directly in front of them so they can't see their players. As the Coach moves, then I move. Plus I am just a step inside the court. Thus the Coach is right on my back.;)
Fun times

1, 2, and 3 are the same step. ONE warning. then whack.

Great football advice.

Not so much in basketball. Deal with the HC.

Why are you giving three warnings? And what is an "official warning?"

I resemble Fat Albert and they move when they see and feel me heading down da court:)

While I'm not a big fan of this thread (I'm a softy like Rich), I do want to address the "official warning" for those that have inquired. You won't find it in the rule book, but after subtle and/or private dealings with the HC prove fruitless and their behavior starts to grind on the crew, you stop the game and issue an "official warning." This is done openly and verbally so that the coach, the table and your partner all know what's up. After I'm done with the coach, for example, I turn to the table and say loudly, "This coach has been warned." Some college assignors even mandate a footnote in the book when this is done. Bottom line, it's a last chance for the coach to recognize he's out of rope, and it helps you CYA if you have to whack him later, because it's not like everyone in the gym won't have seen it coming.

Another tool for your kit. Lots of times coaches enjoy finding out what your threshold is, so this kind of public reprimand without penalizing satisfies them and shuts them up. Often very effective.

While I have been trained that actually putting it in the book is an effective tool, I have seldom done it. By "official" I meant a more formal warning to put the coach (and entire gym) on notice that he's crossing that line. I try to be very patient but do have my limits. Going from friendly, to informal, to formal, gives the coach every opportunity to correct borderline behavior before getting the punishment.