Can Refs Help Improve Youth Play (Videos)

[Rich1]

If the AC remains standing , address it.
If the AC is whinning or reacting to calls, address it.
If the AC is squatting/kneeling at the bench to skirt the standing up rule, address it.


But if the AC is simply squatting/kneeling in front of their chair while coaching their team I have no problem with it until a line gets crossed. I they are moving to different places or only kneeling when we look their way then I am suspect but maybe the AC is just "sitting" in a way that is more comfortable (perhaps a back injury???).

Two examples:

I have worked games in small gyms that did not have enough seats for the whole team. When some players were standing I told coach they would have to sit, even if that meant sitting on the floor. One of the AC's gave up his seat and kneeled at the end of the bench so layers could sit. I did not make him sit all the way down.

I had a game where the an AC who was tracking stats on an ipad would kneel in front of the bench to get a better view. She didn't move around, never said a word, didn't coach the players, and drew no attention to herself other than the fact that she would kneel in front of her chair to see better. Saw no reason to address it.

For me it boils down to understanding the intent of the coaching box & only the HC standing rule. It is there so we can address problems and that's what I look for.