Bench location

[TimTaylor]

We go with whatever the host school's standard setup is. All we care about is the 6' minimum distance and that no chairs are closer than the attack line extended (keeps people from accidentally wandering into the substitution zone).

Since in the situation you describe both teams are playing with the same circumstances, I see no justification for moving the bench. I would simply remind the HC that they are allowed to stand in the replacement zone at any time, but no closer than 6 feet to the court while the ball is live.

The visiting coach could always ask the home team if they could move both benches closer, but I see no rule provision that says they have to do so and nothing giving the officials the authority to do so either.

In any case, any request from the visiting coach to move the benches should be before the match - waiting until after the 1st set is, IMHO, way too late....might even be a head game on the part of the HC. I would deny their request. Once the R1 has established the playable areas and advised both teams of that during the prematch meeting with captains & coaches we're going to stay with that for the entire match - only exception would be if an unforeseen safety issue cropped up.

Just my $0.02......