Bench location

[kycat1]

Never had this happen before and need to get others opinion and possible clarification.
High School Sub State match and the benches are set way back (18 to 20 feet from the sideline) since there is no other match on the other court. I know this gives the players more room to chase errant passes and think both coaches would like the extra room. The visiting coach does not like how far back the benches are and after the 1st set asks to move her chair closer to the court. (We cannot move all the chairs as they are on a rug to protect the basketball court). I think of no other rule than that the bench can be no closer to the court than 6 feet. I put a piece of tape down at the 6 foot mark and instruct her to keep the chair back past this point. I also inform her that her bench is now parallel to the side of the court and the front of her chair, not where the other chairs sitting on the rug. This took her playable area from about 20' to about 10'.
Is there anything in the HS rule book the states that the bench must stay where it is placed at the start of the match if the coach wants to move closer and reduce her playable space? Please state rule reference.
Is this something that the Federation needs to include in next years rulings?

[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......

[john5396]

During our captains meeting we cover playable area, identifying any anomalies for the gym. For the bench side of the court, we will say something like. playable area up to the benches.

After that, ther area between the benches and the court is playable area, and I'm not going to allow a coach to move his/her chair into that space. As Tim points out, the coach can stand, so that's what he/she should do.

[MCBear]

kycat1, incorrect procedure...unless you are moving both benches to the same distance from the court, one chair should not be moved. the coach has to live with the set-up. As long as they are in accordance with Rule 4-5, we aren't going to move one chair.

Where was the table located - the same distance from the court or closer to the court than the benches? As an R2, I have a problem if the bench is behind me so that I cannot see the coach with my peripheral vision and communicate with the coach effectively.

[FMadera]

Here's a question:

Why are you changing your ground rules in the middle of the match?

[kycat1]

MCBear,

What rule in the rule book would back your opinion? I cannot find any rule that says I cannot move the bench. Actually, I can't find any rule that says I could move the bench.

By the way, the coach had a medical condition that made it very difficult to stand and coach so I tried to accomidate this situation.

I allowed her to move her chair closer to the court so she could coach without standing up because of medical condition. I also informed her that her new bench location for that set was the front of her chair now (which is in the rules).

Tell me what rule I applied incorrectly. Thanks.

[FMadera]

Originally Posted by kycat1

MCBear,
Tell me what rule I applied incorrectly. Thanks.

5-3-1-d, which states the first referee determines the ground rules pre-match, not in the middle of the match.

When you had the coach/captain discussion before the coin toss, presumably you laid out the ground rules. If the coach had an issue with the bench location, that was the time to discuss it.

Once the match starts, the ground rules are in effect for the match, and not subject to negotiation or change.

[MCBear]

Thank you Felix!

from "Crispy Critter"