How Difficult is it to Call a Technical Foul on a Coach?
Deciding to call a technical foul on a coach who questions your ruling is not easy. First and foremost, we must understand Rule 10 Sections 1, 4, and 5 and remember that a coach by rule is never responsible for the actions of a player (the five players participating in a game and during time-out) unless it is during pre-game or an intermission between quarters. However, if you read the rulebook closely, you may agree with me that we as officials do not enforce the rules as strickly as we probably should.
The rule book places great responsibility on our coaches. Our coaches are not perfect, nor do we expect them to be. Spending so much time working tirelessly with student-athletes creates an intense desire to succeed and builds strong emotional relationships. Coaches understand that they are expected to control their emotional responses to officials’ decisions throughout a contest.
I believe that coaches, especially those that follow the rules, become frustrated when the opponent’s coach is not held responsible for her/his behavior. A screaming coach’s behavior even if it is not disputing an official’s call can be interpreted as unsporting behavior. The coach that travels beyond the confines of his coaching box gets an unfair advantage by being out of her/his box.
Given all of this, I wish to add another layer of expectations put upon coaches in the NF Coaches Code of Ethics. Since this Code of Ethics is in the rulebook that we are expected to enforce, I feel that it is fair that we expect the same.
Excerpt from the National Federation of High School Coaches Association’s Coaches Code of Ethics:
“The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition.”
“The coach shall be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, . . . thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.”
“The coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members. The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.”
“The coach shall respect and support contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials.”
In summary, if we as officials punish improper behavior, coaches will improve their behavior. We are fortunate here in Maine to have the overwhelming support of our school principals and many athletic administrators. If we cannot be consistent as a group, then coaches will never learn how to behave as demanded by the rules. Many officials tell me that on more than one occasion, they should have called a technical foul. I believe that most of the time these officials are correct. Call the technical foul. It is not easy but you will be doing the right thing, and just as important, when an official the next night calls a technical for a same or similar infraction, coaches will no longer act so surprised and claim that officials are out to get them.
Once again, the message is clear! Enforce the rulebook! That is our job. Coaches’ actions do not involve contact which should make this decision easier for all of us. The punishment is stiff, but then look at it this way–the punishment at most is 5 points. For those of you that might hesitate to call a technical because it is too great a punishment for the coach to inflict upon his team, remember most of the time it only amounts to 1-3 points. Actually, in some sports, points are deducted for misbehavior.
Thanks for reading and please share your comments by clicking “Comment”.
February 6, 2008 at 3:10 pm
our High School coach was ejected last night. Here is what he did- he threw a pen on the court- then was called a technical- then he clapped his hands and sat down- actually pretty quietly- and then the ref threw him out of the game. It seemed a little severe! Any comments?
February 6, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Not being there, and not hearing what was said and not seeing the action that happened, it is difficult to comment. Was the coach upset over an official’s ruling (whistle or no whistle)? First of all, throwing a pen on the court, definitely warrants a technical. A gesture and/or a few words could well warrant a second technical which results in an ejection. Did he throw the pen at someone? That would be a flagrant technical foul and immediate ejection.
Being a lifetime multi-sport official, I could never defend a coach who throws something onto the court. Take a minute and find a copy of the National Federation rulebook and read the page on coach ethics and “foul” pages concerning things a coach should not do. I think you may believe that many more technicals should be called.
February 16, 2008 at 12:07 am
By properly issuing technical fouls coaches usually go back to coaching after one tech anyway and players usually play the game the way they are supposed to. With only one technical they don’t have to leave the game as in baseball. Basketball officials are too SOFT, too afraid to penalize a coach or player when necessary. Respect is lost when an official allows a coach to abuse him as all of the players and fans in the gym observe these actions and there is NO penalty. Players will remember you the next time they see you walk into the gym as the ref that the coach “dumped” on. All respect is out the door even BEFORE the gane starts because we didn’t take care of business the last time we had this team. Remember, they don’t have to like us, but they will RESPECT us if we use technical fouls properly! We are our own worse enemy. Only 20% of basketball officials take charge and lay down the law when it is necessary, while the rest allow the disruptors to continue with their negative actions. If we are all (or most of us) consistent with using technical fouls properly (and having the “intestinal fortitude” to call a technical foul) then our job as basketball officials will become tremendously easier.
February 16, 2008 at 7:24 am
First of all, thank you Brad for responding with some strong sentiment to reinforce the importance of issuing technicals when they are earned.
I apologize for repeating myself, but most people don’t go back and read the full thread of discussion. The rulebook is quite clear on what it expects of coaches. Most coaches follow these standards of good sporting behavior. Inciting players or spectators is cause for a technical foul being called. So, if the coach strongly opposes your call and a player follows by questioning your call with any attitude, the coach incited that behavior. Call the technical!
Coaches adjust to officiating all the time. Calling a technical for their bad behavior (and/or that of assistant coaches) will cause coaches to adjust behavior. The toughest part is the official that states it doesn’t bother her/him. That exception is not in the rulebook. Do you ignore a part of the traveling rule because it doesn’t bother you?
March 3, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Hi Shawn – As someone just getting into officiating…I could ask questions of you for hours, but will limit myself to one here! It is not uncommon for a coach to direct a player to foul late in the game to mimimize an opponent’s passing / delay…hoping to intercept a throw-in or get a rebound from a free throw. When the coach can clearly be heard yelling for a player to foul, why is that not a strong indication of an intentional foul as opposed to a common foul? I have not seen it called that way often…