Coaches On Court – Coaches do not belong on the court except during timeouts and intermissions or when beckoned by an official. During timeouts and intermissions the coach is restricted to the time-out area. Numerous coaches are wandering out onto the court to talk with their players. This often occurs during free throws. There is no reason that the player cannot go near the sideline to speak with and/or hear the coach. The new rule (4-48) could be used to clean this up.
Signals – Please remember that there is a list of approved signals. Each of us needs to use only the approved signals in the NFHS manual. “Bootleg” signals, to use Clinton Duncan’s terminology, can confuse and create doubt about particular rulings. They can also create problems in the game. Observers are reporting that stopping the clock on an out of bounds violation is particularly problematic for some of us. In addition, some of us appear not to know what the player control foul signal is. Practicing in front of a mirror can help you to get better.
Tip of the Week
Three Seconds – “Be a great three-second official.” Because of the lane’s close proximity to the basket, it is a prime scoring area. Remember, the offensive player gains an unwarranted advantage if he or she can camp out in the free throw lane, as a potential shooter or rebounder or perhaps, more importantly, as a screener. When the three-second rule is properly enforced, rough play is reduced. Do not tell players to get out of the lane. That is not your job. If they are in there too long, sound the whistle and rule the violation.