The following is from Sarah Hayes, the associate commissioner in charge of basketball. Please take the time to read it all and to incorporate this into your game management skills.
Rule 10-5 (Bench Decorum), Rule 10-6 (Head Coach’s Rule), Rule 4-48 (Warning for Coach/Team Conduct), and 2025 POE: Bench Decorum and Sportsmanship
Purpose:
The purpose of this Point of Emphasis is to re-affirm the importance of proper behavior by coaches, substitutes, and bench personnel. The bench area sets the tone for a team’s overall sportsmanship, and actions from this area directly impact game management and the perception of high school basketball. Emphasizing consistent enforcement of bench decorum prevents escalation of unsporting behavior, promotes respect for officials, and maintains the integrity of competition. This POE reminds officials to strictly enforce restrictions on leaving the bench area, standing, and engaging in unsporting communication, while holding coaches accountable for the behavior of their teams.
Interpretation:
- Rule 10-6-1 limits the head coach’s privilege to remain standing within the confines of the
coaching box for coaching purposes. Assistant coaches and bench personnel must remain
seated, except under specific exceptions outlined in the rules. - Rule 10-5 outlines unsporting conduct and includes actions such as disrespectfully addressing officials, inciting spectators, or otherwise engaging in behavior that discredits the game.
- Under the 2025 POE, officials are instructed to consistently enforce penalties for violations of these rules. Leniency in enforcement leads to inconsistent game management and undermines the authority of officials.
First infractions may result in a warning (when appropriate per Rule 4-48, (such as a first-time bench decorum issue) or a technical foul for subsequent or severe infractions. Coaches are ultimately responsible for ensuring substitutes and bench personnel demonstrate sportsmanship at all times.
Conclusion:
The 2025 POE on Bench Decorum and Sportsmanship reinforces that enforcement of these standards is not optional. Coaches and bench personnel must model the highest level of respect and sportsmanship. Officials are instructed to apply the rules consistently, using warnings when appropriate but assessing technical fouls without hesitation when behavior exceeds rule allowances. Strict adherence ensures fairness, minimizes game disruptions, and upholds the educational mission of interscholastic athletics.