Information for the coaches to improve the flow of the game - 6 online now - Nov. 1/06

Coaches' Note 1                                                  Coach's Evaluation Form (pdf - downloadable)

            It is not the intention of GSBBO to prevent substitutions but rather to expedite them.  However, it has been brought to our attention that there are varying procedures from game to game, and official to official.  In order to clarify the situations that have been developing we put forward the following interpretation for substitutions:

“ Substitutes shall report to the scorer by verbally stating their number. They will then kneel down in front of the table near the ‘X’ on the floor.”  Where there is insufficient room for them to do this they may kneel or stand at the side of the table in such a way as not to interfere with the timer and scorer’s view of the game.

 When the clock stops and the ball is dead the Scorer will cause the Timer to sound the horn.  The non-administering official shall face the subs and beckon them on the floor.  When this official deems that all ready subs have entered the floor, they shall turn to face the court while holding their arm extended in the air to hold the clock.  When they decide that play can continue, that is all subs have cleared the floor, or are clearing the floor, that official shall drop his/her arm. At this point play is about to begin and no further substitutions shall be permitted.

Substitutions that approach the table and properly report while the non-administering official is facing the table shall be beckoned in.  When that official turns and faces the court the Scorer and Timer will have been directed not to sound the horn, as play is about to begin, and any substitutions coming to the table at that time will be directed to wait until the next occasion to enter.

In addition: Coaches are reminded that players must have their shirts tucked in and their shorts up on their hips.  Players should be reminded of this before reporting for substitution as they will be deemed unready to play and will be refused entry into the game. Again scorers and timers will be directed to refuse substitution as it is the responsibility of the scorer to determine that a sub is legitimate and ready.

We trust that this will enhance the game and provide a clear working model for all concerned.

It has been possible for some time now for the Head Coach to call a time out from his/her bench.  Players may still call them from the floor but the choice of which time interval still remains with the Head Coach and only the Head Coach.

The following procedure will facilitate the calling of either time out:

While signalling with your hands call out in as loud a voice as possible to the officials - a player need only verbalize the request directly to an official - provided that one of your players is dribbling or holding the ball.

When the official acknowledges your request and because their focus is on the play it may not occur as quickly as you like - also if a player is likely to land out of bounds or otherwise violate do not expect the call - they whistle the play dead - he/she will ask if you want a ‘30 or 60' - you need only verbalize the amount of time but if you wish to signal the same, please do, (finger tips to shoulder for 30 seconds, arm extended to the side for a 60 second) as it helps avoid confusion. 

Remember you are responsible for knowing how many and what kind of time outs you have left - this information your captain or a statistician can request when the ball is dead and the clock is stopped. - Your statistician may approach the table and obtain such information, as well as the number of fouls on a team member, at any time the ball is dead and the clock is stopped.  You as a coach may not do the same.

The official addressing you will reply by verbalizing and signalling to you what they understand is your request.  That official shall then move to a reporting area where they are clearly visible to the table and the opposing coach.  They will then verbalize and signal the information to the table and opposing coach.  When the players have had a reasonable time to approach their bench the official will then instruct the Timer to start the time out clock.

Your notification on the kind of time out you want needs to be as immediate as possible. Should you fail to give clear direction to the official promptly, they will assess a full time out.  If you have indicated a 30 second timeout you may not change it to a 60 second timeout in the same phase.  Once the official indicates to you that they understand you want a 30 second time out, you have passed the point of no return.  You may call a successive timeout if the situation allows and then change it to a 60 second time out.  Please be clear when indicating to the official what time interval you are requesting

A 30 second time out will have a horn sound at the 20 second mark at which time the official will step toward the huddle and verbally indicate - First horn - the players must break and head for their positions. They must be ready to play by the second horn - 30 sec - that is they are back on the court to play defense or offense as the case may be.

Players must remain standing and on the court in the bench area during a 30 sec time out.

A 60 second time out will have a horn sound at the 45 second mark at which time the official shall step toward the huddle and verbally indicate - First Horn - the players must break and go to their positions.  They must be ready to play by the second horn - 60 sec - as above with the 30 second time out.

When a player has blood showing on his/her uniform or themselves the official will stop play immediately upon noticing it and direct the player to the bench area. At that time the calling official will approach the coach and ask something of this nature, "Coach, do you want a time out or will you be sending in a substitute for this player?". You have either option open to you.

If you select to have a time out then the administering official will follow the time out procedures and ask you what kind of time out you require. Remember that in a 30 sec time out the players must remain standing on the court, that does include the player with the blood. If it is a 60 sec time out than the players, including the bleeding/blood covered player may leave the court and sit down.

Should you select to have a time out and the player is not ready to play by the first buzzer, you may call another time out if the rules permit it at that time and you must clearly indicate this to the administering official.

If you chose to send in a substitute you have a 30 second interval to do so.  This is not a timeout but rather an opportunity to prepare a player to enter the game.  When the 20 second buzzer goes the players must return ready top play, including the substitute.  Direct your substitute to report to the scorer and to state their number and that they are ‘subbing in’ . They must then wait for the administering official, the official facing the table, to beckon them on. This must occur prior to the first buzzer at 20 seconds occurring.

When a player is injured on the floor and an official has stopped play, which will occur if the official deems the player is in danger, or has suffered a serious enough injury,  that official shall approach the player, and ask if the player is ready to play. If the player responds, ‘YES’ then play will start immediately.

If the player is unable to respond, or indicates in some manner that they require attention, the official will beckon team personnel on the floor. At this time the official may also determine if the player is unconscious or disoriented.

If the official deems that the player is unconscious or disoriented, the player must be removed from the game and shall not re-enter without a medical examination, and written statement from a doctor. If such a condition does not exist, team personnel may assist the player as required .

Once team personnel enter the court to assist a player, that player may be removed from the game (the official shall instruct the timer to start timing immediately upon beckoning team personnel on the court) or the team may be charged with a full time out unless the coach selects to have a charged time out to return the player to the court. The coach shall take a reasonable time to assure the condition of the injured player. (If this should exceed the length of a time out a substitute must be made using the 30 second time element for substitution. If the coach has selected to take a time out he/she must determine whether the player is returning, as a substitute must be at the table prior to the first buzzer at 20 to replace the injured player.  If the coach does not select the time out, the administering official shall ask the coach if he/she is ready to play, and shall indicate to the coach that he/she has 30 seconds to send a sub up to the table following regular substitution procedures. The official shall direct the timer to start clocking 30 secs while assuming his/her position facing the table to beckon the sub into the game. This substitute must report to the table by the first buzzer at 20 secs. but no later than the 30 second buzzer.

The safety of the players is paramount and all reasonable precautions should be taken to ensure that. If that should mean that a player can not be moved safely from the court to a safe location, then the game shall be delayed for such time as necessary to facilitate their removal, including, if necessary, waiting for paramedical assistance to arrive. Do not rush in an injury situation as a game can easily be re-arranged and the officials will cooperate in such a case. These are situations in which common sense and reasonableness are key directing factors.

All jewelry, including any rings, studs, etc, whether openly visible, or covered by tape and/or clothing, or other materials, is illegal and must be removed prior to the warm up for the game. No player shall wear any jewelry from the time they enter the court to warm up. Players who warm up without wearing a full warm up uniform must also conform to the dress code, and have their shirts tucked inside their shorts and their shorts pulled up on their hips. If a player is wearing a t-shirt, other than the uniform shirt or a shooting shirt, over their uniform, this shall not be considered a warm up uniform, and their uniform shirt and shorts must conform to the above.

All questions about uniforms, jewelry and/or other materials worn by players may be addressed to the court officials who will make a ruling at that time. They will report to the GSBBO executive regarding the situation and their decision at which time. The GSBBO executive shall make a determination, which may or may not differ from the on court officials in that game. The Board Secretary/Treasurer shall then communicate this ruling to the coach involved, and to all officials, and cause it to be distributed to all coaches through the Athletic Association.  See also the Provincial Interpreter's memo regarding jewelry, medic alert and religious materials.

In order to assist scorers and timers in their duties it would be helpful if each coach had a prepared line up, listing the players numerically by their shirt number. If the team has 2 sets of shirts this might mean 2 different line ups according to the predominant colour of the uniform. These should be provided to the scorer/timer table immediately upon arrival at the court. Players who may be late or absent can be listed and scratched, if desired, prior to the game. Players who come late, but are not listed on the score sheet can enter the game only at the cost of a TECHNICAL FOUL, which counts towards the team total and the player total for bonus/disqualification. Therefore it might be wiser to leave them listed unless there is some operational or statistical reason for removing them.

Coach’s Note 4

MINOR OFFICIALS - THE TABLE CREW

            The boy’s season is now under way and everyone looks forward to an entertaining and intense time.  During the girl’s season a few problems cropped up that appear to be carried forward to this new season.  Every game counts and as the season wears on their importance becomes magnified.

            One of these problems that can have serious effect on the outcome of your games is the competency of the minor officials at the table.  Some schools have taken a very proactive approach to this and games played at their sites are less stressful for everyone, as the timing and record keeping are well done and generally error free.  Other schools, particularly those where a coach is a non-teacher, but not those alone, have yet to solve this dilemma.  Our association is prepared to help train table officials to ensure a good game.

            It is insufficient for a few words from the referee to suggest that the people at the table can now handle the task effectively.  A one hour workshop will provide the basics and game experience will hone the skills.  Before this gets in place it is necessary for someone in each of the schools involved to take charge of organizing a schedule of willing students and/or parents.

            We would also like to suggest that the group selected in each school should include students from all grade levels to maximize carry over from year to year.  Whether it is for community service, or cash payment, these individuals should be interested and willing participants who are convinced of their contribution to the game. In some years past the school's student council accepted this role and reimbursed the table officials.

            Coaches have become upset with their own table crews over even minor errors.  Imagine how upset it must leave these students when they are made to feel that they are hurting their own school mates on the team.  To give them more confidence, they need training and recognition.  Please try to supply your scorer with a clean black/white striped shirt to help them understand they are part of the officiating crew.  Game officials will be directed to ensure that coaches adhere to their box and that the table crews are afforded the respect and protection they deserve.  They are not the personal stats keeper for any coach.  They are an important part of the official crew.

            Coaches are encouraged to carrying a stats person on their bench who may be seated at the scorer’s table to maintain and review the records as the game goes on and to convey this information to their coach.  Otherwise the team captain may request necessary information from a floor official during a dead ball period.  A bench personnel other than the coach or assistant coach may approach the table during  dead ball periods to request particular information, such as how many time outs or fouls on a team player – not information about the other team or its players.

            Coaches may approach the table to request a correctable error or mistake, i.e. a score was erroneous credited or failed to be credited; possession arrow is wrong; score is wrong;  by asking the timer to call the official over during that dead ball period.  If there is no correction made, the team is charged with a time out, if a correction is made there is no time out charged.  Coaches who continually leave the coaching box and approach the table for information and/or to complain to the table crew about errors in their work will find a direct technical  facing them– 2 of them lead to ejection from the gym.

            This is a serious matter and many officials have been approached by parents who feel that their son/daughter’s team was unfairly treated because of inept table officials.  Officials have complained of games being delayed because there was no table crew, and that when someone was found they needed time to give them the barest instruction, and had to spend time through out the game making corrections.  This means that they can’t focus their attention on the play on the floor making it far more stressful for everyone concerned, as even the coaches can’t focus because they are looking to ensure no errors are occurring.

            Let’s see if this season every school can address this problem and bring some positive resolution to it.

Charles Ketter. SABO President

Oct. 15/04

Coach’s Notes - 5

Disqualified and Ejected Players

            A disqualified player is a team member who has accumulated 5 personal fouls or 2 technical fouls.  An ejected player is a disqualified player who has been removed from the game for a flagrant personal foul, fighting, entering the court from the bench when a fight breaks out; the second technical foul he/she acquires is considered flagrant as well.

            Such a player may remain seated on the bench and need not leave the gym.  However, as a disqualified player sitting on the bench his/her conduct may lead to additional technical fouls which will also be assessed to the head coach.  This could then lead to the coach’s ejection, which is mandatory removal from the gym to the dressing room, or away from the proximity of the gym.