BASKETBALL WEEKLY BLAST #3
Please ensure you circulate the information in these “Weekly Blasts” throughout the season in an effort to consistently address the issues observed during GHSA games.
The #1 concern continues to be lack of sportsmanship during basketball games. It is imperative that you make use of the warning rule regarding the bench conduct. The warning lets the coach know there is concern with the behavior in the bench area without an actual penalty. But, after the warning you must penalize for future behavior issues. Coaches must understand that once they have received a warning, should they persist to complain the officials are compelled to issue a technical foul.
Coaches are the first element in controlling unacceptable actions during the games. If coaches cannot control their players bad things happen. Players and spectators are often a direct reflection of the coaches. When coaches display poor sportsmanship, their players usually follow his/her lead.
Officials are the gate keepers of sportsmanship during the contests. They have been instructed to have a “zero tolerance” for profanity, taunting, and assistant coach’s complaining about calls. Head coaches may question calls in a non-confrontational manner. But, once an official has responded it is time to move on and continue coaching. “That’s enough Coach” means just that.
Rough play must stop – especially in the lane on rebounds. A player who has legally gained a position on the court cannot be displaced by an opponent without a foul being called. Rough play needs to be cleaned up early in the game.
Enforcing the “automatics” on the ball handlers from the start of the game will allow for better freedom of movement and better flow to the game.
When a fight occurs on the court and the officials cannot defuse the situation without physical contact to the players, it is the responsibility of the head coaches and school game management to separate the combatants. Officials are to observe the bench areas, where assistant coaches should be keeping players in the bench area.
Game Reports for unsporting behavior must be submitted to the GHSA office within 72 hours of the incident(s). Fight reports must be submitted to the GHSA office within 24 hours of the incident.
Region tournaments will be officiated by the host school local association.
COVID restrictions are based on local school system decisions.
Be safe out there.
