Coach Conduct and Bench Decorum

FABL is implementing a ZERO tolerance policy on inappropriate behavior and communication with an Official. The conduct of a coach determines the conduct of the parents and players. We will not permit Coaches, Players or Spectators to inappropriately address our Officials.

Coach Location

• Only Coaches who completed a background check and have a visible badge are allowed to coach the children.
• Coaches are permitted to stand and move in their ‘bench area’ for the purpose of instruction to players.
• Only the head coach is permitted to be standing during game play. Assistant coaches must remain seated on the bench.
• No coaches are permitted to be on the baseline or areas away from the bench instructing players.

Coach Communication

• ONLY the Head Coach is allowed to communicate to an Official.
• Coaches are NOT permitted to yell at nor berate an Official.
• A Head Coach may request a conversation with an Official about a rule interpretation during a time-out, but these are for informational purposes only and will not result in a change of any call.
• Repeated outward complaining from a Head Coach will be penalized.
• Any negative communication to an Official from an Assistant Coach will be immediately penalized.
• Coaches are NOT to follow Officials off the floor at half-time or end of game.

Penalty

FABL will not recognize the ‘Indirect Technical Foul’ penalty. ANY and ALL Technical Fouls directed to Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Bench Players and team spectators will be a Direct Technical Foul toward the Head Coach. Officials are not ‘required’ to give a warning prior to assessing a Technical Foul.

An Official may also bypass the Technical Foul provisions and immediately eject a Coach, Assistant, Player or Spectator if necessary.

• First Technical Foul – Head Coach must remain seated the remainder of the game. Assistants are still not permitted to be off the bench.
• Second Technical Foul – Head Coach is disqualified from the game and must leave the area of the gymnasium.

Any Coach who is Disqualified (2 Technical Fouls), or Ejected, will be suspended for the teams next game.

Spectators

• Per Carroll County Rec & Parks, any spectator ejected from a gym or school facility at the discretion of the referee and/or board official will be barred from attending any County sponsored games for one year.