Coaches Conduct By: Kenny Lonkard

A few trends getting more attention: 1)To many coaches/persons in corner or trying to surround the mat. See rule # ART During tournament competition, a maximum of two team personnel (coaches and/or non-participating contestants) will be permitted on chairs at the edge of the mat. It is permissible to allow coaches on the corner of the mat in a restricted zone. In tournaments where coaches are permitted on the corner of the mat, the restricted zone shall be defined by either a contrasting line marked on the mat with paint or tape or a contrasting colored surface under the chairs. The restricted zone shall be no closer than 5 feet to the edge of the circle. Coaches shall be seated at least 10 feet from the scorer's table, where facilities permit.

Trend 1: We as officals need to be more consistent across the state of not allowing too many coaches in corners or surrounding the mat during the whole year. It will only make everyones job easier come post- season. Remember failure to comply with our instructions is unsportsmanlike conduct of head coach and deducts 1 team point. Try to control this before loss of team points.

Trend 2: Coaches are bringing officials to the table more frequently. See rule ART When a coach requests a conference with the referee at the scorer’s table regarding a possible misapplication of a rule, and it is determined there was no misapplication or when, during a conference at the scorer’s table, the coach questions the judgment of the referee, coach misconduct shall be called. The coach misconduct penalty shall always be charged to the head coach.

Trend 2: (con’t) Some coaches like to bring us to the table way too often. Even if they are asking the right way and questioning your judgment it is interrupting the flow of the match and can’t be allowed to go on.

Trend 3: More verbal abuse from the corners while the match is taking place. See rule ART Contestants. Unsportsmanlike conduct involves physical or nonphysical acts and they can occur before, during or after a match. It includes, but is not limited to, such acts as failure to comply with the direction of the referee, pushing, shoving, swearing, taunting, intimidation, baiting an opponent, throwing ear guards or any other equipment, spitting, the clearing of the nasal passage in other than the proper receptacle, repeatedly dropping to one knee to break locked hands, indicating displeasure with a call, failure to keep shoulder straps up while on the mat and failure to comply with the end-of-match procedure. Continuing acts of unsportsmanlike conduct or any unsportsmanlike conduct may be construed as flagrant misconduct.

Case Book and Manual Section 12-2 and Section : During the course of any match, it is permissible for the coach or personnel on the team bench to give directions and encouragement to the wrestler on the mat, provided the instruction is given in a unsportsmanlike manner. Examples of acts that are always unsportsmanlike include: (a) the use of an artificial aid, mechanical device or electronic communication device; (b) attempting to influence the decision by a referee or disrespectfully addressing a referee or indicating objections to a referees decision; (c) baiting, berating, or criticizing the opponent: or (d) acts which incite the crowd. Need to penalize as per penalty chart.

13-3 Unsportsmanlike conduct of coaches and other team personnel includes any act that becomes abusive or interfers with the orderly progress of the match. This would include bench decorum, acts of disrespect or any action that incites negative reaction.

Recap to points of emphasis: 1.Keep 2 persons (maximum) per corner. 2.Limit interruptions by coaches. 3.Control verbal abuse from corners. Officials must develop their own personal styles of handling situations with coaches while staying consistent and firm.