North Texas Basketball Officials Association (NTBOA)

It is important to maintain control over a team's bench throughout the course of a game. Under the technical foul section, rule 10.4 states the head coach is responsible for his/her own conduct and behavior, as well as substitutes, disqualified team members and all other bench personnel. Bench personnel, including the head coach, shall not:

Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as:
a. Disrespectfully addressing an official.
b. Attempting to influence an official's decision.
c. Using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures.
d. Disrespectfully addressing, bating or taunting an opponent.
e. Objecting to an official's decision by rising from the bench or using gestures.
f. Inciting undesirable crowd reactions.
g. Being charged with fighting.
h. Removing the jersey and/or pants/skirts within the visual confines of the playing area.
i. Grasping either basket except to prevent injury; dunking or stuffing, or attempting to dunk or stuff a dead ball.

Rule 10.4 goes onto say in article 4, that bench personnel shall not stand at the team bench while the clock is running or stopped, and must remain seated, except:
a. The head coach.
b. When a team member is reporting to the scorer's table.
c. During a time-out or the intermission between quarters and extra periods.
d. To spontaneously react to an outstanding play be a team member or to acknowledge a replaced player, but must immediately return to his/her seat.

The penalty for a violation is two free throws plus ball for division line throw in. Be sure and exercise preventive officiating and communicate with head coaches. Ask them to work with you and keep their team seated if you witness an infraction. Please keep in mind that once a technical is called on the bench, the head coach must remain seated for the remainder of the game, except for calling time out or spontaneous reaction to a good play. Be sure you correct bench behavior early as a preventive measure so things do not get out of hand late in the game when it really matters.

Click Here for Rule Book Reference 10.4