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There are many instances where we don't get the "house rules" ahead of time. Nor do we get the "interpretations" of those rules . . . as conflicting and confusing as they may be at times. Having officiated many games over the years, using a variety of non-book rules, I now use the following rule of thumb.
Absent of a known "house rule", printed and agreed upon ahead of time, I'll enforce the rule as written in the applicable rule book (OBR, FED or NCAA). If there's an objection to that, on the field at the time of the occurence AND if both coaches agree, I'll abide by their agreed-upon house rule. If the coaches disagree, or if I have the written "house rule" in hand, I'll rule according to the book rule/written house rule as appropriate.
In 20+ years of officiating, I haven't had a single serious argument regarding interpretation of a so-called house rule. I've had to tell 'em occasionaly, "You guys have to straighten that out with the league; but this is what we're doing today. Let's get back to work."
Jerry
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