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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.
[B]Below is the NFHS definition of an intentional foul:
NFHS R4-S19-A3: An intentional foul is a personal or technical four designed to stop or keep the clock from starting, to neutralize an opponentÂ’s obvious advantageous position, contact away from the ball or when not playing the ball. IT MAY OR NOT BE PREMEDITATED and is not based on the severity of the act. A foul also shall be ruled intentional if while playing the all a player causes excessive contact with an opponent.
To me the spirit of the rule is to take coaches out of the game. The rule reads that we don't want deliberate fouls to stop the clock. The issue isn't a legitimate play on the ball, it the intent of the foul. In enforcing this rule, I can overlook statements that might tell teams to foul (code words) but if I hear foul, it's intentional. I've made this call a few times and they were obvious and not disputed. Maybe this rule needs to be reworded for next year. Also, I wasn't on the board early last year. Was there a discussion on this when it became a point of emphasis?
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