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Originally Posted by BillyMac
To followup on Jurassic Referee's recent post, for your information:
NFHS 2006-07 Points of Emphasis
5. Rules Enforcement and Proper Use of Signals
The committee has seen a movement away from the consistent application of rule enforcement and use of approved mechanics/signals.
A. Rules Enforcement. Officials need to be aware that personal interpretations of the rules have a negative impact on the game. The rules are written to provide a balance between offense and defense, minimize risks to participants, promote the sound tradition of the game and promote fair play. Individual philosophies and deviations from the rules as written negatively impact the basic fundamentals and tenants of the rules. Officials must be consistent in the application of all rules, including:
• Contact – Contact that is not considered a foul early in the game should not be considered a foul late in the game simply because a team “wants” to foul. Conversely, contact that is deemed intentional late in the game should likewise be called intentional early in the game.
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The "contact" entry above is a perfect example of how the Fed is out of touch. I was at a jamboree today that was staffed almostly exclusively by officials inexperienced in 3-whistle mechanics. One of the crews I watched finish up a ballgame followed the "contact" guidelines above to a T, and because they did, the very nearly lost control of the game late. Team B is down eight points in the last minute, trying to give a foul, but not coming up with much in the way of contact. Lots of swipes, some light contact; three or four of these go uncalled (passing on this level of contact earlier in the game would have been fine), so finally team B gets in a good, solid push. Intentional foul rightly called, then crew has to step in to break up a near-fight.
If they had allowed Team B to give a touch foul, things are much better. I'll take my medicine from higher-ups if they choose to give it to me, but if a team is trying to give a foul late, I'm going to let them do it without letting things get to the point where they feel they have to commit an "obvious" foul for me to blow.