2015/16 NFHS Rule Interpretations

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by OKREF

Pre game meeting--Coach's do you understand the new rule emphasis? No, okay, stay out of the free throw semi circle until the ball hits the ring, its a violation and foul for contact. Any questions?

Why go there at all? I kinda think if it happens, call it and if it doesn't don't. Why invite discussion about this?

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Why go there at all? I kinda think if it happens, call it and if it doesn't don't. Why invite discussion about this?

I understand both viewpoints. Some officials hold coaches responsible for knowing the rules... As coaches should, other officials like to avoid any possible issue.

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[OKREF]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Why go there at all? I kinda think if it happens, call it and if it doesn't don't. Why invite discussion about this?

Now, if I have to call it, there isn't any discussion about it during the game, it also is preventative officiating, if I handle it pre game, when a coach may not know the rule, I can avoid any conflict during the game. It was covered during pre game.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by OKREF

Now, if I have to call it, there isn't any discussion about it during the game, it also is preventative officiating, if I handle it pre game, when a coach may not know the rule, I can avoid any conflict during the game. It was covered during pre game.

And what else to you cover in your pre-game rules clinic for the coaches?

OK, that was overly snarky, but IMO this is a bit of pandora's box -- I don't see this rule as so significant that it warrants singling out more than any other relatively unusual situation.

[OKREF]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

And what else to you cover in your pre-game rules clinic for the coaches?

OK, that was overly snarky, but IMO this is a bit of pandora's box -- I don't see this rule as so significant that it warrants singling out more than any other relatively unusual situation.

If it isn't significant why has there been such a debate over it? This is a fairly big change. I'm not in the habit of having a rules meeting when meeting with coaches, but covering this, especially at the beginning of the season will help when it has to be called in a game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by OKREF

If it isn't significant why has there been such a debate over it? This is a fairly big change.

This is not a "big change". There's been a lot of debate because the NFHS, with a little help from IAABO, "made the easy look difficult". IAABO broached this issue last season by stepping out of it's role of educating officials and, instead, made up interpretations that didn't match the rules that existed at the time. This year, the NFHS made it worse by publishing a point of emphasis without backing it with a rule, or a penalty.

“If you left a hundred monkeys in front of a hundred typewriters for a hundred years eventually you’d manage to get a Shakespearean sonnet.” (Thomas Henry Huxley)

.. and give them another 100 years and they could do a better job of writing basketball rules than the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by OKREF

Now, if I have to call it, there isn't any discussion about it during the game, it also is preventative officiating, if I handle it pre game, when a coach may not know the rule, I can avoid any conflict during the game. It was covered during pre game.

While I understant this POV, I've found it a slippery slope. If you discuss it with Captains/Coaches, then you MUST call it during the game - every time. Because if not, then you get the - "Get him off him." "Hey, that's a hand check! You said you would call that!"

I prefer the short, coaches meeting - sportsmanship, properly equipped, good luck.

[OKREF]

Originally Posted by grunewar

While I understant this POV, I've found it a slippery slope. If you discuss it with Captains/Coaches, then you MUST call it during the game - every time. Because if not, then you get the - "Get him off him." "Hey, that's a hand check! You said you would call that!"

I prefer the short, coaches meeting - sportsmanship, properly equipped, good luck.

I have never said in a coaches meeting I'm going to call this or that. I understand where your coming from. As for this new interp, I'm pretty sure when it happens and I call it, I'm almost certain all it will take is one time.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by OKREF

Pre game meeting--Coach's do you understand the new rule emphasis? No, okay, stay out of the free throw semi circle until the ball hits the ring, its a violation and foul for contact. Any questions?

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

Why go there at all? I kinda think if it happens, call it and if it doesn't don't. Why invite discussion about this?

My pregame meeting: Players properly equipped, Players wearing uniforms properly, Practice good sportsmanship. Period.

Our local interpreter goes over the new rules, and points of emphasis, with coaches at a preseason meeting.

I often show up early at scrimmages to see if coaches have any questions about the new rules.

Once the "real" season starts, I will answer polite questions, but I won't take any initiative to invite coaches to participate in a rules clinic.