Mercy rule

stan-MI · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 01:32pm

Had my first running clock of the season last week in a girls varsity game. The spread was 39 at halftime, even though the winning team had stopped pressing at the quarter, substituted freely, and dropped into a zone defense. The final spread was 59 points.

What states have implemented a mercy rule this year? Everyone in Michigan is glad to have it back.

JRutledge · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 02:14pm

Quote:

Originally posted by stan-MI

What states have implemented a mercy rule this year? Everyone in Michigan is glad to have it back.

It appears that my state from several conversations with people in the know, we are not doing this. And if it was going to happen, it is not happening during the playoffs at all. It is still early and we have not gotten our information yet, but I do not think we will have any kind of mercy rule.

Peace

Mlancaster · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 02:42pm

I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks, but I do not think GA will implement this either.

I personally have mixed feelings on it. What's more emabarassing to the kids...Getting blown out, or having someone tell you that you can't finish BECAUSE you are getting blown out?? But, at the same time, it does seem crazy to continue on with these games sometimes.

I guess my question to you is, do you think that the mercy rule will clean things up and stop flaring tempers before they happen??? The jury is out in my book............

Mlancaster · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 02:47pm

can't finish BECAUSE you are getting blown out

I do mean finish a normal game, not that they don't actually play to the end......

BktBallRef · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 02:58pm

In NC, the coaches voted to not use the mercy rule.

Adam · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 07:21pm

Just a thought, but would a rule such as this encourage a coach to "call of the dogs" more quickly in order to ensure his kids get a full game?

oc · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 08:10pm

Or do the opposite and press longer than necessary in order to force it to happen and then call of the dogs?

Chin Ref · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 08:18pm

OC, may I know what is 'call of the dog'.
When I'm in a blow out game, at half time, I often offer my partner to bet for a beer whoever calls the first foul on the losing side.

Adam · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Sep 15, 2003, 08:24pm

"call off the dogs" is an expression we use in the states. In basketball, it amounts to putting in substitutes, pulling off your press, dropping into a zone, not shooting three point shots, not running trick plays, or any combination of the above.
OC has a point, though.
Adam

oc · #10 (**permalink**) Tue Sep 16, 2003, 12:01am

Where I ref here in Japan we get our share of lopsided games. (small international schools playing large military schools). No decision has been made yet about the mercy rule. What we have done in some games in the past is turn off the score and just use the clock (whenever both coaches agree). If we put in the mercy rule I foresee some heavy first half presses.--I'll also get home a lot earlier.

mj · #11 (**permalink**) Tue Sep 16, 2003, 08:14am

Wisconsin coaches chose not to have the mercy rule.

Mark

Damian · #12 (**permalink**) Tue Sep 16, 2003, 01:34pm

Course we have a reputation for that anyway.

CYO Butch · #13 (**permalink**) Wed Sep 17, 2003, 08:16am

In Maryland, for private schools it is being left up to the individual leagues. As far as I know, there has not been a final decision yet for the public schools.

zebraman · #14 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 18, 2003, 10:38am

Does not sound as if we'll be using the mercy rule here in Washington State this year.

Z

tnroundballref · #15 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 18, 2003, 10:47am

TSSAA voted not to use it.