Leave the court 10-6-5

[SC Official]

The warning only applies to Article 1. That’s why they wrote “Art. 1” in parentheses before “The official shall warn...”

[Shooter14]

In JH game last night at the end of the first quarter, had a player run across the floor into the stands where mommy or daddy had a gatorade bottle for them. According to the rule, if you were going to penalize what would be proper protocol you think? Warning, nothing? T?

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by Shooter14

In JH game last night at the end of the first quarter, had a player run across the floor into the stands where mommy or daddy had a gatorade bottle for them. According to the rule, if you were going to penalize what would be proper protocol you think? Warning, nothing? T?

The rule says that the head coach cannot permit team members to leave the bench for an unauthorized reason. Going to see Mom and Dad is an authorized reason as far as I am (and all officials should be) concerned.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Shooter14

In JH game last night at the end of the first quarter, had a player run across the floor into the stands where mommy or daddy had a gatorade bottle for them. According to the rule, if you were going to penalize what would be proper protocol you think? Warning, nothing? T?

Originally Posted by SC Official

The rule says that the head coach cannot permit team members to leave the bench for an unauthorized reason. Going to see Mom and Dad is an authorized reason as far as I am (and all officials should be) concerned.

The only thing I would be concerned would be did they also have a Gatorade for me!

MTD, Sr.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by SC Official

The rule says that the head coach cannot permit team members to leave the bench for an unauthorized reason. Going to see Mom and Dad is an authorized reason as far as I am (and all officials should be) concerned.

While I wouldn't likely do anything here, I'm not so sure the NFHS would consider that an authorized reason. They really don't want players leaving the bench for unnecessary reasons. It may be necessary to go see mom and dad, perhaps to get a new contact lens, but just going to say hello is not what I would think would be authorized.

Going to the end of the bench or behind the bench or even to the locker room for a trainer to work on them...authorized. Going to the bathroom....authorized. Hanging out with friends/family away from the bench, not authorized.

[deecee]

This issue is not as big a deal as one would think coming to this forum. The only time this may be an actual issue is if there is a player attitude problem other than that who the heck pays attention to the bench during the game if one kid gets up and leaves?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by deecee

This issue is not as big a deal as one would think coming to this forum. The only time this may be an actual issue is if there is a player attitude problem other than that who the heck pays attention to the bench during the game if one kid gets up and leaves?

Exactly!

[Kelvin green]

Now... I am going to play devils advocate....

Is the purpose behind the rule a safety rule for the child’s protection? While on the bench they are (presumably) under adult supervision. The Player runs to the “bathroom” unsupervised... The player left to go to the bathroom because he or she was despondent over a play... over being pulled... for whatever reason... and causes harm to him or herself... We see it don’t say anything?

Or something happens to the player on the way to the bathroom? Or getting Gatorade...?

What happens if officials purposely ignore a safety rule that places a child in jeopardy?

The reasonable referee enforces rules, especially safety rules so that they can show they exhibit the ordinary care that a reasonable referee would exercise.

Call me crazy but we have to know what’s going on in the bench area and if someone leaves.... I would think if they left for the bathroom or illness it becomes authorized when an adult goes with them.

Just a different perspective to think about...