NFHS Update

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It appears that they clearly used similar language from the NCAA in this rules change. You keep going back to some older interpretation that may or may not still apply ... All reasonable signs point towards an NCAA change.

Similar language was the word "deflection" (a common word in the game of basketball).

I agree that the word is used in the NCAA version of the backcourt rule, and that may be a reasonable sign that the NFHS is going in a direction further than that indicated in the press release.

But the word was also used in the bitterly criticized NFHS interpretation, also a reasonable sign that the NFHS just wants to fix a broken interpretation (which, by the way, is also mentioned in the press release).

Older? The NFHS, just last year, doubled down on that bitterly criticized interpretation, making it less than a year old.

We've seen the new backcourt rule language in its entirety. Backcourt is not going to be a Point of Emphasis. The press release stated that the change was to clarify an "inconsistency in interpretation". That's what I'm basing my opinion on. Are those not reasonable signs (I've offered that your side may also be based on reasonable signs)?

I seriously doubt that the NFHS can move to the NCAA version of the backcourt deflection rule without any additional change in the new rule language. An editorial change (which we haven't yet seen), on its own, won't do the trick (editorial changes are usually just minor changes). They wouldn't (or maybe they would, after all, it is the NFHS were discussing here) come up with an NCAA-type deflection backcourt annual interpretation without additional rule language changes (like the NCAA rule). It can happen, but I doubt that it will be this coming season.

I'm just happy that they (apparently) changed that horrible "simultaneous last to touch, first to touch" interpretation. I probably would have never ruled that in a game (if I did it would have taken all the game management skills that I have to keep a coach from being ejected, "But the defender deflected the ball into the backcourt".), but it really bothered me when the NFHS doubled down on it last year.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Similar language was the word "deflection" (a common word in the game of basketball).

I agree that the word is used in the NCAA version of the backcourt rule, and that may be a reasonable sign that the NFHS is going in a direction further than that indicated in the press release.

But the word was also used in the bitterly criticized NFHS interpretation, also a reasonable sign that the NFHS just wants to fix a broken interpretation (which, by the way, is also mentioned in the press release).

Older? The NFHS, just last year, doubled down on that bitterly criticized interpretation, making it less than a year old.

I will put it this way. Our State Administrator for Basketball said that there seems to be a trend from the NF to adopt NCAA Rules for rules changes. So since they adopted this only real rules change, I would doubt that the conversation was not about the NCAA Rule change from last year. I really do not care what the NF doubled down on as it appears that was controversial at least here and if there was a change here, they had to be acutely aware what the NCAA recently changed. If they changed an entire rule to apply to one interpretation and that interpretation was clearly not mentioned in the current literature, then that is awful specific that would have other implications. If they said that "last touch, first touch" was the rule but they have an exception if the defense deflects the ball, then to me that sounds a lot like the NCAA rule.

Again, I reserve the right to see what comes out later from the NF. We are not resolving this in this conversation. I just would find it odd. But as a multiple sports officials that have seen the NF play games with language, anything is possible. And this was at least a clearer than other NF rules when they adopted "horsecollar" language in football or even "obstruction" rules changes in baseball the first time around. I know the NF had to come back and clarify their language or even change the language to reflect their intentions after the fact. Maybe that will be done here too. I have little confidence in the NF's ability to realize the impact of their changes when the wording is the most key part of their understanding of what is intended.

Stay tuned.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Our State Administrator for Basketball said that there seems to be a trend from the NF to adopt NCAA Rules for rules changes. then to me that sounds a lot like the NCAA rule.

Agree with both you, and your State Administrator (didn't need him, I would have just agreed with you). I've seen the "trickle down" effect in action for over thirty-seven years. It never ever goes uphill, its always downhill (NCAA to NFHS). And this is what makes your argument reasonable.

Yes, I find it odd that the NFHS would come out with a rule change press release with the sole purpose (other than something about pebbles on a basketball) of fixing a badly broken interpretation.

Originally Posted by Rich

I can't imagine a huge headline just to close a weird interpretation, to be honest with you.

But, I don't believe that there's enough "meat" in the new rule language to make the change to the NCAA rule. If the NFHS was going to make change (and they may eventually do it, see the trickle down rule above) they would have put in some additional rule language, that would have been publicized in the press release. Why keep it a secret?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I have little confidence in the NF's ability to realize the impact of their changes when the wording is the most key part of their understanding of what is intended.

Agree. See "throwin team control backcourt" rule.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We've seen the new backcourt rule language in its entirety. Backcourt is not going to be a Point of Emphasis. The press release stated that the change was to clarify an "inconsistency in interpretation". That's what I'm basing my opinion on. Are those not reasonable signs (I've offered that your side may also be based on reasonable signs)?

You seem to be the only person here making that point of view. I do not recall when a rule was changed they had a POE dealing with the rule they changed. Usually, the change is emphasized enough. I am sure there will be several interpretations or examples to highlight the change.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I seriously doubt that the NFHS can move to the NCAA version of the backcourt deflection rule without any additional change in the new rule language. An editorial change (which we haven't yet seen), on its own, won't do the trick. They wouldn't (or maybe they would, after all, it is the NFHS were discussing here) come up with an NCAA-type deflection backcourt annual interpretation without additional rule language changes (like the NCAA rule). It can happen, but I doubt that it will be this coming season.

What else needs to be changed? Interpretations can and have been changed all the time to reflect the intention of the rules they want to be applied. And they have not announced the editorial changes to my knowledge. Maybe they will do that and this will all go away (at least I can hope).

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not recall when a rule was changed they had a POE dealing with the rule they changed. Usually, the change is emphasized enough.

Agree. My reference was irrelevant, it's just that I was running out of ammunition and had to throw something, like the bad guys throwing their empty revolvers at Superman. Yeah, bullets can't hurt Superman, but a thrown revolver can?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... they have not announced the editorial changes to my knowledge.

You're right, they haven't. But don't hang your hat on that one. Editorial changes are usually minor changes and a change to the NCAA backcourt deflection rule would be a big change that would need additional rule language changes.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

You're right, they haven't. But don't hang your hat on that one. Editorial changes are usually minor changes and a change to the NCAA backcourt deflection rule would be a big change that would need additional rule language changes.

Why would you need additional language? Just get rid of the stupid interpretation. Problem solved.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Why would you need additional language? Just get rid of the stupid interpretation. Problem solved.

I believe that additional language would be needed to make the NFHS make the full switch to the NCAA deflection backcourt rule (not to fix the stupid interpretation, which the new language hopefully now takes makes null and void).

The stupid interpretation may be correct by the ultra strictest most literal interpretation of the rule language (simultaneous last to touch, first to touch), at least according to the stupid interpretation (publicized twice for good measure.) Getting rid of the stupid interpretation would certainly be one way to deal with it. I prefer that it completely match the written rule, now with the exception built in, to bury this issue for good, for all time. This was a case where the old literal written rule didn't really match the intent and purpose of the rule, although I'm sure that most of us would, in a real game, have ruled by intent and purpose rather than the old literal written rule with its stupid interpretation.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I believe that additional language would be needed to make the NFHS make the full switch to the NCAA deflection backcourt rule (not to fix the stupid interpretation, which the new language hopefully now takes makes null and void).

The stupid interpretation may be correct by the ultra strictest most literal interpretation of the rule language (simultaneous last to touch, first to touch), at least according to the stupid interpretation (publicized twice for good measure.) Getting rid of the stupid interpretation would certainly be one way to deal with it. I prefer that it completely match the written rule, now with the exception built in, to bury this issue for good, for all time. This was a case where the old literal written rule didn't really match the intent and purpose of the rule, although I'm sure that most of us would, in a real game, have ruled by intent and purpose rather than the old literal written rule with its stupid interpretation.

Again, why would you need a big language change? Everyone was not an engineer (or something similar) by trade. Most people did not even realize there was this interpretation for years. People would find it on a whim because they either were told this existed or they read it on their own. And I know many officials that found this out and basically said it would not happen or they would not enforce it that way.

As I said before, you are worrying about this too much IMHO. If they just magically let go of the interpretation and it just was not in the casebook, I think people would be just fine. Keep in mind not many people (even here) are debating how complicated this new rule is. I have seen this rule posted and talked about on more than one social media outlet and I have not seen the point of view once that you have stated as a concern. That should tell you something.

I also do not think that they can make this change without supporting interpretations to give examples of exactly the intent of this rule and not the intended applications. I am sure there will be a play or two in the S&I Rulebook and the Guidebook will give several plays that address this change as well. And I am willing to wait for the process to be complete. Until then when camp is going on this summer, we will just tell them to consider the deflection to be "all bets are off" or use the NCAA rule.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Again, why would you need a big language change?

... To switch to the NCAA backcourt deflection rule.

Wouldn't we need language similar to the NCAA version? I don't believe that it can be done with just this exception to the current NFHS rule.

An EXCEPTION added to the backcourt violation (9-9-1): To ensure that an offensive team is not unfairly penalized when the ball is deflected by the defense from the frontcourt to the backcourt. This exception allows the offense to recover the ball (that still has frontcourt status) in the backcourt without penalty

This doesn't seem to cover the NCAA situation where the ball is deflected away from the ball handler by the defense, and then the offense, in an attempt to regain the ball, sends the ball, without player control, from the frontcourt into the backcourt.

These (below) are not the same:

NCAA: 9-12-5 A pass or any other loose ball in the front court that is deflected by a defensive player, which causes the ball to go into the backcourt may be recovered by either team even if the offense was the last to touch the ball before it went into the backcourt.

NFHS 9-9-1: EXCEPTION: Any player located in the backcourt may recover a ball deflected from the frontcourt by the defense.

There must be a language change to change the current (new) NFHS rule into the NCAA rule. The new NFHS exception alone won't do the trick.