NFHS 2020,21 POE's

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

Maybe it's just my part of Rome, but Freddy and others that have observed camps & scrimmages I've attended have discouraged use of the bird dog because the use of a good preliminary signal at the spot of the foul ("White 5 with a push. Blue ball on the side.") tells those involved what they need to know. I can't help wondering what other areas have this philosophy despite the newest POE.

Since those camps and scrimmages referenced by Stat-Man, the state of Michigan adopted a revised set of approved mechanics. The section regarding "At the Site of the Foul" is posted below, not to insist upon one detail right or wrong in comparison to what the NFHS or other states have approved, merely FYI.

At the Site of the Foul

When a foul is observed by an official, the following signaling and mechanic procedure must be followed:

1. Sound the whistle with a single sharp blast while raising one hand, fist clenched, straight and high above the head, the stop-the-clock signal for a foul.

2. Pointing at or to the person who fouls (the “bird dog” signal) must be avoided. If clarification is needed to distinguish between players in close proximity, verbalization must identify the player who committed the foul.

3. While holding the stop-the-clock, move toward the play and near the fouling player, stop and verbally inform the player that he fouled by stating the jersey color and number.

4. Lower the foul signal and indicate the nature of the foul by giving an approved preliminary signal (optional), followed by an indication of whether or not a score must be counted and/or the number of free throws resulting or the location of the subsequent throw-in.

5. If a player control foul is committed, the approved signal sequence is: a. Stop the clock with a raised arm and closed fist accompanied by the whistle. b. Player control foul signal. c. A directional signal with a closed fist (a “punch”) pointing in the direction of the non-fouling team’s end line.

6. If a team control (non-player control) foul is committed, the approved signal sequence is: a. Stop the clock with a raised arm and closed fist accompanied by the whistle. b. A directional signal with a closed fist (a “punch”) pointing in the direction of the non-fouling team’s end line.

7. If the foul is a shooting foul and the try was unsuccessful, give the approved signal for the number of free throws to follow while at the site and verbalize of the type of foul committed. NOTE: Officials should not use any signal or verbiage referencing the shooter being “on the floor” in order to indicate the foul will not result in free throws.

8. Before leaving the site, verbalize the number of the player shooting free throws, if applicable, expressing the number of free throws to the non-calling officials, or point to the location of the throw-in.

9. If a goal has been legally scored, use the “goal counts” signal, followed by either the two or three-point signal, depending on the number of points awarded.

10. If a score is not to be awarded, immediately cancel the attempt with the ”no score” signal. Verbalization of whichever signals are used is recommended.

11. The ruling official must not be in a rush to leave the area if players are in close proximity or on the floor. Attend to the dead-ball situation at the point of the play before leaving to report to the scorer.