I am curious. What states follow NFHS rules and policies completely? What states deviate and by how much?
Massachusetts has some differences.
1) we use a 30 sec shot clock
2) we have 5 full time outs (no 30 sec TO)
3) girls do not have a 10 sec backcourt count
4) we use the optional coaching box
5) new this year- mouthguards required

In PA the only difference is we use a seat belt rule for coaches - no coaching box. (also we tend to make up rules when two teams fight in the state playoffs).

I've seen rules made up in that situation also.

We also play halves, instead of quarters, which is why we have 5 time-outs.

That is not a difference, as the coaching box is a state adoption "optional" rule.

I knew there was something I was forgetting.
Thanks, Chuck.

Maryland
 

In Maryland Boys are straight NFHS while the girls use a 30 second shot clock and eliminate the 10 second back court count.

We also play halves, instead of quarters, which is why we have 5 time-outs.
[/B][/QUOTE]16 minute halves?

16 minute halves? [/B][/QUOTE]
Yup. I like it. 2 fewer "last shot" scenarios per game.

In Iowa, HS boys and girls are administered by separate state associations so the Girls union always throws a few differences in there to justify their existence. Iowa girls leave the first spaces in the lane empty instead of the top ones for free throws. There is also no jump ball but instead a coin flip to determine possesion at the start of the game. Coaches are allowed to stand in the box for girls but are confined to the bench in boys.

While it is true it is an optional rule, PA does not allow coaches to stand except to:
1. Call a time out
2. Go to scorers table to request an error to be corrected
3. Enter the court when beckoned by an official

Those events are a subset of the situations outlined by the NFHS for when a coach may stand when the "seatbelt" rule is in effect for coaches.

It is also my understanding that only one other state uses the seatbelt rule, I think Michigan, but I am not 100% sure of that.

You are instructed to T the coach if s/he stands spontaneously to cheer for an outstanding play?!?!?!

I think it might be Iowa. . . ;)

Mike: Didn't Iowa get rid of the (stupid) old "girls basketball" rules real late (like 1980something)? Well, I guess what they do now is better than that, at least. Hopefully they have gotten rid of the bloomers. Why don't they just join the boys association and let the girls play the same rules? Does this involve separate officials who can only officiate one or the other? Do they have the same season?

Minnesota is a follower
 

Here in Minnesota we seem to follow NFHS rules to a "T". There may be something I'm not thinking of, but to the best of my knowledge we don't deviate from the NFHS book.

Re: Minnesota is a follower
 

As nutty as it may sound, yes. If I see the coach standing, I ask the coach if he/she wants a time out, if they respond negatively, I can "T" 'em. I never said Pennsylvania was logical. I cut slack for new coaches coming from other states

In Utah we're pretty much NF. We do have the coaching box. I think we have adopted a mercy rule (suddenly can't recall exactly what was said at the first meeting). One difference is we allow the head coach onto the floor without being beckoned if there is a fight.

we follow real close
 

In MS we follow it really close.

There are some of the optional rules that we don't go with, but that's mentioned as optional in the book.

Thanks
David

Iowa Girls
 

Nine,
No bloomers in Iowa, but I believe we were one of the last states to switch the girls from 6 on 6 to the standard 5 person game. The Iowa High School Athletic Association oversees the boys sports and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union oversees girls. I have to pay a fee to both if I want to work both boys and girls basketball in Iowa. Most officials I know pay the fee to both organizations and work boys and girls. You must eventually pass the NF closed book test with score of 75% to become an approved official for boys, although you can pass the open book and work with a temporary certification for a few years. You only need to pass a 50 question open book test once to be approved to work girls games. I don't know of any officials that only work girls. The boys and girls seasons run at the same time, December through February with the tournaments wrapping up in March.

Re: we follow real close
 

David: Just curious, but what part of MS? I grew up in Hattiesburg (USM '70).