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I just thought I would share the craziest situation I've ever experienced on a basketball court.
Middle school girls, home team has had a substantial lead for most of the game. During the 4th quarter visitors mount a comeback and cut the lead to 2 with 1:31 left on the clock. At that time the home coach calls me to the bench and tells me there is a time limit and I have to call the game. No one told us about a time limit before the game and the visiting coach did not know about it. Anyway I tell the coach that I'm not going to stop the game, she goes balistic, then the AD comes onto the court. they're both screaming and yelling, running around me like two rabid chihuahuas. I threaten to T up the coach, she threatens to take her team off the court, I say if you take the team off the court your going to forfeit the game. finally the principal comes out to settle them down and explains to us that there is a time limit, and turns out the visiting boys coach knew about the rule. So we go ahead and call the game. Finally everything settles and the boys game goes off without a hitch. Turns out I was totally wrong and I probably could'nt have handled the situation much worse (that was my one mistake for this year,LOL) my problem with the whole deal was that the rules were not made known before the game (I thought they were trying to pull an Al Gore). I've heard the best way to learn is by making mistakes, I got quite an education tonight. |
So how's that work...
In GA, does each school have a set of bylaws that the officials must read for each different school, for each game. It seems a bit much to me, how long have you been calling ball in that area? This seems like something that would be at the top of the list for your organization Chalk Talk sesssion.
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JoeD1,
So all those little delays by the home team mounted up, and you were not able to run the game fairly because you were not given the proper rules. It was not fair to you, or to your game. mick |
I find it hard to believe that they didn't tell you before the game. Personally, I wouldnot even think to ask the question. You could have shortened half time, or taken any other number of steps to get the game in.
I would also report the behavior of the coach and AD to the state. You should have hit them both with T's for acting like children. If they ended up losing because of it, oh well, they should have let you know there was a limit. I don't know how any other states are, but here in my state, they really take a hard line on how the fed rules are in relation to games. If there is no provision in the Fed book, then you cannot do it. As an official if you allow it to happen, then they hold you responsible. |
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what do you mean, when you say provisions...and being held responsible??? Could Joe have just said, 'The game will go on and possibly been justified.' (A) in his state (B) in your state, under the same circumstances. |
In GA there are time limits for weekday games for H.S.
the girls varsity(followed by boys) games must start NLT 6 PM this means all JV games must end prior to 5:45. I believe that the last game of Middle school games must start NLT 6: pm on weekdays. JV officials usually can set QTR and half times to adjust. This is found in the policy and precedures letter that all officials who register with Ga are supposed to recieve. |
What I mean is:
The fed says we can shorten quarters with both coaches approval. We cannot play quarters with running clock, stop a game midway because of a time limit, or use any kind of a slaughter rule. Even if both coaches want to do it, we cannot allow it. It is on us to apply proper fed rules. Same goes for volleyball. The fed does not allow rally scoring. Even if the coaches want to use it, we cannot allow it to happen. This is just one of those things that is different from state to state. If they find out we allowed something like that to happen, I would guess we could be fined, put on probation, or lose tourney games. Or all three if they want. |
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What is rally scoring? mick |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by mick
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On the original situation (time limit; official and opposing coach don't know it) -- note in the score book that at (time limit) the score was (x to y). Then finish the game. If it turns out that there was a time limit, revert to the score at that time. If not, use the score at the end of the game. |
It is what everyone in the world, except fed, uses. Basically, every side out results in a point regardless if you are serving or not. Usually makes games/matches go faster.
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Thanks, Bob.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bob jenkins
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Kinda like a rain delay on the diamond. Cool! mick |
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Then, instead of watching paint dry for an hour, it may only take 40-45 minutes. Maybe 5 games could then be played instead of just three.:) mick |
So Basically...
the school's time rule was a violation of the (Fed) rules?
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I don't think so.
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I believe the Fed merely suggests. It is up to individual states to install addenda. No violations involved. mick |
Personally, I have no problem with getting us and the kids home at a decent hour, we just cannot do what they did here. By the book, I think it violates the Fed rules as stated, unless there is a state variance. States can trump that rule if they wish or they could use an "experimental" rule that will supercede the book.
Fed rules are open to any interp the state wants, and they can make any changes that they want. If OH didn't want to have three pointers anymore, they could remove that rule. Some states use a shot clock, other don't. Where ever you go, remember the term "when in rome, do as the romans". I think it was created because of fed rules and the states ability to twist them. Trust me when I say that MS volleyball would be so much more enjoyable if we had rally scoring. Some states do use it, but until the Fed catches up, we're stuck. |
Joe, with 1:31 left on the 4th quarter clock, and the visitors coming back from a huge deficit, AND the fact that no one reminded you about the time deadline UNTIL the home coach was about to lose...
I might have T'ed up the coach and the AD for unsportsmanlike conduct, given the visitors 4 shots, and if they would have made them, called the game...visitors win! Of course, you might not have "made it out of Dodge", but it would have made a great story for your grandchildren some day!! |
Re: So Basically...
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In addition to doing high school ball, I both officiate and coach at the middle school level. The problem (as I see it) is that the Fed rules do not explicitly govern middle school contests. Each league, tournament, etc. adopts its own rules at the middle school level. They are usually expressed as addenda to the Fed rules. Some of the rules even start by saying something like, "NFHS rules apply with the following exceptions...." For most coaches and refs who do MS ball, "special" rules are not only the norm, but change from league to league and tourney to tourney. Like you, I have been caught being underinformed about local rules. I now usually won't begin a game without seeing the league's rules in print. It is the coaches' and league's responsibility to provide them, and they certainly have no right to complain if they cannot show you the printed rules. If I cannot see the rules in print, I do a quick pregame with the coaches and say, "my understanding is that this game will be governed by NFHS rules. Are there any exceptions to those rules that I should know about?" If the coaches come up with a crazy rule later on that I was not aware of, I bring the coaches back together and remind them of our previous conversation. Here are some of the more common rule changes from my experience: * Clock rules (shorter quarters, running clock, time limit, etc. * 3 second call (often extended for younger players) * No 3-point basket * Shortened free throw line * Various full-court press restrictions (a REAL trouble spot, IMHO. Every league around here has its own crazy press rule with ill-defined specifics and penalties) * No shots on a "T" - just award two points and the ball * Number, length of time-outs I'm probably forgetting some, but these are the main ones I've come across. |
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