I have been seeing more players pulling their shirts over their face when a call is made against them. My opinion is that this is a direct attempt to disrespect an official and should be charged a T.

What are your opinions?

No disagreement here, that sounds like a direct T to me.

Player technical fro sure in this instance. Should come under rule 10.3.8a. "Disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a manner as to indicate resentment". Even if it was not meant as disrespectful, but to celebrate a win in the final seconds of a game, it could be a technical.

In other sports, official has the right to eject you from the game, e.g. soccer. HS player in Baltimore ended his HS career after ripping his shirt off celebrating a first half goal.

Try a stern word to the coach and/or player before you go to the T. It's not directed at you, so don't take it personally. Try to work with the coach and s/he'll thank you for it.

No one could criticize you for calling a technical. Just because it MIGHT not be directed at you (and I am not so sure about that since the player is definitely reacting to your call) doesn't make it acceptable behavior.

Maybe the player is experiencing deep shame and regret for causing you to use your whistle and is attempting to hide his face?

I would disagree with that.

Chuck, let me ask you a question - would you allow this kind of behavior in a woman's game? :)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TravelinMan

Quote:

Chuck, let me ask you a question - would you allow this kind of behavior in a woman's game? :)

Depends on what she looks like... ;)

From this question, it occurs to me that I may not be envisioning this the way everybody else sees it.

If the shirt is removed, or the torso exposed, then I would probably agree that this is so overt that it can't be ignored.

However, if the top of the shirt is simply pulled up to hide the player's face, I would almost certainly not give a T.

I wouldn't give a T either in this instance. I was seeing more overt response. OK, we are in agreement then.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by w_sohl

Quote:

Originally posted by TravelinMan Quote: Chuck, let me ask you a question - would you allow this kind of behavior in a woman's game? :) Depends on what she looks like... ;)

w_sohl, I don't know but if Dolly P. played basketball guys would come for miles around to see her get T'd up! LOL

I am tlking about pulling it up to cover his head
 

You have seen these guys do this. They pull their jersey up over their face, drop their hands, and walk around.

Re: I am tlking about pulling it up to cover his head
 

Actually, Damian, I have not seen guys do that. I don't know what I'd do with that. I hope that fad doesn't work its way to MA.

I wouldn't call the T. Everything is a situation, but from what was given, I'm not going to interptret this as being about me.

I'd probably mention that if he wants to stay in the game to get his shirt tucked in and keep it in. Otherwise, I'm not stirring the pot. My initial reaction when I read this post (and I have never seen this on the court) was that of shame. You know, like the ostrich head in the sand thing.

BTW, I have been coaching soccer for 10 years, I have never seen a player carded or even talked to by an official for pulling the shirt over the head in celebration of a goal. This type of celebration is not all that uncommon in the sport of soccer. I saw it happen this weekend as a matter of fact.