If you could change only one NF rule, what would it be? Here are some candidates:

1) do not allow BI to be called on a throw in
2) following a technical, go to POI
3) eliminate closely guarded and backcourt counts in shot clock games
4) make all unsportsmanlike technicals also indirects on the head coach
5) make the penalty for reaching across the boundary and hitting the ball on a throw in a team technical instead of an individual technical
6) go to the NBA rule for how many players can be in marked lane spaces on free throws
7) put the coaching boxes in the parking lot

I like #7 :D

But seriously, if I had to change any rule in the book, I'd like to see POI used after T's. I also think that team control foul would be an interesting addition to the high school game.

Tucking in the shirts.

Of the choices...
 

I would vote for 2 but i also like #7.

Thanks
David

Why? That lessens the penalty for unsporting conduct, doesn't it?

I like that one. If the FED is really concerned with unsporting conduct, instead of just paying lip service to it, that would put the onus where it really belongs--on the people responsible for their player's behavior. Never happen though.

# SEVEN.

I would also like to see a 1 minute power play system implemented whenever a player/coach commits a flagerant or unsporting foul. I bet that would make them think twice before getting stupid.

Not always, if A had the ball in the key while B commits an unsporting act, I think it'd be better to give A the ball on the endline, then having to take it at half-court.

But if the offending team has the ball, then it can lessen the penalty.

Remember, not every T is an unsporting T. This would also apply to the other branches of technical fouls.

1) Get rid of Alternating Possession and conduct a jump ball for all held balls and jump ball situations.

2) Go back to the original definition of when a field goal attempt ends. It would end: (a) when it is sucessful; (b) when it is obvious that it is unsucessful; or (c) when it is touched by another player.

3) Coaches cannot talk with players unless it is during: (a) a team timeout; (b) the intermission between the 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters, and between overtime periods; and (c) during halftime.

I could think of a few more, but I will stop here for now.

MTD, Sr.

Now a high school game lasts about 75-90 minutes. How much time will all these jump balls tack on?? If anyone was reffing before the AP arrow, how long did the average game take back then??

Not any longer than they do now.

MTD, Sr.

I'd go with calling a T for going OOB. Only problem is how would you penalize the defense?

I'd like to eliminate coaches being able to request time-outs. I hate turning my back to the play and sometimes I have to in order to acknowledge a coach time-out.

Here in WA, we only have a shot clock for girls games and there is no backcourt count and the only closely guarded count is when a player is holding the ball (not while dribbling) so your #3 is pretty much in existence for us.

Of all your others, I'd only vote for #1.

Z

I'd go with #2. I think it makes the administration of technicals much easier and it would eliminate the dramatics of the technical and make it more like a regular foul. I think it will lead to officials calling more warranted technicals and thus, improved sportsmanship.

I agree with Zebra, no coaches calling live-action timeouts. If they want to call a timeout when the ball is dead, no problem, but when the ball is in play, let the players call them.

#2...even though #7 is tempting!

I choose 8, "all of the above."

I'd like to see the "force-out rule" actually in the rulebook.

Also, reduce the closely guarded distance from 6' to 3' - I like how this has affected the women's game, but it might not work without a shot clock.

Add it to the list of delay of game penalties. First time is a warning, and second time is a team technical. Maybe make this technical 1 shot and POI. Make the offensive violation the same penalty.

Eliminate the 30 seconds given to replace a DQ'ed player. Or maybe just prevent huddling with the coach during that time.

Hmmmm....you LIKE having the the shirts untucked?

No, I just don't think it should be the officials' responsibility to enforce.

Here's the winner. Make the players do it so we don't have to divert our attention from the play.

Other than that, I would also vote for T's going to the POI.

Mark, what's the value of the try ending when touched by another player? So if it's partially blocked, you don't have to worry about GT?

I'm fine with eliminatig the 30 seconds all together but if they get 30, why should they be prohibited from communicating with the rest of the team. That is what the time is for. Coach picks a sub and gets to make adjustments if he desires since he didn't plan on having to take that player out at that moment.

I couldn't have answered it better myself, if I'd been asked!

Probably right but
 

Maybe its just in our group but we really don't have to police this hardly at all. We let the kids do it.

they choose to leave it out, they sit.

We have a lot of guys who simply started going "coach I need a sub for" and it seemed to have caught on. Now the players seem to know and its gotten much better.

But, I see your point, if everyone is NOT doing it it doesn't work.

Thanks
David

Chuck:

Long ago in a galaxy far away, when a field goal attempt was touched by our touched another player the attempt was over. Since I am supposed to be getting clothes washed and packed for the family trip (we are supposed to leave by car tomorrow morning) to Florida to visit my mother and sister I am not supposed to be fooling around online but I-75, from north of the OHIO-michigan border to well south of the Ohio River, is supposed to get about 12" of snow between now and mid-day tomorrow, so you can see why I really do not have my heart into getting ready for the trip. BUT, when if ever we get to Florida and back, I will elaborate more on this proposed rule change. I will probably write it out in long hand (what a concept) in the car on the way down.

Anyway, have a Happy Holidays!

MTD, Sr.

[Edited by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. on Dec 22nd, 2004 at 04:14 PM]

132 words to tell you why he could not answer, just think how long the answer must be! :D

BZ:

You have too much time on your hands. And yes I do have a well thought out thesis for my positioin.

MTD, Sr.

A couple new ones.
 

Okay, so my answer is more than one...

Scoot the rebounders back one block during free throw attempts - like women's college ball.

Require 3-man mechanics for schools with enrollment exceeding a particular number - the largest schools.

Recommend an evaluation/ranking system (methodology) that would actually work for most associations. And have it include that if a coach blackballs you from their games then they cannot evaluate/rank your performance.

And the only thing I see wrong with locating the coaches box in the parking lot is that you won't get to see their frustration once you have them seatbelted.:D

I remember doing girls games and lower level games of both boys and girls prior to the alternating possession. What a MESS! Jump balls every minute! NO WAY would I go back to jump balls.

My rule change: Fouls at the end of the game - have the team who is fouled have the choice of either a FT or a throw-in. This would force B to really earn the ball back by playing good defense. It would cut down on an interminable march to the FT line. I think international rules have or had this at one time.

...and the Run On Sentence of the Year Award for 2004 goes to.....Mark! Come on up here and get your prize! The coveted Pregnant Woman statuette goes to you!

No Mark, you can't say a few words in thanks...

ROFLMA, but she can't be pregnant, I had that operation 7 years ago.

MTD, Sr.

You mean the lobotomy? ;)


Another rule others have mentioned that I believe has merit is allowing a fouled team in the last two minutes to choose to shoot free throws or inbound the ball.

One thing to consider about going to POI after a T - currently the penalty penalizes a team that commits a T on offense more than a team that commits one on defense. I fail to see the logic in thinking a team has a greater responsiblity to behave properly when they have the ball then when they don't. I have long thought the reason for adding possession to the penalty is that the NF does not have confidence in HS refs to know the POI situation with making almost no errors. It's the same logic they used years ago when they eliminated almost all the jumps and installed the AP arrow. Hey NF - we're not dummies and we know how to toss a ball straight up in the air.

Not rules per se but mechanics:
1) Two man positioning of the officials during 60 second timeout. Right now from the blocks if we crane our necks, we can still barely see the timer signaling to us or the players checking in. Maybe NFHS organization can pick a spot for us beyond the end line?
2) Non-calling official player disqualification notification procedure. Tweet, foul, report, "Oh, that's 5 fouls on #12? Hang on, I will go get my partner so he can tell the coach who is twelve feet away from me and is already looking at me."

I have only been officiating for a couple years, but these two changes have not done any good. Perhaps NHFS should stop helping so hard.

I have to go with coaches calling time out when ball is live.

Though here in NH, players are forced to wear mouthpieces which I don't agree with. Let them do it by choice--live free or die!

missinglink,

we pregame the 5th foul reporting and if not a "tough" situation let the calling official notify coach also.

I had that one done 35 years ago. How do you thing I have managed to officiate for 34 years.

MTD, Sr.

Mark:

I am not a fan of the POI of interuption technical foul. I don't like in the NCAA rule book because there are some exceptions to the rules. I see no really good reason for POI technical foul. Just penalize the fouls in the order that they occur. Remember the most important rule of any endeavor: K.I.S.S.

MTD, Sr.

good on your group for common sense flex. Given my seniority I am inclined (and encouraged) to go by the book.

We here in Massachusetts were required to enforce the mouthguard usage starting last season. I hope one actually saves a kid from a major head injury or jaw surgery, because they sure are a pain in the neck. One advantage is that the kids are quieter, but they are also more slobbery (as is the ball) and chew on the things and drop them, etc. I would make them optional if I had a choice.

Also, we referees who officiate from IAABO Boards (most of the boards in the state) have abandoned the NFHS mechanic of going to the far lower blocks on time outs (60 seconds which is all we have). We have gone to the "old" way where one ref is at the throw-in spot, and the other is on the edge of the center circle, table side. The rationale is that no one (coaches) knew where the throw-in was going to be when we were standing on those far away blocks. This works much better.

This would get my vote!

Uh, you were. Sorry I stole yer thunder. :)

Having won the Slappy in this category last year, and thus recognizing the prestige and respect that comes along with it, I feel obliged to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Mark, his local officiating association and indeed all of IAABO (since Mark represents the organization so proudly and well); but also need to point out to Mark -- and any other officials who may aspire to this coveted award -- that with the aforementioned prestige and respect of this award comes a truly heavy burden to pass on the fine tradition of run-on sentences and to instill a sense of values in younger officials posting here that provides a basis for them to begin writing their own run-ons, which will undoubtedly be rather feeble (no FIBA comments please, Mr. Padgett) attempts at first; but which, with the Mark's guidance and reknowned attention to detail will blossom into run-on sentences of which we can all feel the same pride and admiration that we feel for Mark's achievements here today.

Chuck, I'm sorry, but I think this is one of those awards for which campaigning is particularly frowned upon.

Chuck:

Thank you for your kind words.

MTD, Sr.

Suggested change: 2-3 is the only rule. All the other entries are only "suggestions." ;)

Good one Bob. :D

Z

Chuck, the one thing that impressed me about MTD's sentence was not the sheer volume of words with no period.

What impressed me was he was able to squeeze 6 distinct and disjoint topics (by my count) into those few words all within 1 breathe.

Impressive. Like a crack addict trapped in a Starbuck's over a long weekend.

I'm late but I'll bite..
 

Earlier someone questioned the length of the game before alternating possessions came into vogue.

Well, I agree, let's go back to tossing on all held balls.

Now, I'd also like to see the fouls move from 7 for 1 and 1 to 10 for 1 and 1 and then 12 for the double bonus.

I have worked many AAU tourneys and they regularily use this setup and it works really well. The games go much quicker with the bonus moved to 10 team fouls per half.

As for the coaches, force them back to the bench and let them sit like the rest of the team. As much as I hate the coaches box and failure by most of us to inforce it consistently across the board, the only way to solve the coach that is in your ear, but yet in the coaches box, is to have him take a seat like the rest of the spectators.

Ohh, move to halves. Nix the quarters and this will also speed the game up a little.

goose