who gets a T...

[Nevadaref]

Originally posted by JRutledge

This is not at all in direct conflict with what the NF says. I have also told you before that what the NF says is not the ultimate law either. The NF is not the only governing body that can share an opinion or tell the officials what to do. There is nothing that says we have to go "listening for comments" in the huddles of teams. If there is such a directive, where is that information? The NF only says is we can penalize players and coaches for things they say. Once again, this is not my priority. I am not going to call fouls when I do not see actions from players. I am not going to call Ts on players and coaches for language I do not hear. You have shown nothing that says the NF wants us to do this.

Earlier in the thread I posted what was written on pages 70 and 71 of the 2004-05 NFHS Basketball Rules Book. This is the "directive" about which I am speaking:

From the 2004-05 POINTS OF EMPHASIS:

"4. Specific unsporting acts. The committee is concerned about the following specific unsporting acts. Coaches, players and officials must pay particular attention to these areas:
A. Face guarding. ...
B. 'Flopping.' ...
C. Inappropriate language. The committee is concerned about the use of inappropriate language by players, bench personnel, coaches, officials and spectators. Each group has a responsibility to the game and to each other to demonstrate civility and citizenship.

The team huddle is not a safe haven for coaches' bad language. Players are not permitted to "let off steam" by using profanity, even if it is not directed at an opponent or official. Being angry at oneself is no excuse. Officials are not exempt either. Inappropriate references to players or coaches are not acceptable. Game administrators must also pay particular attention to fans. A game ticket is not a license to abuse."




I have certainly never advocated penalizing players or coaches for language that is not heard, that would be absurd. However, I do think that if the unsporting language is heard and can for certain be attributed to a particular team, coach, or player, then it should be penalized since the NFHS is asking us to "pay particular attention" to this.

While I happen to fall in line with the advice written by BktBallRef and Jurassic on this topic, that doesn't mean that I don't respect your views as well.

I have no doubt that you are a successful official, and have become so by doing things the way you do, you don't need to list anything to convince me of this.

I'll just accept that this language issue is handled differently in your area and leave it at that.
Where I am there is a big emphasis on cleaning up the HS game.