They just added it onto the end of the existing "rules changes" page on the NFHS web site.

One of the changes actually goes back to the way IAABO is still (already?) doing it. I really like that particular change, too.

This is why I said "I" am not going to use it. What others do is fine with me. I just think for the HS level it could cause more problems than we really need. Then again this mechanic might not be advocated by our state and it does say "may" after all.

Peace

hmmm...
 

don't like the first change at all

and where are you going to stand if when the timeout is called and the ball is in front of the bench? i guess you become part of that team's huddle right? that will be fun if the coach is upset with you. and then what happens if the other team's coach has a question and you set the ball down and the other team breaks their huddle the kicks the ball acrossed the court? not to mention the cheerleaders mentioned in a previous post.

Back up onto the court a few steps - no need to overthink the situation.

i know...but, then you aren't doing what the NFHS is asking you to do...LOL

overthinking the situation, who? me? hah...just having some fun...it's the off season!

Can someone give some rationale for not liking, or caring about, the first mechanic change?
This has been a mechanic in college ball for a while and who cares! If the R wants to toss he/she will toss, if they don't they won't. If we (all) take pride in our toss, all officials will be prepared.

tomegun, i asked that of the veteran guys that have asked me to work with them this past year...every time they ask me to work with them last season, i tossed...finally i asked and the only thing i could come up with is they don't like giving the pre-game speak and risking looking bad with a poor toss...personally, i don't mind doing the pre-game speech or tossing...i've been luckily in my short career of officiating of NOT having one blown dead for a retoss...i have blown 2 dead in the same game for a NOT SO VERTICAL toss...i was laughing so hard because the 1st one was tossed to the visitor's side of the court and then my partner over corrected and tossed it to the home's side of the court before getting it straight...that being said, I would say they just don't want to look bad for a poor toss or give a bad pre-game speech...just my 2 cents...!

I agree with Rut: I'm not doing this, and I'm going to tell my chapter people that from a liability standpoint, we'd be better off not doing it as a whole. I like the other changes, though.

Just wondering - what part of the mechanic do you see as a liability issue?

You put the ball down, not realizing the cheerleaders are behind you, and they, not realizing the ball is down and walking backwards, stumble over the ball. In my opinion, there are very few things that we can do on the basketball court that could constitute negligence. This, unfortunately, is one of them.

The basketball on the ground really isn't in its natural position. In football, it is. Further, you don't have cheerleaders legally on the field in football. I'm not saying this is a dead ringer of a lawsuit against you; I'm just saying its one area that I'm not going to take the chance on and I'm going to strongly recommend my chapter not do it as well.

I cannot speak for TA, but I will speak for what I believe it is. If you set the ball down and some unsuspecting cheerleader starts flipping, they might trip over the ball and get hurt. Now I have been a person that has been nearly ran into by a cheerleader during timeouts when they were not supposed to be on the court. And when timeouts occur sometimes I have had to stop cheerleaders from coming onto the court just during 30 second when players were on the court. So I can only imagine how dumb these girls (and the usual guy) will be when you put a ball on the court. They are so eager to jump and do flips they do not look where they are going. I can only wait to see how many cheerleaders will damn near kill themselves when they do not notice the ball sitting on the court. Now I am not talking about college cheerleaders that in many cases only come onto the court during choreographed segments, I am talking about HS cheerleaders that their coach is a parent that tries to wear cloths someone 15 years their junior tries to wear. If these cheerleaders are not smart enough to get out of the way when someone 250 pounds is running in their direction and not looking at them, what makes you think they will pay attention with a ball on the floor?

Did I mention I cannot stand cheerleaders? :D

Peace

Honestly, I do not think this is something any organization will make you do. I doubt anyone even makes an issue out of it. I just think the fact that the NF would even entertain this is silly for the reasons you and I have stated. I do not care what any organization says, I am not doing this. I can stand in the same area with the ball in my arms.

Peace

And how would this be a bad thing? :p

I see your point otherwise. I don't necessarily agree that you would be found liable after a trial, but you certainly could be named in a suit.

Really? Some of my favorite girlfriends in high school were cheerleaders! :)