Lack of Action Mechanic

[Mountaineer]

We had our state meeting tonight regarding rules changes and the normal blah, blah, blah. Our state interpreter has always hated the lack of action (edit - I made a mistake when originally posted - I meant closely guarded) mechanic with the arms extended. Every year he has always demonstrated this mechanic and informed us that this is NOT an accepted HS mechanic. He's on the national rules committe and very knowledgeable about the rules - but has a personal vendeta against this mechinic.

He told us in no-uncertain-terms tonight that in WV we will NOT be using this mechanic. He also called out several other states that would not be using this mechanic.

How many of you are not using it in your state?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

We had our state meeting tonight regarding rules changes and the normal blah, blah, blah. Our state interpreter has always hated the lack of action mechanic with the arms extended. Every year he has always demonstrated this mechanic and informed us that this is NOT an accepted HS mechanic. He's on the national rules committe and very knowledgeable about the rules - but has a personal vendeta against this mechinic.

He told us in no-uncertain-terms tonight that in WV we will NOT be using this mechanic. He also called out several other states that would not be using this mechanic.

How many of you are not using it in your state?

What is the lack of action mechanic?

Peace

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What is the lack of action mechanic?

Peace

Here it is....

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Here it is....

Say what?

There is no "lack of action" mechanic. There used to be, many years ago, but it is long-gone from the rule book.

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Say what?

There is no "lack of action" mechanic. There used to be, many years ago, but it is long-gone from the rule book.

Its not Lack of action.. its "Not Closely Guarded". Its new I think for this season.

I just scanned that in from the 2007-2008 rule book this morning.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Its not Lack of action.. its "Not Closely Guarded". Its new I think for this season.

I just scanned that in from the 2007-2008 rule book this morning.

Um, yeah, and I'm still confused. Why did you post "not closely guarded" as being the "lack of action" mechanic when they've got absolutely nothing to do with each other? Just because someone is not being closely guarded doesn't mean that there's a lack of action.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

We had our state meeting tonight regarding rules changes and the normal blah, blah, blah. Our state interpreter has always hated the lack of action mechanic with the arms extended. Every year he has always demonstrated this mechanic and informed us that this is NOT an accepted HS mechanic. He's on the national rules committe and very knowledgeable about the rules - but has a personal vendeta against this mechinic.

He told us in no-uncertain-terms tonight that in WV we will NOT be using this mechanic. He also called out several other states that would not be using this mechanic.

How many of you are not using it in your state?

Sounds like your interpreter is an idiot.

[rsox34]

Are you talking about the "not closely guarded mechanic?" This mechanic that the NFHS has finally adopted as official is not the same as the old lack of action signal that I think your interpreter dislikes. I personally never liked the not closely guarded signal--if I'm not counting--the defender is not within 6ft of the guy he is trying to defend. But others have used the "not closely guarded signal" for years and I guess the Fed finally gave in.

Originally Posted by rsox34

Are you talking about the "not closely guarded mechanic?" This mechanic that the NFHS has finally adopted as official is not the same as the old lack of action signal that I think your interpreter dislikes. I personally never liked the not closely guarded signal--if I'm not counting--the defender is not within 6ft of the guy he is trying to defend. But others have used the "not closely guarded signal" for years and I guess the Fed finally gave in.

I agree. Since when do we signal when something DID NOT happen!? In KS we only are "asked" to use it when WE want to clarify to the coaches or fans that the defender is slightly beyond 6 feet.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by KSRef07

I agree. Since when do we signal when something DID NOT happen!? In KS we only are "asked" to use it when WE want to clarify to the coaches or fans that the defender is slightly beyond 6 feet.

Clarification is the entire reason the mechanic is to be used. You do not use it all the time.

Peace

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Clarification is the entire reason the mechanic is to be used. You do not use it all the time.

Peace

Agree.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Clarification is the entire reason the mechanic is to be used. You do not use it all the time.

Yep, that's what the comment on page 71 of the rules book says.

[JRutledge]

You do not need a rulebook to clarify this. This was a college mechanic and that is all it was used for, clarification.

Peace

[kbilla]

Originally Posted by KSRef07

I agree. Since when do we signal when something DID NOT happen!? In KS we only are "asked" to use it when WE want to clarify to the coaches or fans that the defender is slightly beyond 6 feet.

Just as a follow-on to this, what is the rule for determining the 6 foot distance for both NCAA & NFHS? At a HS camp this summer we were told that if a defender extended an arm toward the offensive player that was within the 6 foot distance, you start the count. However, I'm pretty sure that I have read in some of the NCAA material that the distance is judged by where the defenders feet, NOT where the hands are....is this truly a difference or was I given a bad interp this summer? I have always used the feet as the indicator and not started the count when a defender reaches out as far as they can while staying as far away as possible just to get a count started....

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by kbilla

Just as a follow-on to this, what is the rule for determining the 6 foot distance for both NCAA & NFHS? At a HS camp this summer we were told that if a defender extended an arm toward the offensive player that was within the 6 foot distance, you start the count. However, I'm pretty sure that I have read in some of the NCAA material that the distance is judged by where the defenders feet, NOT where the hands are....is this truly a difference or was I given a bad interp this summer? I have always used the feet as the indicator and not started the count when a defender reaches out as far as they can while staying as far away as possible just to get a count started....

FED rulebook specifically says "forward foot... to forward foot"