cursing on court

[dave30]

If you hear cursing on the court, is it an automatic T ?

[jer166]

It is for me if I know who is doing the cursing. If I hear it and don't know who said it I will warn both captains.

[JRutledge]

I try to get away from the usage of "automatic." That tends to put you into a box that is hard to get out of. My answer is no, I do not have automatic criteria for any T.

Peace

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I try to get away from the usage of "automatic." That tends to put you into a box that is hard to get out of.

Peace

Amen! Well said, Rut.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by dave30

If you hear cursing on the court, is it an automatic T ?

Yep, it an automatic "t" unless I can not determine who said the curse word.

[Ref_in_Alberta]

Approx. 3 seasons ago our Men's wreck league put in place a "Zero tolerence" policy on cursing. I'm so gald that they did cause I've had that policy in place for the 16 seasons I've been officiating the game. To me cursing so that another player, coach or fan hears what is said is unsportmanlike and deserving of a T.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Ref_in_Alberta

Approx. 3 seasons ago our Men's wreck league put in place a "Zero tolerence" policy on cursing. I'm so gald that they did cause I've had that policy in place for the 16 seasons I've been officiating the game. To me cursing so that another player, coach or fan hears what is said is unsportmanlike and deserving of a T.

A couple of things:

1) I hope they defined "cursing" because what I consider acceptable, you might not (and vice-versa). (If a player misses a lay-up and exclaims "damn" to himself, but another player happens to be standing nearby, is that a T?)

2) What's acceptable to me varies by level, volume, specific word and to whom it's directed. The higher we go, the more that's allowed. The louder it is, the more likely it's a T. The "F" word is more likely to get a T than the "D" word. And anything directed at the other team or an official likely earns a T.

3) Just because I might not issue a T in some set of circumstances, doesn't mean it's not addressed. THere's a whole reange of actions, from ignoring it, through talking to the player, to issuing a T, to ejecting. I've used all of the above.

[rgncjn]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

A couple of things:

1) I hope they defined "cursing" because what I consider acceptable, you might not (and vice-versa). (If a player misses a lay-up and exclaims "damn" to himself, but another player happens to be standing nearby, is that a T?)

2) What's acceptable to me varies by level, volume, specific word and to whom it's directed. The higher we go, the more that's allowed. The louder it is, the more likely it's a T. The "F" word is more likely to get a T than the "D" word. And anything directed at the other team or an official likely earns a T.

3) Just because I might not issue a T in some set of circumstances, doesn't mean it's not addressed. THere's a whole reange of actions, from ignoring it, through talking to the player, to issuing a T, to ejecting. I've used all of the above.

Bob's opinion reflected my own.

This might not be the best way to handle the situation, but if I do hear profanity and I am certain who stated the profanity, during the next dead ball I go over and ask him not to speak in that way while on the court. This of course, is what I would do in reference to Bob's #1.

If the profanity is directed to the opposing team, that is taunting, which is unsportsmanlike, and will result in a T.

[Mark Padgett]

In our local kids rec league in grades 3-8, any profanity by a player or coach heard by the official is an automatic flagrant technical with ejection and one game suspension (all ejections in our league carry this suspension). If the offender is a coach, they must appeal to the Board to be reinstated after the suspension. We have had cases in which the profanity was at a very high level (i.e.: directed personally at an official) in which the coach was suspended for the season and had to appeal to come back the following year. As you can tell, there is an absolute zero tolerance policy at these grade levels.

At the HS level, it's an automatic T but not necessarily flagrant. All coaches at all levels must agree to and sign a sportsmanship/code of conduct pledge every year.

Any profanity by a spectator at any level results in an immediate ejection and suspension for the season.

We just don't like swearing, I guess.

[Daryl H. Long]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

A couple of things:

1) I hope they defined "cursing" because what I consider acceptable, you might not (and vice-versa). (If a player misses a lay-up and exclaims "damn" to himself, but another player happens to be standing nearby, is that a T?)

2) What's acceptable to me varies by level, volume, specific word and to whom it's directed. The higher we go, the more that's allowed. The louder it is, the more likely it's a T. The "F" word is more likely to get a T than the "D" word. And anything directed at the other team or an official likely earns a T.

3) Just because I might not issue a T in some set of circumstances, doesn't mean it's not addressed. THere's a whole reange of actions, from ignoring it, through talking to the player, to issuing a T, to ejecting. I've used all of the above.

The above speaks volumes. Many of the coaches of teams I officiate know I am also a preacher. My definition of cursing includes "euphemisms" and they are just as offensive to me as the real words.

So you can see I am in a situation where if I T a player I run the risk of being accused of having rabbit ears, or just being too quick to T and not allow the player to let off some steam after making a mistake.

Over the years I have found the system that works best for me and the coaches. Like Rut said nothing is automatic. But using preventative officiating to let players know I heard their language coupled with communication with the coaches then the player can get the message from both me and his coach that such verbiage is unnacceptable and will result in the proper penalty if uttered again.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Daryl H. Long

... the player can get the message from both me and his coach that such verbiage is unnacceptable and will result in the proper penalty if uttered again.

Daryl, I'm going to poke a little fun at your response to make a point. No personal affront to you or what I'm sure is your quality job of officiating.

So your stance is that unacceptable language will not be properly penalized the first time, but if uttered again a technical foul is automatic?


This leads me to ask a larger question. Why do people seem to believe that it is proper to fail to issue the proper penalties the first time that infractions of the rules are committed?

[IREFU2]

The rule reference in the title sums it all up. If they curse (profane or inappropiate language), its a technical foul. Regardless if they are cursing because they are mad at something they did or anyone else did....

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Daryl H. Long

My definition of cursing includes "euphemisms" and they are just as offensive to me as the real words.

So, "doggone it" deserves a penalty? What if the player is just mad at himself for making a bad play and mutters something like "darn"?

Again - not making fun, just curious as to the ramifications of having one official use a totally different set of criteria than the vast majority of officials.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by dave30

If you hear cursing on the court, is it an automatic T ?

No.