The answer is False. I still have the test. What's you're point?

If you understand WHY it is false, then you grasp my point.

Please do not tell me you are empahasizng the words "and referee."

It's not me, it's the NFHS as evidenced by the exam answer, but that is precisely right. For a varsity contest, not only do the opposing coaches have to agree to shorten the quarter, but so does the referee per the first sentence of 5-5-3. For nonvarsity games the permission of the referee is not required per the second sentence of 5-5-3.

OK .. I was just assuming that it was understood... never mind, I won't assume anything.

Yeah, I think that any referee who would not agree and allow the coaches the shortened quarter that they want would be nuts.

Did I say "nuts"? Hmmm...perhaps a squirrel will soon be making an appearance in this thread.:)

While this is true, it is irrelevant to the question in the original post. The original question was:

The quarter can be shortened. It requires the referee's consent, but it can be shortened. The official in the question is incorrect.

Not so clear on that, Scrapper. Perhaps the official didn't wish to shorten it and simply told the coaches no. The OP did not post any reason. He didn't write, "The referee tells the coaches that the rules forbid him from allowing that." On the other hand it also doesn't say, "The referee tells the coaches that THEY can't shorten the quarter."

It can certainly be taken in a different manner just as the exam question that I posted. Some may believe that the answer to that question should be true and could make a good case for that.

I'd say the word "can't" means exactly that in this context.

Maybe. Perhaps the OP will fill us in on what he was thinking when he wrote the scenario. There is a possibility that the OP didn't even realize that the referee must also consent. If he didn't, then he will learn something from this thread too. I don't know what he thought process was, but we might find out. ;)

This is what the OP was saying.

The referee was saying that the rules don't allow the quarter to be shortened.

The answer was meant to be the official was incorrect. Upon the referee's agreement, by rule, a quarter may be shortened at any time as long as the two coaches and referee agree.

FTR, I knew. ;)

TJ1,
See what I mean? Way too tight!:cool:

Yeah, well... only an hour and a half before I leave.