Quick Q...5 Players?

[Luv4Asian8]

Hey All,

Been a while. Happy Holidays!

Quick question. State sancitoned girls varsity game. Team A has only 5 players. Team A coach chooses to pull A1 off the court for their own displinary action (not DQ or ejection). So, Team A coach wanted to play only 4 of her players.

Understanding that a team can play with only 1 if they have the ability to win, the question for this situation: Is there a requirement in the NFHS rules to play all 5 eligible players? If so, please help with citation/caseplay.

Thanks in advance,
VS

[just another ref]

3.1.1 addresses this situation.

Team must have five players participating as long as it has that number available.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Luv4Asian8

Hey All,

Been a while. Happy Holidays!

Quick question. State sancitoned girls varsity game. Team A has only 5 players. Team A coach chooses to pull A1 off the court for their own displinary action (not DQ or ejection). So, Team A coach wanted to play only 4 of her players.

Understanding that a team can play with only 1 if they have the ability to win, the question for this situation: Is there a requirement in the NFHS rules to play all 5 eligible players? If so, please help with citation/caseplay.

Thanks in advance,
VS

In an JV Boys game, I have, in fact, allowed a team to play with 4 players and to allow the disciplined player to sit on the bench. I discussed the situation with the opposing coach and with partner, got approval by all and played on.
In my game, the player was being disciplined for escalating aggressiveness while on the floor.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by mick

In an JV Boys game, I have, in fact, allowed a team to play with 4 players and to allow the disciplined player to sit on the bench. I discussed the situation with the opposing coach and with partner, got approval by all and played on.
In my game, the player was being disciplined for escalating aggressiveness while on the floor.

I've done this as well; it was around 6-7 years ago, at a BV game.. Same situation: team only had 5 players; this one player was way OOC. There was about 17 seconds left in the half. My P and I got together and permitted the coach to play with 4 for the remaining of the half. IIRC, we did not consult the other coach, but rather I had my P (she was the R) tell him what we were going to do.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by just another ref

3.1.1 addresses this situation.

Team must have five players participating as long as it has that number available.

Agreed. but "available" isn't defined.

[derwil]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Team must have five players participating as long as it has that number available.

And if coach says the one player isn't available?? Possible for coach to suspend the player for a quarter?

[eyezen]

This isn't Hoosiers.

[Adam]

I'm leaning towards the theory of "If the coach says he isn't available, he isn't available."

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I'm leaning towards the theory of "If the coach says he isn't available, he isn't available."

Good theory. Nowadays, anybody can sue anybody for just about any reason, and even if you're in the right, you still have to hire a lawyer.

Coach: "He's unavailable".
Official: "You need five out here".
Several seconds later:
Player: "Ouch, I broke my ankle"
Several days later:
County Sheriff: "You've been served".

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Good theory. Nowadays, anybody can sue anybody for just about any reason, and even if you're in the right, you still have to hire a lawyer.

Coach: "He's unavailable".
Official: "You need five out here".
Several seconds later:
Player: "Ouch, I broke my ankle"
Several days later:
County Sheriff: "You've been served".

Although you can be sued for anything, a lawsuit against an official who enforced the rules within reason ain't going anywhere.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Although you can be sued for anything, a lawsuit against an official who enforced the rules within reason ain't going anywhere.

I agree. If the coach doesn't say the player is hurt, you're not responsible.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Although you can be sued for anything, a lawsuit against an official who enforced the rules within reason ain't going anywhere.

Correct. But you still have to hire a lawyer. Hopefully the insurance that your local, or state, board carries, includes liability, and attorney fee coverage. In fact, once a parent finds out you have liability coverage, that may increase the chance that you'll get sued, possibly offering a bigger payday.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I agree. If the coach doesn't say the player is hurt, you're not responsible.

Common sense would tell me the same thing. But will the same conclusion be drawn by a parent out for a big payday, a parent's attorney who's out for a big fee, or a school's attorney trying to avoid liability.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Correct. But you still have to hire a lawyer. Hopefully the insurance that your local, or state, board carries, includes liability, and attorney fee coverage. In fact, once a parent finds out you have liability coverage, that may increase the chance that you'll get sued, possibly offering a bigger payday.

Just tell the parent that if their kid ever wants to get a call again, they'd better just drop it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I'm leaning towards the theory of "If the coach says he isn't available, he isn't available."

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I agree. If the coach doesn't say the player is hurt, you're not responsible.

Then why your theory?