Team Pre-Game Perimeter Lap

[Freddy]

Anybody heard of any stated prohibition to a team coming out of the locker room doing a pre-game lap around the perimiter of the playing floor? It was asked of me whether this, which is pretty much done by every team around here, could constitute "taunting," since the second team out ends up going around the first team who is already doing their lay-ups.
I've seen it done here for years by just about every team on the high school level and I've never seen any sort of actual taunting occur during this pre-game lap. And I couldn't find any prohibition to it in the rule book or case book.
Any stated prohibition ever given to this practice?

[riverfalls57]

I've wondered about this also but I have never found anything that prohibits this practice.

[tjones1]

It is not allowed in Illinois.

[rsox34]

Virginia (the Viginia High School League VHSL) has prohibited this practice for several years. Teams have to take a direct route to their side of the court and cannot circle the whole court. The VHSL believed there was too much potential for taunting to occur. Officials who saw a team try to cirlcle the floor were to stop the team from completing the cirle and send them back the way they came from.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Any stated prohibition ever given to this practice?

The general concept was a POE a few years ago. FED left the specific implementation up to each state. So, you'll have to ask your state association what the rules are.

[Mark Padgett]

A lap before the game? Big deal. When I was in HS (before dirt was invented), the other team would be out warming up when, all of a sudden, the gym lights would dim way down. A spotlight would then shine on the home team locker room door. Some cheerleaders would be in front of the door holding a big paper hoop with an outline of the state of Illinois with a big star showing our town. There would be a drum roll from the band and then the team opened the door and burst through the hoop as the band then loudly played our school fight song. The lights would then come back on and the players would dribble in a line towards the open basket and they would all make reverse layups. The crowd went wild.

Now that's intimidation.

[ODJ]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

A lap before the game? Big deal. When I was in HS (before dirt was invented), the other team would be out warming up when, all of a sudden, the gym lights would dim way down. A spotlight would then shine on the home team locker room door. Some cheerleaders would be in front of the door holding a big paper hoop with an outline of the state of Illinois with a big star showing our town. There would be a drum roll from the band and then the team opened the door and burst through the hoop as the band then loudly played our school fight song. The lights would then come back on and the players would dribble in a line towards the open basket and they would all make reverse layups. The crowd went wild.

Now that's intimidation.

You should see Proviso West's intros. Better than the Bulls. (And recently could beat 'em!)

[Stat-Man]

I'm not sure what, if any, stand the MHSAA has. Local CYO has a rule that a team entering the court shall not encircle an opponent already on the floor warming up (Penalty: Technical foul for unsporting conduct).

[zebraman]

A technical foul in Washington State. And we are reminded to enforce it every year at the state tournaments.

[JBleach85]

In PA it is illegal to. I don't know if it is a state thing or not because I couldn't find it in my rule book or case book, but in PA running or circling the court and interfering with an opposing teams warm-ups represents a team technical foul. What are the other penalities for this type of warm up behavior in other states.

[BillyMac]

Ever so slightly off topic: Connecticut IAABO/CIAC: Team members are not allowed to congregate at midcourt during introductions. Officials will direct players to free throw line area in front of respective benches.

That's all I got.

[derwil]

While I was in Tennessee, the local association had it as a POE. Had a situation when both teams (big rivals) came out at the same time and tried to circle the court. Several remarks from the crowd a little trash talking etc. brought some non-basketball crap into the game. Since then it's directly onto their half of the court and not crossing the half court line during warm ups.

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by derwil

While I was in Tennessee, the local association had it as a POE. Had a situation when both teams (big rivals) came out at the same time and tried to circle the court. Several remarks from the crowd a little trash talking etc. brought some non-basketball crap into the game. Since then it's directly onto their half of the court and not crossing the half court line during warm ups.

As an old Tennessee boy, just curious who the teams were? Thanks...

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Anybody heard of any stated prohibition to a team coming out of the locker room doing a pre-game lap around the perimiter of the playing floor? It was asked of me whether this, which is pretty much done by every team around here, could constitute "taunting," since the second team out ends up going around the first team who is already doing their lay-ups.
I've seen it done here for years by just about every team on the high school level and I've never seen any sort of actual taunting occur during this pre-game lap. And I couldn't find any prohibition to it in the rule book or case book.
Any stated prohibition ever given to this practice?

Originally Posted by riverfalls57

I've wondered about this also but I have never found anything that prohibits this practice.

You guys must be newer officials.

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

The general concept was a POE a few years ago. FED left the specific implementation up to each state. So, you'll have to ask your state association what the rules are.

Bob is 100% correct. So check with your state association.

NFHS POE #3

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

NFHS POE #3

Nevadaref: Thanks for sharing. You saved me from digging through my old rulebooks to find this POE. I will also thank you on behalf of our much older colleague, Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. You saved him a trip up into his cold attic.