Contents may settle during shipment.
 

My biggest problem isn't understanding the rules, interpretations, and mechanics, but in remembering the many changes that have occurred over the past twenty-eight years. If the rules were the same today, as they were back in the early 1980's (change in status, lack of action, many jump balls, twenty-eight foot line relevant, "Cadillac" position, disallowed free throw inbounded at free throw line extended, always hand ball to inbounder, etc.), I would be as well versed as anyone in the rules, but it's difficult for me to keep up. I spend a lot of time reading my rulebook, casebook, and mechanics manual, maybe a little more time than most people, but, especially during the season, it's difficult to find time, with my day job as a chemist, to sit down, read, and study. I really wish that the NFHS would publish an additional reference, listing annual interpretations, and midseason interpretations, like the one cited by Nevadaref, that are still relevant, but, probably due to space limitations, do not make their way into the published casebook.

Also, maybe you view this Forum in a different way than I do, but I view this Forum as a resource. Am I being lazy by utilizing modern technology? When I know that there are Forum members who are willing to share their rules expertise with fellow members, why not simply ask for a citation. When a fellow Forum member asks a question, and I know that there is a citation that will clear up the question, I'm willing to post a citation, not a quickly as some members, like Nevadaref, but I'm still willing to help out my fellow officials when I am able.

Also, I don't understand the reference to grammatical errors. That's the only part of your post that I find harsh. My posts aren't at the level of mbyron, but I do try, to the best of my ability, to proofread my posts before I hit the Submit Reply button. My posts are far from perfect in the grammar, and spelling, department, but at least I try my best at making them "post-able". I've seen a lot worse.

Finally, like many other Forum members, I agree with the saying, "always listen to bob". There are a few other Forum members, who, like bob jenkins, get immediate credibility just by having their name attached to a post, but I, like Thomas, sometimes need to see it from the original source, the NFHS.

"Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."" (John 20:24)

I agree.

Yes, it's a resource. But, there have been three (or more?) posts from you asking for citations on relatively simple subjects when the citation was right in the current rules / case books.

Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime. (Padgett update: ... and he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day). Learn to be a fisherman.

I can't tell you how many times I was looking for an answer to one question when I found out something else that I didn't know.


I was making fun of my own grammatical errors in my post.

30 second timeout
 

Several members of our association on our website message board are having a discussion about 30 second timeouts.

The rules states that teams shall remain standing, yet there is no specific penalty if a team decides to sit on the bench and not stand.

I have never had an issue with this. Usually just a friendly reminder to a team that it is a 30 second timeout works, but what if they refuse to stand?

Just looking for any thought on this.

Let's Pick Up Where We Left Off Earlier ...
 

Put the ball in play as soon as the horn ending the timeout sounds. :D

Nah, I prefer to consult the Past Interps Archive! :D

2001-2002 NFHS Basketball Interpretations

SITUATION 11: Each team and the official scorer have been notified that Team A has called a 30-second timeout. Team A decides to sit down on its bench. RULING: Incorrect procedure. The official should first inform the coach that his/her team is to remain standing during a 30-second timeout. If the coach refuses to adhere to the officials’ request, an unsporting technical shall be assessed. (5-12-5)

There's a general strategy here: although the rules lack a penalty specifically for a given behavior, there is a penalty for failing to follow an official's instructions. Remind them of what they're supposed to do, and then penalize accordingly if the behavior doesn't change.

"Failing To Follow An Official's Instructions" ???
 

This sounds familiar to me, but I can't find it in my rulebook. Citation please.

bob jenkins: I did look in my rulebook. Twice. I perused the rules, and also used the search function on my PDF version of the rules. I spent about fifteen minutes on it, and still couldn't find a citation.

Nothing Like Slapstick, Always Good For A Laugh ...
 

I know what the crew of Moe Howard, Curly Howard, and Larry Fine, would do; pull the chairs out from under the players as they're about to sit down. Ask Mark Padgett. He's an alternate on their crew and is very familiar with their style.

8 months later and you respond? Even I can't remember to what I was referring -- but I don't think it had anything to do with this specific issue, but rather "simple" questions you posted at about the same time (back in Feb).

Taken To Heart ...
 

I actually responded to your original post in two days. My most recent post was just to let you know that I was paying attention. Check out post numbers fourteen and sixteen of this thread.

Charged to penalize unsporting conduct: 2-8-1

Unsporting foul defined: 4-19-14.

Examples given in 10-3-6 and 10-4-1.

Failure to follow the instructions of an official is covered by the definition, but not mentioned in the examples. The mistake would be to think that the examples define the foul; in fact 10-3-6 and 10-4-1 specifically state that the foul is NOT limited to those examples.

"Not Limited To" ???
 

2-8-1: The officials shall: Penalize unsporting conduct by any player, coach, substitute, team attendant or follower.
4-19-14: An unsporting foul is a noncontact technical foul which consists of unfair, unethical, dishonorable conduct or any behavior not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.
10-3-6: A player shall not: Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as:
a. Disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a manner as to indicate resentment.
b. Using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures.
c. Baiting or taunting an opponent.
d. Purposely obstructing an opponent’s vision by waving or placing hand(s) near his/her eyes.
e. Climbing on or lifting a teammate to secure greater height.
f. Faking being fouled, knowingly attempting a free throw or accepting a foul to which the player was not entitled.
g. Use tobacco or smokeless tobacco.
h. Removing the jersey and/or pants/skirt within the visual confines of the playing area.
10-4-1: The head coach is responsible for his/her own conduct and behavior, as well as substitutes, disqualified team members and all other bench personnel. Bench personnel, including the head coach, shall not: Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as:
a. Disrespectfully addressing an official.
b. Attempting to influence an official’s decision.
c. Using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures.
d. Disrespectfully addressing, baiting or taunting an opponent.
e. Objecting to an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures.
f. Inciting undesirable crowd reactions.
g. Being charged with fighting.
h. Removing the jersey and/or pants/skirt within the visual confines of the playing area.

So "failing to follow an official's instructions" is penalized because the rulebook contains the statements, "not limited to"? I can see your point, but I'm not convinced. If I'm going to penalize with a technical foul in this situation, I'm citing "2001-2002 NFHS Basketball Interpretations Situation 11", not "not limited to". Just my opinion. Thanks for the citations.

No, I'd also say that was also "unfair, unethical, dishonorable conduct or any behavior not in accordance with the spirit of fair play."

If you have a case play, all the better. But as you know, case plays illustrate and interpret the rules. Presumably the play to which you refer also cites these rules, which provide the basis for the case.

Unfair, Unethical, Dishonorable ...
 

4-19-14: An unsporting foul is a noncontact technical foul which consists of unfair, unethical, dishonorable conduct or any behavior not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.

This is now more convincing to me. Thanks.

I still swear that "failing to follow an official's instructions" was stated as a reason to penalize with a technical foul several, and I'm talking about several meaning more than twenty-five, years ago. Maybe it was never in writing, but was mentioned at a meeting by our interpreter.