Crazy rule set
 

My last games of the season last night were two high school rec games.

The organization that puts the league on is the same one in which I've been doing middle school rec games. I don't understand why the rules are so different.

The middle school leagues use standard NFHS rules, with a couple of modifications (ie press rules).

The high school league, however, uses some wildly different modifications.

Two halves of 25 minutes, running clock. The clock never stops, not even in the last minute (foreshadowing).

No free throws shot. Ever. Should a player get fouled in the act of shooting and miss the shot, his team shall be awarded one point and they will retain possession. Should they make the shot, his team will be awarded three points, and the other team will get possession.

The official doesn't handle the ball prior to an inbounds pass. This becomes especially problematic when reporting a foul, as the players just get it and go.

The biggest problem I ran into last night was in the last minute of a close game. I called a held ball with about fifteen seconds left. There was no possession arrow so we had to go ask the table, which was located about 20 feet off one of the endlines. The clock is still running because of the rules. We had them stop the clock with four seconds left As I'm coming back with blue possession, I see a blue player push a purple player. So I T him up, which gives purple two automatic points and possession. They missed the three to tie it.

Not the way I would make up the rules, but that's just me.

Fun times.........Good luck with that!

Are there no timeouts? Does the clock run during halftime? After the game is over, does it keep running? :confused:

Stick a spare whistle (or something of similar size and weight) in the front pants pocket, so that when you're facing the benches, the whistle is on the same side as the bench of the team with the arrow.

I picked that tip up from a veteran in my association, and it works beautifully.

Try using a Hickory Farms beefstick. It looks really cool when you move it from one side to the other. Plus - you get a lot of looks from the hot moms. :p

It also makes you look like a rookie. I'd advise to just remember the arrow, and get out of the habit of switching the whistle from one pocket to the other.

I recognize that's harder to do when one is working multiple youth games on a single day.

Well, often officials working those types of games with those crazy rules are newer officials, so they wouldn't look out of place.

Ya, I forgot that part...No timeouts are allowed. They're also allowed to sub on the fly, as in like hockey.

I have heard that before, but I wasn't anticipating the lack of an arrow. I did have a spare whistle with me, but didn't even think about it to tell you the truth.

I prefer a rubber band or hair tie around the wrist pointing to the team's bench. It's inconspicuous, less unprofessional looking when you switch it, and it allows you to check to see if your partner agrees with you without having to ask.

This is one of those weird things that's supported in some areas at even the varsity level; while other areas view it as bush-league even in rec ball. Personally, I wouldn't even consider doing it in school ball but would have no problem with someone doing it when they're working three rec games with unreliable table crew.

I would use it as an opportunity to work on my ability to remember the arrow.

Disagree. That's just another rookie move. How can it be more professional when you're wearing something that you can't allow a player to wear, by rule?

The only problem with that is players are not allowed to wear bands on the wrists, so officials should also not wear them.

As Bob mentioned, it is a good habit to get into simply remembering the direction of the arrow, rather than using some device.

Players can't wear wedding rings, either; but we (as in the officials in my area) do. I think it looks unprofessional but this reasoning doesn't mean much to me.

I typically have a tube of Carmex in my pocket during games. Just so happens it makes for a great way to keep track of possession.