"Spirit of the Rules"

[justacoach]

Originally Posted by asdf

To answer your questions...

1) It's not an official NFHS publication, but this philosophy is noted in virtually every NFHS Officials Manual published.

2) Not only are these publications available to highly experienced officials, they are also available to woefully inexperienced coaches.

3) You can obtain a copy directly from the NFHS or your state association. Personally, I would suggest you consult your Athletic Director, so as to alert him to your ignorance of such a philosophy.

Would you blindly endorse the following invocation of "The Spirit of the Rules"?...The discussion hinged on 9-8-1 (10 second count in backcourt) which has been treated here many times

"You clearly missed my reasoning. I know what the rule states, but the spirit of the rule is how I will govern it. Should the count start once the ball has backcourt status? Strict interpretation says 'YES'. The spirit of the rule tells you to allow a touch before the count starts. Am I wrong -- probably, but I have never started any count until the ball is touched.

There are many rules that we administer based on the spirit and not it's literal meaning. How many hand-checks do you see called? How many 3 sec violations do you see called? How many technical fouls do you see for flopping in a block/charge scenario? If we are giving leniency to the defense on some rules, why not give the offense the same?

If you wish to officiate strictly by the book, that is your choice, but it MAY lead to poor crew dynamics if all of you aren't on the same sheet of music."

[Adam]

For the record, you're more likely to lead to poor crew dynamics by saying, "I know what the rule says but I know better."

[justacoach]

"if all of you aren't on the same sheet of music"

I've often wondered what his pregame sounds like as the crew decides when "spirit" is gonna supercede "by the book"!!!
I'm nominating this guy as the poster child for this year's #1 POE

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by justacoach

"if all of you aren't on the same sheet of music"

I've often wondered what his pregame sounds like as the crew decides when "spirit" is gonna supercede "by the book"!!!
I'm nominating this guy as the poster child for this year's #1 POE

Here is a copy of Lee, Lifeson's and Peart's pregame:

Begin the day with a friendly voice,
A companion unobtrusive
Plays the song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood.

Off on your way, hit the open road,
There is magic at your fingers
For the Spirit ever lingers,
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.

Chorus
Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted.
Not so coldly charted
It's really just a question of your honesty, yeah,
Your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of music,
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.

Chorus

For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall,
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds of salesmen, of salesmen, of salesmen!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by snaqwells

for the record, you're more likely to lead to poor crew dynamics by saying, "i know what the rule says but i know better."

+1

[asdf]

Originally Posted by justacoach

Would you blindly endorse the following invocation of "The Spirit of the Rules"?...The discussion hinged on 9-8-1 (10 second count in backcourt) which has been treated here many times

"You clearly missed my reasoning. I know what the rule states, but the spirit of the rule is how I will govern it. Should the count start once the ball has backcourt status? Strict interpretation says 'YES'. The spirit of the rule tells you to allow a touch before the count starts. Am I wrong -- probably, but I have never started any count until the ball is touched.

There are many rules that we administer based on the spirit and not it's literal meaning. How many hand-checks do you see called? How many 3 sec violations do you see called? How many technical fouls do you see for flopping in a block/charge scenario? If we are giving leniency to the defense on some rules, why not give the offense the same?

If you wish to officiate strictly by the book, that is your choice, but it MAY lead to poor crew dynamics if all of you aren't on the same sheet of music."

As stated prior, my original response was as facetious as your original post. ( should have put it in blue )

However, to answer your question....

While I do not blindly endorse this philosophy, there are times when spirit and intent supercedes the written rule in a given situation.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by asdf

While I do not blindly endorse this philosophy, there are times when spirit and intent supercedes the written rule in a given situation.

Example(s) please.

[asdf]

Final minute of 1st period. Score 14-14

A12 in control of the basketball just inside the center jump circle.

Team B, satisfied with their position after 7 minutes, settles into a 2-3 zone, allowing A12 to hold the ball.

Head Coach from A instructs A12 to "hold the ball until 8 seconds on the clock, then run Tennessee special."

A33, sets up on the left block right next to B25. Both understand this is a "free breather" and are both waiting for the clock to get to 8. In fact, both players are standing next to each other with hands on hips, talking to each other about how good a first period it has been.

Who's calling a 3 second violation here ? (9-7-2)

Not me.............

[tref]

Originally Posted by asdf

Final minute of 1st period. Score 14-14

A12 in control of the basketball just inside the center jump circle.

Team B, satisfied with their position after 7 minutes, settles into a 2-3 zone, allowing A12 to hold the ball.

Head Coach from A instructs A12 to "hold the ball until 8 seconds on the clock, then run Tennessee special."

A33, sets up on the left block right next to B25. Both understand this is a "free breather" and are both waiting for the clock to get to 8. In fact, both players are standing next to each other with hands on hips, talking to each other about how good a first period it has been.

Who's calling a 3 second violation here ? (9-7-2)

Not me.............

Prime example of "right call, wrong time."

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by asdf

Final minute of 1st period. Score 14-14

A12 in control of the basketball just inside the center jump circle.

Team B, satisfied with their position after 7 minutes, settles into a 2-3 zone, allowing A12 to hold the ball.

Head Coach from A instructs A12 to "hold the ball until 8 seconds on the clock, then run Tennessee special."

A33, sets up on the left block right next to B25. Both understand this is a "free breather" and are both waiting for the clock to get to 8. In fact, both players are standing next to each other with hands on hips, talking to each other about how good a first period it has been.

Who's calling a 3 second violation here ? (9-7-2)

Not me.............

Why not? How do you know B went into a zone because they were "satisfied", and not because they wanted to protect their bigs from picking up any dumb fouls? Do you know for sure B's coach wouldn't rather go into halftime with a lead, and you've just screwed them out of a violation and turnover? Why does does A33 get a break from you because they're dumb enough to stand in the lane, even you know that's not their "intent"?

[asdf]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Why not? How do you know B went into a zone because they were "satisfied", and not because they wanted to protect their bigs from picking up any dumb fouls? Do you know for sure B's coach wouldn't rather go into halftime with a lead, and you've just screwed them out of a violation and turnover? Why does does A33 get a break from you because they're dumb enough to stand in the lane, even you know that's not their "intent"?

Because I'm smart enough to know that none of these apply in this situation.

Change 1st period to 4th period and the score from 14-14 to 74-74.

I am not telling A's Head Coach that A33's heels were barely touching the lane boundary line.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by asdf

Because I'm smart enough to know that none of these apply in this situation.

Change 1st period to 4th period and the score from 14-14 to 74-74.

I am not telling A's Head Coach that A33's heels were barely touching the lane boundary line.

Where did you mention in the original post that only A33's heels were on the line? The implication was A33 was in the lane, otherwise why would anyone call a 3-sec. violation?

If this is a game of "gotcha", I'm not playing. I took from your post that you would not make the call solely because both players are simply standing there, and A33 is not gaining a specific advantage because both teams "appear" to be content with running out the clock. If that wasn't your meaning, I'm sorry. If it was, then I still stand by my answer - we should still call the violation if it exists, in the 1st quarter or the 4th.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by asdf

Final minute of 1st period. Score 14-14

A12 in control of the basketball just inside the center jump circle.

Team B, satisfied with their position after 7 minutes, settles into a 2-3 zone, allowing A12 to hold the ball.

Head Coach from A instructs A12 to "hold the ball until 8 seconds on the clock, then run Tennessee special."

A33, sets up on the left block right next to B25. Both understand this is a "free breather" and are both waiting for the clock to get to 8. In fact, both players are standing next to each other with hands on hips, talking to each other about how good a first period it has been.

Who's calling a 3 second violation here ? (9-7-2)

Not me.............

I'm just spit ballin here. "Watch the lane fella's/ladies" might be a good way to go.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Judtech

I'm just spit ballin here. "Watch the lane fella's/ladies" might be a good way to go.

Might be.

But, just spit ballin' here - what if you already said that earlier in the quarter? Do you say it again? What if you say it and they're not paying attention because they're busy comparing stats with each other, or talking about who they're taking to the prom?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Might be.

But, just spit ballin' here - what if you already said that earlier in the quarter? Do you say it again? What if you say it and they're not paying attention because they're busy comparing stats with each other, or talking about who they're taking to the prom?

What's the signal for fraternizing? What's the penalty?