Pre-Game Team Entrance Lap: T?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Spence

In our online state clinic it was mentioned that an emphasis on "sporting behavior" now includes a)the team taking a pre-game lap when entering the floor b)huddling at the midcourt circle and c)using the entire floor after the other team leaves the floor. These are now not allowed. What I'm not clear on is how to enforce and/or penalize it.

First, since teams enter the floor before 15:00 minutes A is probably moot. However, it's not uncommon for teams to run the 3-man weave on using the entire floor if the other team is gone. Are we going to call a T for unsporting behavior?

Has this come up in all states?

Our clinic included that teams are to stay on their half of the court during warm-ups regardless that the other team is not present.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Our clinic included that teams are to stay on their half of the court during warm-ups regardless that the other team is not present.

So did ours, but no penalty was described if they did. Figures.

[Spence]

Is it a direct on the head coach?

[buckrog64]

I think the state wants it reported so they can deal with it. Must really becoming a turf problem of some sort.

[Kingsman1288]

Here in CA we were told that teams are to warm-up only on their side of the court, no matter if the other team is on the floor or not.

As for the pre-game lap around the court, we were instructed that this is not allowed at any time. The rationale we were given is that this is a form of intimidation and should be penalized as an unsporting act with a technical foul. I believe we were instructed that it is charged directly to the head coach, but I will double check this.

[Jurassic Referee]

Entering the Wayback Machine....

They first had this as a POE back in 2002-03 when the NFHS rulesmakers identified it as becoming a problem. From that POE, the FED's instructions to us was that: "Officials should be prepared to be assess a technical foul to a team member/team demonstrating these unsporting acts. The specific inappropriate actions of a few team members may be individually penalized or the entire team may be assessed one technical foul if they collectively engage in any inappropriate behavior(s). Since all team members are considered bench personnel before the game and during intermissions, the head coach would also be charged indirectly with the technical foul."

Having cited that, I'd still recommending contacting your state office for direction.

[Adam]

My instinct would to instruct the HC to stop, and issue a direct T to the HC if he doesn't comply; but that requires the HC to be around.
I would just add to the chorus of "contact your state." They may want you to go directly to the T, or they may want you to give the coach a chance to remember the new policy.
I'm surprised this is an issue; we ran the full court 3 on 2 on 1 drill when the other team went to the locker room; and it was never an issue.

[chseagle]

So here's a question for everyone.

My alma mater has been doing the full court lap for warmups since before I attended there, what can be done to cease this "unsporting" activity since it is actually illegal to do?

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So did ours, but no penalty was described if they did. Figures.

Darn, now I have to stay awake for pregame warm-ups just in case.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

Darn, now I have to stay awake for pregame warm-ups just in case.

I have little eye stickers I put on over my eyelids, so I can sleep standing up with nobody knowing. Does any other state require officials to take the court at TWENTY minutes?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Does any other state require officials to take the court at TWENTY minutes?

Yes.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Does any other state require officials to take the court at TWENTY minutes?

Generally around here, the floor officials make their presence known after the teams have already taken the court, with between 15-18 minutes left of pregame.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by chseagle

Generally around here, the floor officials make their presence known after the teams have already taken the court, with between 15-18 minutes left of pregame.

"Make their presence known?" Do you mean simply walk out onto the court? Or is it like Texas, where the officials blow their whistle to let the pampered athletes know it's time to stop breaking the rules?

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

"Make their presence known?" Do you mean simply walk out onto the court? Or is it like Texas, where the officials blow their whistle to let the pampered athletes know it's time to stop breaking the rules?

Sorry, should of clarified...I was meaning they are not present when the teams first come out for warmups. They come out while the teams are in the middle of their warmups.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

"Make their presence known?" Do you mean simply walk out onto the court? Or is it like Texas, where the officials blow their whistle to let the pampered athletes know it's time to stop breaking the rules?

Might be more a case of the coaches in Texas. Don't want to upset 'em.

Ricockulous practice! Find an excuse to ignore a very plainly-written rule that's been in effect umpty-ump years. Texas wants to change their officials into See No Evil monkeys. If you're not going to follow it, just change the damn rule.

Grumble, grumble, grumble.....