The Most Misunderstood Basketball Rules

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Headbands and wristbands must be white, black, beige or a single solid school color, provided all team members are wearing the same color for each item for all participants.

Also, a few other "unannounced" editorial changes.

Okay, I guess I wouldn't have put them in a list of misunderstood rules, but it's your list.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Okay, I guess I wouldn't have put them in a list of misunderstood rules, but it's your list.

Do you really think that players, coaches, and fans, understand this rule? Not in these parts.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

You really think that players, coaches, and fans, understand this rule?

No but I don't think they misunderstand it either. I would put it in the category of unknown rules that they really don't care about.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I would put it in the category of unknown rules that they really don't care about.

I don't give a rat's derriere about fans understanding, or not understanding, this rule, but it would be nice it players, and coaches, understood the rule. Then I wouldn't have to flash my "Fashion Police" badge every few games.

Last season a photo appeared in a major metropolitan newspaper of a high school state tournament game worked by our local board officials where a girl with a white (home) jersey was wearing a red headband (illegal last year, legal this year). Our interpreter made it part of his Powerpoint presentation and, without mentioning any names, reamed us all out.

And if you think that this rule can't be enforced consistently, then guess again. Undershirt, headband, wrist bands, and jewelry rules are strictly enforced in the Catholic middle school league that I work. If we, as officials, don't enforce these rules, we don't get paid by our assigner. All officials know this, as do all coaches. After a few reminders the first week of the season, we no longer have any problems with these "Fashion Police" rules. No, "The officials last week let him wear his lucky purple and yellow striped headband". And some of these kids are in second, or third grade, coached by volunteer parents. If they "get" the rule, then high school varsity players, coached by paid coaches, can "get" the rule.

Would somebody please help me down from my soapbox. I'm getting dizzy up here.

[Adam]

Billy, I have no problem with enforcement of this rule. By the time the kids around here hit high school, they're all complying; so I can only assume it's being enforced at the ms level. I'll probably work a few ms games this year to get back into the flow, so I can tell you it'll be enforced then. Hell, I knew the rule when I played junior high basketball in the late 80s.

Actually, I've got a serious point to make about the misunderstood rules. If it's too long, people don't read it, so I would recommend trying to keep it to one page. That would mean you have to either drop some or shorten them all. Maybe one list of misunderstood rules and one list of "rules you never knew about."

I can see the misunderstood rules (3 seconds, over the back, etc.) being useful to help fans; while the "rules you never know about" (colors of undershirts and headbands, jewelry, coaching box) would be beneficial to parents and coaches who are new to the game.

Just my two bits offered from somewhere in front of the soapbox.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I've got a serious point to make about the misunderstood rules. If it's too long, people don't read it, so I would recommend trying to keep it to one page. That would mean you have to either drop some or shorten them all.

Great point. I keep trying to shorten it, but can't decide which points to delete. It's not "my" list (I've gotten a lot of help from many Forum members), but it is my "baby" and it's hard for me to let one, or more, points "leave the nest". I'm starting to tear up just thinking about it. Next time I revise it I will invite Forum members to make corrections, additions, or, dare I say it, deletions. Of course, we're all good neighbors around here so no one really needs an invitation.

[MelbRef]

"Palming or carrying is when a player gains an advantage when the ball comes to rest in the player's hand"

Is it OK for the point guard to palm his way down the court if no-one is around him?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I have no problem with enforcement of this rule. By the time the kids around here hit high school, they're all complying.

How do you, and your association colleagues, accomplish this daunting task? I talk to to varsity kids during warmups about illegal equipment and they look at me like I'm from Mars and I've got three eyes. I've got kids, and coaches, telling me in January, "How come? All the other officials that we've had this year have allowed Poindexter to wear his lucky, yellow, and pink, polka dotted, headband". This always makes me feel like I'm one of "those guys" and I don't want to be like one of "those guys". I screwed up and made one of "those guys" calls a few years ago, and I've never lived it down.

[Adam]

For one, if Poindexter's friends/coaches tried telling me that, I'd know they were lying. They don't try. Every time I have to say anything (arm bands, ipod, earrings) in warm-ups, I get the same response. "Oh yeah, sorry." And it's a legitimate "sorry," as you can see in their face they just forgot.