flashing on the endline
 

Had a GV game last night where the visiting coach complained about a photographer using flash photography under his goal. He was stationed against the wall behind the visitor's basket. I couldn't cite any rule against this except possible concern for the players safety. There was plenty of room between the endline and the wall (12 to 15 ft), so a collision was not likely. At a break I went and spoke with the photographer and told him what was going on. He politely said he'd stop shooting. As I was leaving he said, "Couldn't have anything to do with him being down 20 would it?" :D

My bad, I thought this post was about Padgetts "New" officiating jacket/trenchcoat.

Probably one I would leave up to game mgmt.

Don't do it on the endline - too far away from the hot moms. ;)

BTW - our local kids rec league has a rule prohibiting taking flash pictures during play from anywhere in the gym. In all my years, I've never had anyone complain about it when told to stop. They can take all the pictures they want, just not with their flash. They can use the flash during timeouts and warmups, etc.

Boy did I think this topic was going in a different direction...

Actually had this the other day at a sub-varsity game. Two flash generators posted up on a catwalk above the court. Wasn't really distracting and nobody complained about it.

When I saw the title of this post I immediately thought of a game that a Canadian officiating friend of mine once worked. I will not use real names to protect the guilty.

He was officiating a women's game between a Canadian college (home team) and a national team from one of the Scandanavian countries (visiting team). Prior to the start of the game it was discovered that the Vistor's were wearing their "home" jerseys. It was decided that the Home team would lend the Visitor's team their "away" jerseys. It was thought that the Visitor's would retire to the locker room to change jerseys, but the Visitor's decided to change jerseys at courtside. There was a collective sucking of air out of the arena as everybody discovered the most of the Visitor's not only did not wear sports bras, they did not wear bras at all. :eek:

MTD, Sr.

Ya just gotta LOVE those Canadians!! :D

Getting serious now.
 

I am uncomfortable with anybody but officials along the endline. If you think that a photographer poses a problem politely instruct him to move. If he does not want to move, have game managemnt move him. The safety of the players trump the First Amendment rights of the photographer.

MTD, Sr.

Am I nuts for recalling most sports photogs going flash-less when shooting indoors? I could see how you might need one for a night football game if the lights are poor. But in a gym? Get a new freakin' camera!

Unless the state has guideline to the contrary, this would be a game management issue.

Oregon's state policy:

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
Flash photography, including on-and-off camera flash/ strobe units, is permitted at all OSAA events. Remote flash/ strobe units should be used wherever possible. Please avoid shooting directly into participants' eyes with flash-mounted units.

Your state probably has something similar.

Two questions:

1) did they change shorts, too
2) was everyone looking at the hair under their arms - oh wait, the team wasn't from France :p

Methinks BillyMac has a new nominee for Post O the Week.

Funny, I was doing a state tourney game last year and photographer was on endline popping flashes. I politely asked him to stop and of course he became huffy and continued. We had him chased by management and at half there is a knock on our door and he trys to barge in demanding our names. Of course the standard Mendy Rudolph, Sid Borgia, Dick Bavetta stuff came up as we shooed him away....................ant.

Your state tourney didn't have game management able to prevent him from getting to your locker room?

Ohio's policy for 2010-11 can be found on the last page of this document:
http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/rglts/GenSportsReg10-11.pdf

It's a bit too long to post.