Tech For The Student Section??

[stripes]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...THIS IS NOT GOLF. Fans are allowed to yell. If players can't hack it, they need to take up another sport, like golf. We have no authority to penalize a crowd for something like this.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by stripes

We have no authority to penalize a crowd for something like this.

Not entirely true.

NFHS 2-8-1 gives us such authority, but the NOTE attached to it is very important. The key word there is "discretion."

Was the OP's situation "interfer(ing) with the proper conduct of the game?" I certainly don't think so. That "sunk it" chant sounds fine, but no cowbell during game play. (Sorry, Mr. Walken.)

Alert game management, let them deal with it, and if the artificial noisemaking persists, THEN consider a T.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by stripes

We have no authority to penalize a crowd for something like this.

As I was coming up through the ranks I had a senior P award a missed FT to a V player for disconcertion from an H fan all the way at the other end of the court. Really? It was amazing!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stripes

I've said it before and I'll say it again...THIS IS NOT GOLF. Fans are allowed to yell. If players can't hack it, they need to take up another sport, like golf. We have no authority to penalize a crowd for something like this.

Sure, we have the authority. But it's generally better not to use it.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by stripes

I've said it before and I'll say it again...THIS IS NOT GOLF. Fans are allowed to yell. If players can't hack it, they need to take up another sport, like golf. We have no authority to penalize a crowd for something like this.

Originally Posted by bainsey

Not entirely true.

NFHS 2-8-1 gives us such authority, but the NOTE attached to it is very important. The key word there is "discretion."

Was the OP's situation "interfer(ing) with the proper conduct of the game?" I certainly don't think so. That "sunk it" chant sounds fine, but no cowbell during game play. (Sorry, Mr. Walken.)

Alert game management, let them deal with it, and if the artificial noisemaking persists, THEN consider a T.

To correct both of you, the official didn't penalize the crowd.

He penalized the team.

And while he CAN do it, he was WAY out of line.

[chseagle]

Here's a Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I found in a HS Basketball program:

1. Welcome visitors to your gym & treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions!
4. Always displayappreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Excercise self control & permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior-Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
7. Be supportive to all & this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
8. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on the bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.

How many on this list do you approve? Of those you disapprove of, why?

[Terrance "TJ"]

Originally Posted by chseagle

Here's a Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I found in a HS Basketball program:

1. Welcome visitors to your gym & treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions!
4. Always displayappreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Excercise self control & permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior-Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
7. Be supportive to all & this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
8. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on the bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.

How many on this list do you approve? Of those you disapprove of, why?

#6 seems to be this abstract idea. They learn a couple and generally think they know all the little nuances the game can present.
What's considered a negative comment? Disagreeing with a call or play? Then fans either won't come to this gym (if this is enforced) or a lot of fans will start being removed by game admin if they enforce this. Which to me is a bit over kill, why can't someone disagree with something on the court?
What's so wrong about stomping on the bleachers? I've never perceived it as negative at all.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by Terrance "TJ"

#6 seems to be this abstract idea. They learn a couple and generally think they know all the little nuances the game can present.
What's considered a negative comment? Disagreeing with a call or play? Then fans either won't come to this gym (if this is enforced) or a lot of fans will start being removed by game admin if they enforce this. Which to me is a bit over kill, why can't someone disagree with something on the court?
What's so wrong about stomping on the bleachers? I've never perceived it as negative at all.

Negative comments (examples): "my grandma plays better defense", my dog can coach better than you"

Negative comments basically that belittle the coach/player/team.

The stomping/pounding on the bleachers I am thinking was put in as a maintenance request.

Like I stated originally, I found this on the back of a HS Basketball Program.

OT (kinda): There's a local hockey team that has the rule that you can't bang on the glass.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by chseagle

Here's a Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I found in a HS Basketball program:

1. Welcome visitors to your gym & treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions!
4. Always displayappreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Excercise self control & permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior-Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
7. Be supportive to all & this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
8. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on the bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.

How many on this list do you approve? Of those you disapprove of, why?

I think that all fans should be shot and not heard.

I also think that I don't give a crap what the fans do as long as they don't interfere with the game.

[26 Year Gap]

Game management sets up their own protocols. I remember one AD, in trying to flesh out an artificial noisemaker, telling a section of students to give it up or the whole section was leaving. His attitude toward noise when opponents were shooting FTs was that you shouldn't quash school spirit. Throwing stuff, shouting obscenities, and the like are instances when GM should get involved. Issuing a T based on crowd behavior is rarely a good idea.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by chseagle

Here's a Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I found in a HS Basketball program:

1. Welcome visitors to your gym & treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions!
4. Always displayappreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Excercise self control & permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior-Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
7. Be supportive to all & this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
8. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on the bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.

How many on this list do you approve? Of those you disapprove of, why?

I just found out, via additional investigating, that the Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I posted above is league mandated.

Here's how it is listed in the league's SOP Handbook:

Definition: "Sportsmanship is more than a series of behaviors - it is an attitude. It is based on honesty, fairness, and humanity toward others."

SPORTSMANSHIP/FAN ETIQUETTE
1. Welcome visitors to your gym and treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions and free throw situations!
4. Always display appreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Exercise self control and permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior - Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Avoid stomping on the bleachers - This is very destructive!
7. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
8. Be supportive to all and this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
9. Bands will refrain from inappropriate songs such as:
NaNaNaNa Hey Hey, Goodbye
Another One Bites The Dust
Hit The Road Jack
10. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.
11. No continuous standing in indoor events.

[APG]

I find some of those points over the top.

Seriously, as long as there are no artificial noisemakers, no profane language, nothing derogatory towards opponents, then the fans have met my expectations for sportsmanship. Fans want to boo me as an official, fine by me. Fans boo an opponent, fine by me at appropriate moments.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by chseagle

I just found out, via additional investigating, that the Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I posted above is league mandated.

Here's how it is listed in the league's SOP Handbook:

Definition: "Sportsmanship is more than a series of behaviors - it is an attitude. It is based on honesty, fairness, and humanity toward others."

SPORTSMANSHIP/FAN ETIQUETTE
1. Welcome visitors to your gym and treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions and free throw situations!
4. Always display appreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Exercise self control and permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior - Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Avoid stomping on the bleachers - This is very destructive!
7. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
8. Be supportive to all and this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
9. Bands will refrain from inappropriate songs such as:
NaNaNaNa Hey Hey, Goodbye
Another One Bites The Dust
Hit The Road Jack
10. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.
11. No continuous standing in indoor events.

The ones in red to me are the most important ones.

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

I find some of those points over the top.

Seriously, as long as there are no artificial noisemakers, no profane language, nothing derogatory towards opponents, then the fans have met my expectations for sportsmanship. Fans want to boo me as an official, fine by me. Fans boo an opponent, fine by me at appropriate moments.

I agree that some of those listed are a bit over the top.

During one BV game earlier this year, I heard fans stomping on the bleachers during FTs & I requested that the PA announcer made the announcement about "No stomping on the bleachers". The Boys' JV Coach looks over & says "come on this is basketball & not golf, let them stomp on the bleachers!"

What else can be said in a situation like that except that it's mandated by the league?

I can see a bit of reasoning behind the no stomping on the bleachers though especially since the bleachers are wooden.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by chseagle

During one BV game earlier this year, I heard fans stomping on the bleachers during FTs & I requested that the PA announcer made the announcement about "No stomping on the bleachers". The Boys' JV Coach looks over & says "come on this is basketball & not golf, let them stomp on the bleachers!"

What else can be said in a situation like that except that it's mandated by the league?

I can see a bit of reasoning behind the no stomping on the bleachers though especially since the bleachers are wooden.

That the league is stupid?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by chseagle

I just found out, via additional investigating, that the Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I posted above is league mandated.

Here's how it is listed in the league's SOP Handbook:

Definition: "Sportsmanship is more than a series of behaviors - it is an attitude. It is based on honesty, fairness, and humanity toward others."

SPORTSMANSHIP/FAN ETIQUETTE
1. Welcome visitors to your gym and treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions and free throw situations!
4. Always display appreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Exercise self control and permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior - Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Avoid stomping on the bleachers - This is very destructive!
7. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
8. Be supportive to all and this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
9. Bands will refrain from inappropriate songs such as:
NaNaNaNa Hey Hey, Goodbye
Another One Bites The Dust
Hit The Road Jack
10. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.
11. No continuous standing in indoor events.

I've encountered a lot of leagues that issue sportsmanship edicts like this in my career. I've never encountered one that really tried to enforce it except sporadically when problems were brought to the attention. Talk is cheap.