Twitter.....tweet, tweet, whack?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

As always, I'd like to hear the official's story before passing judgment.

Yup, I'm just passing on what two reporters were told. Sounds to me like they got the story from somebody on site.

I will say this, though. If it happened, I wouldn't be surprised.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I will say this, though. If it happened, I wouldn't be surprised.

It's amazing to me that anyone assigned to a state playoff game wouldn't know the pertinent rule.

Notice I also didn't say "surprising" though too. Unfortunately I've also run into officials like that.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

It's amazing to me that anyone assigned to a state playoff game wouldn't know the pertinent rule.

Notice I also didn't say "surprising" though too. Unfortunately I've also run into officials like that.

Good rules knowledge is not really a prerequisite for game assignments where I live. I see (or hear about) rules seriously screwed up in all 3 sports I work at the varsity level all the time. In the end, I can only make sure *I* know the rules and enforce them correctly.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Good rules knowledge is not really a prerequisite for game assignments where I live. I see (or hear about) rules seriously screwed up in all 3 sports I work at the varsity level all the time. In the end, I can only make sure *I* know the rules and enforce them correctly.

I do not know of any assignment that is made based on that anyway (and not a test does not count in my mind). But the funny thing is a coach last night I believe was trying to get us to T a player for having an earring during a critical time of the game. Of course we did not, but there are people somewhere that think this is the penalty. I do not know how you can prove someone knows the rule unless they are faced with this situation and screw it up.

Peace

[NoFussRef]

I hope the T was for something "said" when being asked to remove the jewelry or, at least for "sneaking it back in". We take enough heat for being the fashion police, and most fans etc... do not understand we are only enforcing equipment rules out of concern for safety.

Never have I seen a T given for jewelry, the worst thing I do to a player found to be wearing jewelry after tip-off is make them remove it during a dead ball.

I have been known to make coach take a player out for a tick to remove it though. "Coach, player #15 is out of uniform/improperly equipped, you will need to sub until it is corrected." Did this just last weekend, told a player during pregame to make sure he removed a necklace, he said he would. During the third quarter, I see it still on and told coach to sub him out.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

I had a partner, who is now our VP in our association, who "T"ed up a player for ear rings. His logic was " I asked the coach if all her players were properly equiped."

I wonder if that official does soccer, too, because that mentality (backed up by NFHS rules) fits perfectly in soccer (yellow card to the coach on the first offense, to the player each additional), but not in basketball.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not know of any assignment that is made based on that anyway (and not a test does not count in my mind). But the funny thing is a coach last night I believe was trying to get us to T a player for having an earring during a critical time of the game. Of course we did not, but there are people somewhere that think this is the penalty. I do not know how you can prove someone knows the rule unless they are faced with this situation and screw it up.

Peace

I don't think tests are the answer, either. Especially since they're all open book Part I and Part II) here and we go through the tests question by question at association meetings.

But you'd think there'd be some *consequences* for officials that get something so wrong. A few years ago, we had a muffed punt returned by K for a TD and it was discussed at an association meeting and the prevailing attitude was that "they're good officials" and "this can happen to anyone." I wanted to barf.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

A few years ago, we had a muffed punt returned by K for a TD and it was discussed at an association meeting and the prevailing attitude was that "they're good officials" and "this can happen to anyone." I wanted to barf.

It's no different than some other workplaces. Regardless of the offense, how much trouble you're in is sometimes directly proportional to your buddy factor of those around you.

That said, I don't work high school football, Rich, so I'm confused. A muffed punt returned by a kicker for a TD?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by bainsey

That said, I don't work high school football, Rich, so I'm confused. A muffed punt returned by a kicker for a TD?

K is the kicking team. K can recover but not advance a muffed kick in NFHS rules. The covering official should have blown it dead once K had possession.

[APG]

Originally Posted by bainsey

It's no different than some other workplaces. Regardless of the offense, how much trouble you're in is sometimes directly proportional to your buddy factor of those around you.

That said, I don't work high school football, Rich, so I'm confused. A muffed punt returned by a kicker for a TD?

A muffed punt can not be returned by the kicking team. The ball is dead at the spot of recovery. Now if the returning team had clear possession of the punt and then fumbled it, the kicking team could recover and advance the ball.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by mbyron

K is the kicking team.

Got it. I saw a single player with the letter "K." Thanks.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by NoFussRef

Never have I seen a T given for jewelry, the worst thing I do to a player found to be wearing jewelry after tip-off is make them remove it during a dead ball.

Citation please? Officials can't make players remove jewelry. All we can do is tell them that they can't participate while wearing jewelry.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Citation please? Officials can't make players remove jewelry. All we can do is tell them that they can't participate while wearing jewelry.

Semantics IMO. I tell them to take it off if they want to play. I don't see the point in wordsmithing it as it is fairly obvious the player won't get to play if they leave it in. If you're told to say a certain thing, fine, but we aren't. No citation needed.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Semantics IMO. I tell them to take it off if they want to play. I don't see the point in wordsmithing it as it is fairly obvious the player won't get to play if they leave it in. If you're told to say a certain thing, fine, but we aren't. No citation needed.

Agreed. I typically just say, "she can't play with them in," but there's no one that has said I can't say, "she needs to take them out." If I get an argument after saying "she has to take them out," that's when I'll offer the alternative by saying, "She can't play with them in."

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Agreed. I typically just say, "she can't play with them in," but there's no one that has said I can't say, "she needs to take them out." If I get an argument after saying "she has to take them out," that's when I'll offer the alternative by saying, "She can't play with them in."

Granted, for the most part it's simply semantics. But there is a slight difference between saying "they can't participate" (the rule) vs. "they have to take it out" (not the rule).

Similar situation - player has blood on their jersey, and you can see it's too much to simply clean off. You tell the coach, "Your player needs to change their jersey before they can play again." So, as the player is walking towards the bench, they take off their jersey to replace it with an extra one the manager had available, so they can be ready to go at the next available opportunity. Do you now give the player a T for following your orders?

What if the player with piercing develops some sort of medical condition as a result of you telling them they "had to take it out"? (Yes, I know, this would be a very unlikely scenario.) But if you told them they simply couldn't participate, all of the responsibility for taking it out will rest with the player.

The point is, even though unlikely, something negative could happen as a result of your direct order. Sticking with the direct application of the rule will keep you out of those situations.