Players in the Book

[eventnyc]

JV Boys HS Game tonight (NFHS Rules). My partner and I count the players on the floor prior to the start of the game. We then check the books and note that team A has 12 players listed in the book. Only 9 are on the floor practicing. We ask the scorer about the missing 3. She states that two are not dressed and one is not present (late). We go over to the coach who informs us that the two not suited up are not playing due to conduct problems (not injured). Are the three players permitted in the book? The rule book states that a team member is a member of bench personnel who is in uniform and is eligible to become a player (4-34.4) If they are not team members are they allowed in the book? If 5 players foul out and two are on the bench not dressed then is it permissible to go with 4? What if the coach prior to the 5th player fouling out decides to dress them? We left the three names in the book. None of the above situations took place.

[Kelvin green]

Dont make so much out of this... If there are more names in the book so what? They are eligible to play in the game.

If they werent on there and they decided to add them, they'd buy playing time with a T.....

[BktBallRef]

Don't be comcerned unless there are more players on the floor than are in the book.

[williebfree]

This appears to be one of those situtations were the coach lists all the players that s/he has on the team, regardless of the ones that are dressed for the game. It is a harmless way for him/her to make sure they write all the players in for future games.

[Nevadaref]

eventnyc asked if it is permissible to list names in the book of people who are not dressed in uniform. Rather than simply tell him not to worry about this, let's answer his question.
Listing all possible players in the scorebook is a smart coaching move. If by some chance the game were to be suspended and then finished later, only those listed in the book could play without penalty. Therefore, it is justified to do this and since there is no rule against it, it is legal.
Also, if a coach chooses to suit a player up at halftime, then that player may also play without penalty if he was listed in the original line-up submitted prior to the 10 minute mark.
Just consider those not dressed, but on the bench and in the scorebook to not be in proper uniform. Since this is the case, they are not eligible to play until they are properly attired. So yes, they can play with 4 or fewer if necessary and still have these people on the bench.

[eventnyc]

Thank you Nevadaref. That answered my question!