It's that time again (rule changes)

[oatmealqueen]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by stan-MI

Originally posted by Mark Padgett

I know of no Michigan official, athletic director or coach who isn't begging for a return of the mercy rule (running clock in the second half after a team gets a 40-pt. lead). Neither the winning team nor the losing team has any fun or learns anything in a blowout of this magnitude.

I agree with you Stan and I'm from Michigan. I believe that officials from other states who hav't seen/used the mercy rule underestimate it's usefullness. Does the "Walkerville" fiasco from last fall ring a bell?

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by Refneck
Rule change:
Make the "jump-stop" illegal. IMO, the only reason it's legal is the semantics of how the rule involving the end of the dribble is written. It think it goes against the spirit of the traveling rule.

I also agree with getting rid of the quarter system. Two 16 minute halves would give the game a better flow.

POE's:
Traveling! Watch a game at the HS or college level and notice how many travels are let go. Especially the one preceding a break away dunk. Happens entirely too much.

Hanging on the rim. We have let the whole idea of "he was under me" go way too far. We let kids hang on the rim all the time now. It's got to stop.

I'm okay with the jump stop, but it fits into your POE.

Far too often, a legal jump stop is called a travel, and a travel is ignored as a jump stop. (Not that I've ever had either of those happen to me.)

What we need is somewhat simplified and explained version in the POE - and then we need to get refs to read those.

[Mark Padgett]

....that the NF is considering allowing basketballs with 10 panels to be used in HS play next season!!! WOW!!! Is there no end to their madness?????

[mj]

Now this may really be nit-picky but I hate the mechanic that is in place between quarters. Where the referee is at mid-court and the umpire is at the free throw line of the direction you'll be heading.

I think it makes more sense for both officials to be standing on the free throw line. It is much easier to notify the teams of the warning horn this way.

I'm not sure what a 10 panel ball will do for the game. Maybe the ball makers need these changes, like a few years ago they said all the ball need the NFHS logo on it, that way schools need to keep buying new balls.

MJ

[gsf23]

We have used a ten panel ball in practice a few times. The kids have all told me that it is a lot easier to handle, especially for some of my smaller freshman guards. It has also been very durable, maintains it shape well. I don't know how much it would help at the high school level, but I think it would be a big help at the junior high level.