It's that time again (rule changes)

[oatmealqueen]

Originally posted by Mark Padgett

Jim - with schools cutting class days, laying off teachers and increasing class sizes due to lack of funding, I don't think you'll see a mandate to make them buy shot clocks.

BTW - I don't like any "mercy rules", unless they are just to stop backcourt guarding when the spread gets to a certain point. I don't support running clock due to a point spread because I feel the kids deserve to play the proper time regardless of the score.

Mark,
I both like and dislike the "mercy rule".
Positives: Kids on the losing end of a lopsided score aren't standing around being humiliated for any longer than needed. Less than sportsmanlike coaches are not given the freedom to run up huge scores.
Negatives: Kids do not get to play 32 minutes of "real" ball.
I don't like the rule as presently written. It could be "tweaked" to make it different, or coaches could do the right thing, not run up scores, and we wouldn't have to worry.