"During the game a coach may not use cards or signs to communicate with players on the courts." The rule reference is 10-5 but that section does not deal with this question except in 10-5-1-3 which is TV monitors and electronic devices. The Arkansas School for the Deaf has never used "cards or signs" but I cannot find a rule that prohibts their use. Any ideas? Later. Jerry

Using the cards is legal. The coach can even roll up the card into a makeshift megaphone, which is legal (whereas a regular megaphone is not). There are a few teams in Houston that use cards - basically just to call plays.

Later,
Brad

Thanks Brad. Is there a rule reference? I have seen coaches use a program or line up card and rule it up, but ususally to hit their players over the head. I told a coach a
2 x 4 would be better and he asked if I had one handy. I can find nothing in the rules that prohibits the use but I acannot find a rule reference that permits it either, which is usually an indication it's okay. Thanks for the quick response. I have a rule test session at my house tonight and wanted to cover all the questions I was not sure on. Later. Jerry

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jerry Baldwin on 09-30-1999 11:02 AM
The rule reference is 10-5 but that section does not deal with this question except in 10-5-1-3 which is TV monitors and electronic devices. Jerry<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jerry, Has Rule 10 changed since last year? My 98-99 rulebook reference would be Rule 10-1.3.

Also case book play(last years') 10.1.3a and 10.1.3b outline legal and illegal means of communication.

Using cards is legal since not expressly prohibited.

dk

Dave,
You are correct it is 10.1.3. I got finger heavy and the 5 got in by mistake. Thanks for the Case book reference, which is the same this year as last year. I guess the word "sign" in question #71 bothered me. I can just see some coach with a 2' x 2' poster giving instructions, which is apparently legal. At least the rules do not prohibit the useage and makes the answer "incorrect". Later. Jerry http://www.ereferee.com/ubb/wink.gif

Jerry emailed me about this question and I emailed him back. Pretty much, I reiterated what is said above. If it is not prohibited, it's probably allowed. Jerry is correct, however, that the rule reference answer sheet supplied by the NF references rule 10-5. Also note that the question as stated in the test is kind of a "double negative" question. If you think a coach CANNOT use signs, you must mark "true". If you think a coach CAN use signs, you must mark "false". I think the NF should write the test to eliminate this type of grammer in questions, and add the words "always" and "intentional" to some others.

[This message has been edited by Mark Padgett (edited September 30, 1999).]