NF rules test question #71

Jerry Baldwin · #1 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 30, 1999, 11:02am

"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

Bradley Batt · #2 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 30, 1999, 11:22am

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

Jerry Baldwin · #3 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 30, 1999, 11:50am

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

Dave King · #4 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 30, 1999, 01:56pm

quote:
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

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

Jerry Baldwin · #5 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 30, 1999, 03:07pm

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

Mark Padgett · #6 (**permalink**) Thu Sep 30, 1999, 04:05pm

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).]