In soccer, no team is going to give away a free kick/throw-in if the officials get it wrong. When was the last time you saw a team intentionally miss a P.K. because they knew the C.R. got it wrong? Heck soccer players are the most notorious athletes in regards to trying to fool the officials by diving at the slightest bit of contact.

And you can't expect players on a court to stop play when they have an advantage...most of the time they wouldn't even know if they have that advantage because they're quicker than the other team or a player was injured...once someone was able to recognize it, it would probably mean that they've pulled the ball out, and by rule we're blowing the play dead.

Everyone was wrong...
 

First off, let me preface by saying that I know the crew that worked this game, I work with a couple of them all the time here in Omaha... I feel terrible because their hands were tied...BUT, when we ask coaches before the game if their players are properly equipped, we expect to get an honest answer.

All the Burke coach had to do during a pregame conference was say hey, we've got this fundraiser, our girls are wearing light pink unis, is that a problem? I'd turn to the other coach, and ask him/her if it was an issue... 10 times out of 10 they'd say no, and we'd be covered.

Is the Columbus AD in the wrong when it comes to the 'spirit' of the rule--absolutely. You know who's the 'most' wrong--the Omaha World-Herald, for making a huge story out of it (and then covering their own *** and donating $1000 to Make-a-Wish)

The other coach saying it's okay really doesn't change anything. Whether it's okay with him or not, my thought is that I simply wouldn't call a T in this situation and let the chips fall where they may.

Yeah you are probably right on the professional level. It is not such a big deal to us here just playing for rec. OK, you win. Just saying, it would be nice if there was more honesty/sportsmanship though. "No ref, i touched it last."

I think you've been seen that one Values commercial one too many times. ;)

Did you notice the "ref' calls it "blue" ball?

This is a direct to the head coach, correct?

No, but soccer players do routinely put the ball out of play so injured players can be seen to. Then, the team with the restart will play the ball back to the team who had the injured player defensive third and allow that team to start possession from there 95% of the time. If this doesn't happen, you usually have a very tense situation to try to defuse. It's one of the strongest unwritten rules of any sport I know.

That's the example that was being referenced.

I know that...hence why I referred to why in basketball, that practice would be unrealistic and unnecessary (under NFHS and NCAA rules).

This brings back memories and a few teary eyes as well. I was coaching a 6th grade team in a summer tournament playing a 6th/7th grade tournament. Needless to say we were getting run out of the gym. Other team's coach had a son that, without trying to sound mean, had something wrong with him. Very small for his age and mentally challenged in some respect. He decided to let him play near the end of the game and when they realized he had not added to the book, a technical was called. After noticing a couple of my kids talking to the refs and hoping that they were not causing trouble, the lead ref came to me and said that my kids had asked if they could let the kid on the other team shoot OUR technical free throws. He informed me that he had no idea what the ruling on that was (these were just college kids) and asked if I cared. After telling him that I ABSOLUTELY didn't have a problem with it, I proceeded to watch 9 out of 10 kids on the floor spend the remaining 3 minutes running plays in cooperation trying to get the other to score. It all ended with about 10 seconds to go when one of the other teams kids picked him up so he could reach. It amazes me to this day how a gym filled with only about 100 spectators could be so LOUD. Keep in mind that this was a pretty competitive tourney that we had driven 4 hours to get to.

These kids, now Seniors in HS still talk about it to this day. One common experience that they will always remember and probably the proudest day of my father/coaching life.

This post probably doesn't belong here but it took me back so I thought I would share.

I don't think it needs to be unrealistic (unless you think basketball players and coaches are that much more ruthless than their soccer counterparts). As to necessity, what other choice does a coach who doesn't want to "win that way" have? He can't decline the penalty as if it's football.

This story is making news all across the country. I agree with those who say the visiting AD/Head Coach were @$$es for forcing the officials' hand in calling the T, the real blame falls on the AD/Head Coach of the home team for not getting the waiver from NFHS. They all know the rule regarding illegal uniforms. If the had time to have the uniforms made and ordered, they had time to get the waiver and this would have been a non-issue. If NFHS had said "no" to the waiver, they could have made a story out of that (How embarrassing that would be for NFHS?).The responsible adults did not handle their responsibilities. They are the ones who let the kids down. Once again, the visiting AD/HC were jerks about it, but put the blame were it should be ... home HC/AD.

They would have to get an exemption from the state association rather than NFHS.

Ok, same here in our state. Just seems like that would have made more sense than what happened.

That commercial irritates my wife so badly every time it comes on. Hilarious.