cheerleaders
 

Had the following, a roudy croud complaining that the home team cheerleaders were cheering during the visiting teams free throws. I dont believe that there are any specific rules about cheerleaders not being allowed to cheer at any time, but could it be considered disconcertion by anyone?

Not disconcertion. Bad form? Depends on the area. And I try not to hear the crowds. Let game management deal with it as they see fit.

And their point?

It could be considered disconcertion by someone, but that would not be a correct application of the rule, which restricts disconcerting to players, particularly opponents of the free thrower.

My only concern would be if they were standing on the end line between the lane lines

That is what i thought but initially but was wondering about cheerleaders being an extension of the team as they are part of the school and thus the opponent of the visiting team. Guess the visitors could always bring their cheerleaders and that would negate the argument.

Why would that change things? Still no rule and they are not in the way of the official.

Don't be a plumber.

Sure, they're an extension of the team, and so are the parents, fans, other students... But that's not a rule-book concept. :)

Don't mess with the cheerleaders.

Not trying to be a plumber that's why I said no rule. Wondering why location of cheerleaders matters.

Ignore the fans...the same could be said anytime the opposing team's fans do the same thing. They wouldn't be complaining about that.

They aren't an extension of the team. They're simply team spectators...handle them as such. Let game management deal with them. The only concern I have with cheerleaders is making sure they don't get in my way.

Generally, keep them away from the area you would work as lead. But, if they are not using artificial noisemakers, as long as they are not using offensive language, leave it alone. It beats playing in a morgue.

U r going to allow cheerleaders to stand along the endline between the lane lines while you are trying to officiate a game?

And on top of that you are going to allow them to jump up and down while an opponent is shooting a free throw?

Not something that concerns me. Let site management deal with it.

Personally, I don't like it when cheerleaders yell during free throws, at any level. I don't believe that to be their role, and I don't know anyone around here that would allow that.

Equally, I don't like it when game administrators don't allow such yelling from student sections. I've seen that more and more, and I believe schools overstep their bounds when doing so.

As an official, though, I wouldn't get involved in either.