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.

Bench Personnel ...
 

Not only players. I believe that bench personnel can also be charged with disconcertion.

It's a "game administration" issue and different states / conferences have different rules for this and different views on who should enforce it.

Some might let the cheerleaders stand anywhere.

Some might restrict them to the stands (except during TOs, etc).

Some might say more than 3' from the endline and not in the lane extended and no cheering during free throws and pom-poms must be no more than 28" in diameter and mande of a nocsae approved pliable material designed so the "whooshing" noise cannot be heard more than 14.7 metres away.

IOW, all the answers above could be correct.

Actually, the NFHS does prohibit cheerleaders from distracting (disconcerting) an opponent while shooting free throws. Most officials are unaware because it falls under the "spirit team" rules. Most places don't enforce it. Another area that we as officials have to be the experts on.

News to me...rule citation please? Nowhere in MY rule book does the term "spirit team" appear, thus neither I, nor my partners have any expertise of cheerleader behavior (nor do I want any).

Personally, it sounds like a case of OOO to be concerned what the cheerleaders are doing. I'm more worried about getting the calls correct for the 10 guys in basketball uniforms on the floor. The ones in the short skirts are somebody elses worry AFAIC.

If it is under the "spirit team" rules, then we don't care. We only enforce basketball rules.

2-8-1 note: When team supporters become unruly or interfere with the orderly progress of the game, the officials shall stop the game until the host management resolves the situation.


A cheerleader shaking her pom-poms on the end line in front of the free throw shooter could be considered interference, in my opinion.

They can be on the endline, but may not be under the basket from lane line to lane line.

As Bob says that varies from state to state.
Each person should check with those in charge in a particular area.

That may very well be true, but some places do struggle with cheerleaders and NFHS has addressed it, as it does relate to basketball game management in some areas. That's why I said most officials are unaware of it. Coaches have brought it up before. And having as much info as possible can't be a bad thing. However, when in Rome ...

Get into your rulebook :rolleyes:

I don't think I'll be ever concerned about what's in the NFHS cheerleading rule book. I'm a basketball official.

Good For The Goose, Good For The Gander ...
 

Boys varsity game tonight. First half. Home cheerleaders were standing in two rows behind the endline and were swishing their pom poms (not cheering) during opponents free throws. I thought to my self, "That's kind of like a thread on the Forum". Second half. They were doing the same thing while their own players were shooting free throws. Unsporting? I think not.

+1

MTD, Sr.

You are thinking way too much.

MTD, Sr.

:eek:

MTD, Sr.


P.S. I am sorry I just couldn't help myself. Bonnie, my better half, can't take me out in public anymore.

When you step on their toes a couple of time, they tend to move.