Things Officials Should Probably Not Be Saying In A Game ...

[johnny d]

I have to agree with JRut on this one. In the middle of a game it isn't my responsibility to conduct a rules clinic for the players and coaches. I use spot throw-in rather than don't move. If the player and or coach, because of their lack of rule knowledge, takes that to mean they cannot move that is their problem, not mine. They will figure it out eventually or continue to put themselves at a disadvantage. As far as perpetuating myths and misconceptions, the horse is already out of the barn. Fans, players, and coaches have already been influenced by their exposure to these and their stance on the rules or plays in question isn't going to change until they actually read the rule book. Since we all know that is going to happen, worrying about the myths and misconceptions these people hold is a complete waste of time and energy.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by johnny d

Since we all know that is going to happen, worrying about the myths and misconceptions these people hold is a complete waste of time and energy.

Absolutely.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by johnny d

I have to agree with JRut on this one. In the middle of a game it isn't my responsibility to conduct a rules clinic for the players and coaches. I use spot throw-in rather than don't move. If the player and or coach, because of their lack of rule knowledge, takes that to mean they cannot move that is their problem, not mine. They will figure it out eventually or continue to put themselves at a disadvantage. As far as perpetuating myths and misconceptions, the horse is already out of the barn. Fans, players, and coaches have already been influenced by their exposure to these and their stance on the rules or plays in question isn't going to change until they actually read the rule book. Since we all know that is going to happen, worrying about the myths and misconceptions these people hold is a complete waste of time and energy.

Difference is, you're not saying "don't move."

I say, "this is your spot."

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Adam

Difference is, you're not saying "don't move."

I say, "this is your spot."

So what is the difference in what you are telling them? Does a player stay their like a statue? Do they know what spot they have? Do they know what that means? Seriously, what are they getting out of your words they think they cannot do?

Peace

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

So what is the difference in what you are telling them? Does a player stay their like a statue? Do they know what spot they have? Do they know what that means? Seriously, what are they getting out of your words they think they cannot do?

Peace

As has been said, you're not giving a rules clinic. If they want to know what the spot is, they can find out but at least they're not getting misled into believing they can't move. In fact, they can legally move and move a lot....forwards and backwards. Why are you telling them to not do something they are permitted to do?

If you're going to tell players anything, at least make the effort to make your statements accurate. It is OK if the statement is incomplete, just avoid things that are contrary to the truth.

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

As has been said, you're not giving a rules clinic. If they want to know what the spot is, they can find out but at least they're not getting misled into believing they can't move. In fact, they can legally move and move a lot....forwards and backwards. Why are you telling them to not do something they are permitted to do?

If you're going to tell players anything, at least make the effort to make your statements accurate. It is OK if the statement is incomplete, just avoid things that are contrary to the truth.

Respectfully throwing it out there... How about "You've got 36 inches (or 3 feet) wide and all the way back"? JRut, whaddaya think? (Again respectfully)

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rooster

Respectfully throwing it out there... How about "You've got 36 inches (or 3 feet) wide and all the way back"? JRut, whaddaya think? (Again respectfully)

If you want to be accurate then yes. Otherwise when you say 32 inches, they really will be confused.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rooster

How about "You've got 36 inches (or 3 feet) wide and all the way back"?

Rooster: Without a smilie, I can't tell if your serious, or trying to be funny, or sarcastic, or what? In any case, I don't like your idea. This sounds like the rules clinic that JRutledge is trying to avoid, and something that, I think, JRutledge, and I, can agree upon 100%.

Plus, only one foot has to remain over the thirty-six inch area, there is actually quite a bit of movement allowed on a designated spot throwin. Get out your tape measure and give it a try.

[BillyMac]

Now let's discuss baseline, and endline. I think that the fire needs more gasoline.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

As has been said, you're not giving a rules clinic. If they want to know what the spot is, they can find out but at least they're not getting misled into believing they can't move. In fact, they can legally move and move a lot....forwards and backwards. Why are you telling them to not do something they are permitted to do?

If you're going to tell players anything, at least make the effort to make your statements accurate. It is OK if the statement is incomplete, just avoid things that are contrary to the truth.

Again, I think telling them "Don't move" tells them what they cannot do, which is what many of them might think they can do. And that is run the end line. And if you tell them spot, they are not going to know if they can move forward or backward, so is that incorrect too?

I just find this as extremely splitting hairs. Even if you say "You have a Designated spot" they still are likely not to have any idea what you said to them. After all sports and rules definitions are not the same as real life or world definitions.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Again, And if you tell them spot, they are not going to know if they can move forward or backward, so is that incorrect too?

I just find this as extremely splitting hairs.

If you tell them spot, that should tell them it is a spot throw-in and they cannot run the line. What they don't know after that is not our concern.

I agree this is splitting hairs.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

If you tell them spot, that should tell them it is a spot throw-in and they cannot run the line. What they don't know after that is not our concern.

I agree this is splitting hairs.

Well isn't "spot" not a complete description of the rule? After all it is a "Designated Spot" not a "Spot" throw-in. And if you tell them spot, do they know what that means?

That is why it is spitting hairs because when you tell them "Don't move" they know they do not have the ability to "run." I consider most of this considerably shallow and silly. And I would not care either way if it works for someone to communicate to a player or coach.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

So what is the difference in what you are telling them? Does a player stay their like a statue? Do they know what spot they have? Do they know what that meanps? Seriously, what are they getting out of your words they think they cannot do?

Peace

It tells thyem they can't run the endline. It's accurate rule terminology.

Use what you want, obviously it's working well enough for you.

It's just like 'on the floor' IMO, in that the vast majority of the time it gets the right message across, but it's incorrect and potentially exacerbates already problematic rule myths.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by johnny d

I use spot throw-in rather than don't move.

Sounds like you agree with me, otherwise you would say, "Don't move". After all, according to some Forum members, both statements mean the same thing, with, "Spot throw-in", being much too complex for player's brain to handle without the official conducting an "on the spot" rules clinic (pun intended).