Illinois H.S. post-game brawl

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by Adam

MA mandates the handshake be officiated by people with no jurisdiction to do so.

The line itself may not be mandated, but imagine the criticism that would ensue if a coach was to have his team skip it.

Massachusetts does require a handshake in all sports for high school games governed by the MIAA (the state athletic association). It may be suspended by the site manager (usually the athletic director) or game officials "if circumstances so warrant."

This is the what the MIAA says about this:

As always, common sense prevail. If a game official or game site administrator feels that this initiative should not be followed due to concerns which arise during the contest, or with crowd control issues, the handshake protocol may be suspended.

Since 2008, basketball officials have been required to monitor the handshake. If there is a fight or other unsporting behavior, we have no authority to penalize it as part of the game that just finished, but are required to write a report and penalize it under MIAA rules (which include subsequent game suspensions, etc.)

I don't know how many times the handshake has been "suspended" or how many times officials have written these reports in the last five years....but it is so common (and so civil) now that no official thinks twice about it any more.