Getting the ball...

[HokiePaul]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Minority? I have yet to hear anyone advocate this. I would not have been chancing the ball and certainly have never been advocated to do so.

Peace

Well there is my association (at least a couple other members here although I don't know how they feel on this issue) ... and whatever association/board oversees the league featured in this video.

Just to be clear, I'm re-posting the email my association sent ...

"There is no NFHS rule or Association policy that states players are supposed to retrieve a loose ball. It is the responsibility of a member of the crew to retrieve the ball while the other member/s of crew observe the players. Forcing players to retrieve the ball gives the appearance we are lazy or out of shape."

I wouldn't go so far as to say that my association "advocates" that we chase after the ball. Policy simply states that it is ultimatly our responsibility and that we should not direct players to do so. I'm surprised at how strongly some of you oppose this--I don't see it as a big deal either way. We're not expected to go chasing the ball every time it goes out of bounds.

I do think, however, that telling players to go get the ball looks bad. I leave directing players to do things to their coach unless it is specifically addressed in the rules/manual/duties. That's why, for example, we say "you can't play with earrings" instead of "take out your earrings". Directing a player to "take out your earrings" is over-stepping your authority, as is (arguably) directing a player to go get the ball.

In an instance such as the video here, I believe that it looks better for the official to go get the ball as opposed to the alternative (stand there waiting/watching players stand around) or telling one of the players to get it (and overstepping your authority as an official).