They allowed it in "Hoosiers"
 

Officiating MS game when player of visitor team fouls out leaving only 4 players. Visitor coach calls time out; home head coach motions me over and asks "Can I pull one of my players out to make the game fair ?". I explain to the coach if he has 5 available players then he has to play 5. He then says " They allowed it in Hoosier's ",,,,,,,,, I thought he was making a joke. I smiled and said well, they may have but we can't do it today. He looks at me and says " Really...... they allowed it in Hoosier's , why can't I do it ?" . I then realize he is serious (this is the Varsity boys coach) and say " Coach, that is a movie and you must play 5 if you have 5 available to play ". Play resumes and I notice he's telling the opposing coach " I tried to play 4 but they wouldn't let me ".

Wow ................Varsity coach . I just shook my head.

You could tell him, in the spirit of fair play that he was trying to display, that his 5th player didn't actually have to do anything but stand inbounds.

Sorry, forgot to state in original... When I told him he had to play 5 if 5 available , I explained the player could just stand inbounds if he wanted but he did not want to do that. I was sympathetic to his intent and stated " I understand your situation" but if 5 available then 5 are on the court . I was surprised he didn't know the rule as he was the Varsity coach.

You'll stop being surprised. ;)

I'm not surprised he didn't know the rule.

I'm surprised he thought a 30 year old movie about a game that took place 60 years ago was a valid source for rules knowledge.

Padgett and I would have made him them play with five back then. :D

MTD, Sr.

I am not even surprised by that fact. ;)

Peace