Requesting a defensive matchup
 

NFHS rules. I was watching a 5th grade girls travel game the other day and one team substituted all 5 every few minutes. The team I was there to watch almost always took a couple defensive possessions before figuring out who they had.

I know a captain can request a defensive matchup on >= 3 subs.

Can the coach also request a defensive matchup, or does he have to tell the captain to do it? Secondly, if the captain is on the bench, is he/she still the only one that can request a defensive matchup? Thanks.

I do not have my rulebook right in front of me, but my understanding is the coach or the captain can make this request. I really do not care how they do it, as long as they let us know so we can give them an extra couple seconds to do this.

Peace

3-3-1 e A Captain may request a defensive match up ….

So I would be inclined to let the captain make the request if he is on the bench. However, telling the coach he can't will be fun.

I'm not telling the coach he can't request it. At that level, you may not even have captains.

If the coach just stands up and says "Hey girls -- point at who you are guarding" the referee won't (well, shouldn't) put the ball in play until it's all straightened out.

Since I have only had this happen like once in my entire career, I think if a coach requests this, I would not be quick to put the ball in play any quicker than I usually do. Why cause a problem when you do not have to?

Peace

Back when I was coaching I would request a Defensive Match-up whenever our opponent brought in 3 or more subs even if we where not in a man to man defense.

There is no reason not to grant any players or coaches request for a match-up in this situation.

I've always been granted the request, when I asked. But, I was curious, and looked up the rule and it only said the captain can request it. I guess I'll keep requesting it, until an official tells me "You're not the captain".

It's a relic rule from an age where captains had more significance than they do now.

When they tell you that just respond with this.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dvA-mimf2yg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I Know, I'm A Bad Boy ...
 

Only the "speaking captain", the one who, during the pregame conference, was identified, showed you his uniform number, and told you that he was starting, can request the match up.

Also, remember, it's the blue line all the way around.

Please correct me if I am wrong but wasn't this rule omitted from the book and made a re-appearance 7-8 years ago?

Give That Man A Cigar ...
 

You are, indeed, correct. Somebody at the NFHS dropped the ball for a few years.