OK, what are . . .

[voiceoflg]

. . . your three least favorite "National Federation of High Schools" rules? (shamelessly stolen from the baseball forum)

If you'd like, list the rule and why you do not like it.

[Jim D]

Sideline Rule - Before this rule I was able to manage the sideline just fine. Now I have to spend way too much time making sure that the coaches comply with the rule, which takes my attention away from the field. As long as they keep out of my way, I don't really care how many coaches are in the box.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by Jim D

Sideline Rule - Before this rule I was able to manage the sideline just fine. Now I have to spend way too much time making sure that the coaches comply with the rule, which takes my attention away from the field. As long as they keep out of my way, I don't really care how many coaches are in the box.

Just wait until you have a collision with who is out of the way. A turnover going the other way and now these coaches are in the way but don't realize it and neither do you until you run into them. Had they been back before the play began you wouldn't have to worry about them. A coach in Texas is now disabled due to that and a lawsuit is currently in the courts because of that collision.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

Just wait until you have a collision with who is out of the way. A turnover going the other way and now these coaches are in the way but don't realize it and neither do you until you run into them. Had they been back before the play began you wouldn't have to worry about them. A coach in Texas is now disabled due to that and a lawsuit is currently in the courts because of that collision.

As I said, I never had a problem before this rule was added. I kept the coaches back and had no problems. Coaches never were allowed on the field before this rule so I don't see a saftey advantage.

I don't know the specifics of the case in Texas but if he was on the playing field when he was hit, this rule didn't help him. If he was in the coaches box when he was hit, this rule didn't help him either so I don't see how that point is valid.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by Jim D

As I said, I never had a problem before this rule was added. I kept the coaches back and had no problems. Coaches never were allowed on the field before this rule so I don't see a saftey advantage.

I don't know the specifics of the case in Texas but if he was on the playing field when he was hit, this rule didn't help him. If he was in the coaches box when he was hit, this rule didn't help him either so I don't see how that point is valid.

The coaches box in Texas is 6 ft from the sideline. The area in front of the coaches box is restricted area and that is where the coach was. If we are not enforcing the rule then we are liable. I do understand though that the NF rules may be different in regards to a coaching box in comparison to NCAA rules. I was just posting that we must keep the coaches back and enforce whatever the rule for whatever level we work due to safety to not only us, but to players and coaches as well.

[Texas Aggie]

If we are not enforcing the rule then we are liable.

Jason, we aren't liable in a legal sense if someone gets injured, unless we are (probably grossly) negligent. You almost have to tell a coach something like, "stand here, and you won't get hurt; I promise" to be held negligent. The problem with someone asserting you didn't enforce a rule is, how do you define "enforce?" Is telling them once to get back enough? Do you have to physically push them back, and if so, every time they come out? Do you have to throw sideline warning, then infraction, flags on EVERY play they don't stay back on? Are they OK coming out on plays that don't end on their sideline?

There's a thousand questions to answer just like that. The bottom line is take care of business. If you need to warn, warn. If you need to flag, for either a warning or later for a foul, do so. But if a coach thinks they can sue an official for not enforcing a rule that coach broke, then they're crazy. That suit won't go anywhere in Texas.

[BoBo]

1. Offensive Pass Interference: change to either 5 yards and loss of down from the previous spot or 15 yards and repeat down from previous spot

2. Defensive Encroachment: Allow the defense to get back onsides. (if they jump they can get back)

3. Person Foul or Unsportsmanlike Foul on team being scored on: The scoring team should be allowed to take the enforcement of the yardage either on the PAT (as it is now) or on the following kickoff/free kick.

[Forksref]

1) Have the field marked so that there is the two yard NO MANS LAND in front of the coaches box. We finally got the chain crew back, so let's keep the coaches back behind them. If the stadium is too narrow, then so be it. But, make it mandatory on fields that are wide enough to accomodate it. It works for NCAA, so why not for FED?

2) Uncatchable pass.

[Ref inSoCA]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

. . . your three least favorite "National Federation of High Schools" rules? (shamelessly stolen from the baseball forum)

If you'd like, list the rule and why you do not like it.

1. Dead End zones

2. Timing rules

#3 has already been fixed--PSK

[Mike L]

#1 - Kicks into the end-zone are dead. I can't tell you how many times we had games where one side has a kicker that puts it in every time. zzzzzz.

#2 - PI even on uncatchable balls. Like someone else said, is there some advantage gained here?

#3 - Defensive encroachment with no ball snap. Again, if they can get back before the snap, what advantage has been gained? And if they can't get back, we have a live ball foul giving the offense a chance to do something.