Mandatory warm-up period

Originally Posted by mbyron

I disagree, Brent. NFHS wants a warm up period, but I believe that they'll leave the implementation of that to the states. There's a lot of variability around half-time -- a band or two, other ceremonies, etc. -- a lot of variability about how far teams have to go between locker room and field, different facility sizes, etc. Unlike insisting on certain enforcements during the game, they'll leave this issue to the states, IMO.

Believe me...this isn't a problem around here. Crews do flag for USC when the bands don't get off the field before the halftime clock expire, or if halftime is extended because of the inability to complete their activities before the clock expires.

And this is our problem how? The teams have some responsibities. When someone talks about variables, they start to sound like my dean, who thinks we have to bottle-feed our college students, some who are the same age as us.

[mbyron]

Well, you're making my point. I've never heard of a slow band earning a flag around here.

I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I'm saying that NFHS picks its battles, and IMO they will let states decide how to enforce the warmup.

[wisref2]

Thanks all for your feedback. Decided it's not a fight I'm willing to fight, so we'll just do like the state says. Though I'm sure it will be a point of discussion next year (the "interpretation" was published the last week of the regular season). Though I'll send something to the officials advisory committee.

Though I agree with many, don't understand how "immediately after the half time intermission expires" could result in so many different interpretations!!!

I'm tempted to ask a coach to stay off the field for an hour and see what happens. Heck, it's only a 15-yard penalty.