Substitution procedure

[chapmaja]

I know personally, I am not calling that, provided all other aspects of the substitution were legal. If the sub legally entered the sub zone, was waived onto the court by the R2, then crossed over the line outside the zone, I am not calling that. To me calling that a delay causes more problems than it solves.

My thinking is simple.

1) Did the action in any way delay the game? In this case no.
2) Was the action something that presented a safety concern ( i.e. jewelry)? No.


I would even go so far as to say the issuing of the delay sanctions in fact was the delay to the match, rather than the actions of the substitute.

I would however do some educating of the players involved, even at the varsity level.

Also, I would have to question the actual view the R1 has to make a call like this. For me to call anything with the 10 foot line intersection of the R2's sideline it better be very clear to be an issue occurred. If not I am reserving judgment to the R2.


I personally think any officials who are making that call are to stuck in the rulebook and are out of touch with reality. The rulebook defines the rules, but the officials are the ones who put them into practice. A good official knows how to blend the two.

I've known too many officials who are one of these extremes. Some know every single word in the rulebook, but couldn't put it into practice to save their lives. I've also know too many that are good with the people skills of officiating, but lack the rules knowledge. I have known much fewer who have the knowledge of the rules and have the ability to put them into practice.