Flags in high school
 

We were told at our annual Rules Interprters meeting that Pennsylvania was set to approve the use of flags by line judges starting with the upcoming high school season. The Powers-That-Be have previously prohibitted using flags even after the NFHS made it optional.

Apparently the i's aren't dotted and the t's not crossed yet. The holdup is that they are debating who should supply the flags! Apparently some feel that the school should supply them and some say that the official(s) should bring them. Is it really so hard to say that it doesn't matter? If the school supplies them, fine. If the official brings them, fine. If no one brings them, fine - you don't use any! Isn't that easy?!

In other states, is anyone designated to supply the line judge flags?

Oregon made flag use mandatory last year - the schools are supposed to provide them. That said, I keep a set in my vehicle just in case.....

California does not require use of the flags for its line judges.However lots of official's in my area carry flags with them and when we get those people we use them-otherwise PaRef its just as you say-we use the hand signals.I've found that using the flags improves the quality of lines judges when they are used.It gives the line persons an avenue in which they can get into the game without worrying about mechanics or signals.

As Scal posted, California does not require the use of flags except during the State Championships. Since I referee all three rules sets, I have my own flags that I take with me. If the school has them - great; if they don't, I do.

As was said previously, it doesn't matter who provides the flags. Sounds to me like the powers that be in PA are being overly anal about the whole thing. They seem to have never heard of the "KISS" principal..."Keep It Simple, Stupid!!!!!" They are obviously too busy dotting the t's and crossing the i's! :p :p

Line Judge Flags
 

I agree that the powers in charge are very anal, but in our chapter, we voted to purchase a set of flags for each school we work. After that, it is the schools responsibility to replace/maintain. If the school doesn't have the flags, we will revert back to the hand signals.

Jan,

I agree - it doesn't really matter who provides them. Reminds me of the old saying that a camel is nothing but a horse that's been designed by a committee...

Toolman, similar to the definition of an elephant...a mouse built to government specs!!!! :rolleyes:

Good luck with that :rolleyes:

Now that the flag issue is taken care of....maybe we can get some qualified line judges???? ;)