October 2007
There are
only a few minor rules changes this year, although an “editorial” change from
2003-04 has recently been found to have a significant impact. There have also
been a couple of mechanics changes which should help to simplify our lives here
in NJ.
There will be no penalties for failure to wear white. This
was the year that the home team (at the varsity level) was to be required to
wear white. Because of budgetary worries the NFHS has decided to forego
penalizing teams that do not comply. Instead we are to notify Carol Parsons at
NJSIAA if we encounter any VARSITY team not wearing white. Fax #
1-609-259-3047. Email is cparsons@njsiaa.org.
So we
won’t be starting any games with 10 foul shots (Despite case book play 3.4.6).
All warning horns
will be at 15 seconds before the end of the timeout etc. This also
applies to the interval for a required substitution (i.e. 5 fouls), which has
been shortened to 20 seconds from 30. The order of events is this: 1) inform
coach, 2) get timer to start the clock, and 3) inform the kid if necessary. (The
warning horn will no doubt sound while you are doing 3). This does not mean that
teams cannot have a brief conference with their coaches, provided they are back
within 20 seconds. We are still to remind the team huddles at the sounding of
the warning horn as before.
Two of the mechanics changes are blessings. First, everybody
who calls a foul, including all NCAA officials, will go opposite the
table this season. This should eliminate having to work a high school game with
someone who insists on going table-side. If you need a word of explanation to a
coach on a particular call there should be a few seconds after you report to
offer a concise explanation.
The second change is that all manuals for 2 person teams specify
that during timeouts and intermissions one official will stand at the spot where
play will be resumed and the other at mid-court. This has been adopted by NFHS
as recommended by IAABO last year. This should clarify things for coaches and
promote uniformity among us.
As a footnote, on the rare occasion when you must leave a
throw-in spot, you may put the ball on the floor, provided it is not
dangerous to do so. This should almost never be necessary.
New signal. A signal has been added (spread arms) to tell the
world that you are not making a 5 second closely guarded count. The intention is
that officials will use this signal only when the situation is not obvious.
In a minor change, the referee can now appoint an umpire to make the
toss if he/she chooses. The R must still handle the throw-ins to start the
succeeding periods.
A throw-in now ends when the ball is legally touched on
the court. Adding “legally” made the rule the same as the NCAA, and was
intended to clarify that an AP throw-in was not used up if a defender kicked a
throw-in before it was touched legally. In that case the throw-in team gets
another throw-in at the line nearest the kick AND KEEPS THE ARROW because its AP
throw-in was not completed.
New cases clarify that the exemptions from committing a
backcourt violation were restricted by an “editorial” change in 2003-04. In
the course of rewriting rule 9.9 to be more concise the phrase after a
throw-in or jump ball was changed to during a throw-in . . . Both
actions end when the ball is legally touched (not controlled) on the court.
Thus, if a defender tips a TI made from near mid court, and an offensive player
leaps from front court, catches the ball and lands in back court, it is a
violation. The throw-in was over when the ball was tipped so the regular rules
apply. You remember that if there is no touch the play would be legal. See case
book play 9.9.1 D
The situation may be more likely to occur at the jump ball if the
ball is batted around or bounces off the referee’s head.
We will discuss the points of emphasis at the Randolph meeting.
They don’t seem to change much from year to year since we officials don’t
seem to make much progress in cleaning up the rules committee’s worries.
One POE that got special emphasis is the enforcement of foul lane
line rules. There seems to be general laxity around the country. Remember your
lane line responsibilities. Call the first violation. It will then stop.
From time to time, I will
be posting other plays of interest in Tip's, Tap, or
Try section of the web site. I encourage you to call me
or email (Interpreter@NWNJBOARD168.ORG).
with your experiences, strange plays, and questions so that all members can learn from the
experience of others. I assure you that all situations will remain anonymous. I
hope to hear from many of you as the season progresses. Have a great year.
Bill Kenney
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