I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion on social media about how states differ regarding guidelines, interpretations, policies, and uniform rules. I want to offer this for consideration:
On the first page of the NFHS Rules Book, in the black box, first paragraph, the last sentence says, “Member associations of the NFHS independently make decisions regarding compliance with or modification of these playing rules for the student-athletes in their respective states.”
This means each state association can modify rules to be less or more restrictive.
If a state association is less restrictive, it doesn’t mean it is ignoring a rule. Each state has the right to make modification decisions. If we survey officials from each of the 49 NFHS states and the District of Columbia, I’m sure we’ll find a full spectrum of interpretations. And there is nothing wrong with that.
It doesn’t make sense to become angry or indignant when we read about another state’s rule interpretation or watch a video and see a player’s pants end above the knee. We don’t officiate in that state, so why do we spend emotional bandwidth worrying about it?
In my opinion, we should focus on consistency within our crew, association, and state. If the state wants us to send players off if they don’t comply with pant length, we must do that. If our state wants us to award a USC penalty to a head coach for repeated violations (and possibly eject the head coach), we must do that. If the state association wants us to continually instruct the players to pull their pants over their knees (but not send off the players), we must do that. It’s our job to fully understand our state’s Rules Book modifications and interpretations, and we should follow our state’s clear guidance on an issue.
We become inconsistent when we act solely based on our personal beliefs and convictions. We must follow our state association’s decisions regardless of our personal opinions. Our individual opinions and interpretations can’t override the state association’s instructions. We can’t have different interpretations from one week to the next. That’s what frustrates the coaches. Our coaches deserve consistency (as much as we can provide) from one game to the next.
Obviously, we can’t be the Borg (from Star Trek) and perfectly match our colleagues. Officiating is a human endeavor; we all have personal opinions, judgment, and philosophies. But as much as we are able, we must align our actions with our state’s modification decisions. If our state is silent on a matter, we enforce NFHS standards. If our state has somehow modified the NFHS Rules Book, we need to follow our state’s standard.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
Free kick from the K-40. The kick is short and high (“pooch” kick). While the ball is in the air, K57 bumps receiver R8 at the R-35. The ball then hits R8 and is recovered by K15 at the R-40.
- 1/10 for Team R at the R-35
- 1/10 for Team R at the K-45
- 1/10 for Team R at midfield
- 1/10 for Team K at the R-40
Review Rule 6-5-6 PENALTY