BASKETBALL MEMO #1

NOVEMBER 27, 2007

With about ten days of competition already completed, it appears our season is off to a positive start. Most schools have now played their first game and some schools have played as many as four games already. The best news is that we have had no ejections reported so far. In light of having a new bench decorum rule, this is especially good news. I think we have now pretty much worked through the braces, sleeves, straps issue and seem to have everyone at a point of understanding what is OK and what needs written permission from our office---anyway I have now written over thirty waivers for various situations. As always, most of the early season questions have dealt with the headband versus hair device rule plus some bench decorum questions.

BRACES/STRAPS/SLEEVES---A normal knee or ankle brace does not require any special permission or doctor’s statement. Just remember that any exposed hinge must be covered---that could include a sleeve or pad, tape, pre-wrap, or a plastic cap. Knee pads are perfectly legal. A sleeve worn over the knee or thigh is legal and needs no special permission. The situations needing special permission and a doctor’s statement include a bicep band, knee straps, and any sleeve worn on the arm or fingers. We need to know the player’s name and grade, the school, and the equipment needed and the reason. In addition we need a statement from either a doctor or certified trainer stating the medical condition and special equipment needed. Remember that there can be nothing hard from the elbow to the fingertips even if covered or padded. It is legal to have tape, padding, foam, etc---but there can be nothing hard included. I will do my best to get the waiver letter faxed back to the school the same day I receive it----but don’t fax it at 4:00 and expect an immediate response.

BEADS---Beads are hard in nature and thus illegal regardless where they are located. Coaches---do not allow your players to place beads in their shoestrings.

OBSCENE LANGUAGE---A technical foul shall be assessed anytime an official hears a coach use profanity during a game-----even if not directed at the official. Obscene language is not accepted in a teacher’s classroom----the gym becomes a coach’s classroom and is an extension of the educational setting so the use of profanity is simply unacceptable. Coaches need to realize it is not OK to swear at their own players!

HEADBANDS---The only headband that we recognize is the stretchy cloth band, normally about 1 ½-2 inches wide worn around the forehead and back of the head. It may have a manufacturer’s logo OR a team or mascot logo. The headband must be either the color of the uniform jersey or white and must be the same color for all players on that team choosing to wear them.

HAIR DEVICES---Everything else worn in the hair or on the head is considered as a hair device. This could include ribbons, rubber bands, scrunchies, elastic shoestrings, pre-wrap, etc. The only restrictions are that it must be soft and unadorned. There can be nothing hard in the hair. Unadorned means that there are no pictures, initials, numbers, polka dots, basketballs, etc. Any color/multi-color is legal. The color can vary from one player to another.

We have attempted to be as liberal as possible for the player’s sake and at the same time make it as easy for officials to monitor and enforce. Officials---don’t make it more difficult than it needs to be. If it is the cloth headband, then it is the color of the jersey or white and all players wear the same color. Everything else is considered as a hair device and you don’t worry about color---only that it is soft and unadorned.

WHO MAY PRACTICE WITH YOUR TEAM---Students from your school and certified coaching personnel are the only individuals who may participate in a practice. Alumni, students from other schools, community members, etc. may not participate in a school-sponsored practice. Many times, former players are home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or semester break and stop by and want to work out or scrimmage with your team. THAT IS ILLEGAL AND SIMPLY NOT ALLOWED. Watching practice from a bleacher seat is permissible subject to your local school administration---but participating in any manner is prohibited. You just have to be assertive and say NO!

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER LIMITATION---A player has the same game limit as her team (normally 21 games). On a calendar day, if a girl plays in 1-2 quarters it does not count as anything. If she plays in 3-6 quarters, it counts as one game. If she plays in 7-8 quarters, it counts as two games. Junior high players are allowed a maximum of five quarters per day.

BENCH DECORUM---Coaches and officials are to be commended for making the transition to the new bench decorum rule take place in a positive and workable manner. Sometimes breaking old habits like having been allowed to stand during the entire game for a lot of years is not easy to change. One veteran coach indicated that it was more difficult than he had originally thought. He said he caught himself standing several times while the clock was running---but quickly realized (with a little prompting from his assistant coach) and immediately sat down. Officials have been doing a nice job of gently reminding coaches when necessary. As we progress further into the season, I’m sure officials will become less tolerant and expect coaches to abide without continued warnings or reminders.

Reminder---one coach is allowed to be up coaching during a dead clock situation. It does not matter which coach---it does not have to be the head coach. The coaching or instructing of players shall be from directly in front of where that coach was sitting prior to getting up. It is permissible for the coach to then sit in a different spot as long as he/she is there when the clock starts. However the intent is not for coaches to be moving constantly. As earlier mentioned, everyone seems to be making a genuine effort to make the new rule work.

RECOMMENDATION OF OFFICIALS---Varsity coaches will be required to submit the names of up to twelve officials whom they feel are deserving of tournament assignments on-line at the conclusion of the season. It is permissible to recommend officials who did not actually work one of your games but you may have seen them while scouting, at a tournament game, etc. Coaches will also be allowed to submit the names of up to three “up and coming” officials who we need to keep our eye on for future assignments.

TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS---We will be working on the pairings during the month of December. Hopefully teams will have played several games by then which should provide some guidance in allowing us to split up the power as best possible geographically. We intend to post the pairings during Christmas vacation.

OFFICIALS’ TOURNAMENT ASSIGNMENTS---We will then begin making all district and regional tournament assignments when we return following Christmas vacation. It normally takes one week to make all assignments, one week to generate the contracts, and one week for the mail delivery to take place. Hopefully the officials have done a better job than in other sports of being accurate with the dates they are available and any conflicts so there will not be so many changes to make. Coaches---remember that if there is an official(s) that you do not want assigned for your tournament games, I need a letter from your school stating such and signed by an administrator by December 31.

Have a great season and joyous holiday.

Mike Dick

Associate Director