Football Early Season Reminders from Mark at NCHSAA
- Taunting
and Baiting – If the action is “TO OR TOWARDS AN OPPONENT”, then this
constitutes taunting. The dive into the end zone, spiking the ball,
shooting it over the crossbar, etc. are automatic ejections. If the
player runs into the end zone or down the field and points and/or
shakes the ball at the opponent, this is an ejection for taunting. An
example of an unsporting foul that should be penalized but is not an
ejection could be waving the “I’m #1” finger in the air as he
scores….could be interpreted as unsporting and not directed at the
opponent…see the play, process the play, and make the correct
interpretation/call.
- Unsporting
equipment – examples are excessive eye-black all over the face (do not
let play until this is removed), the towel hanging down with black tape
on it to look like a tiger tail, wrist bands on the biceps or
calves…any piece of equipment not designed for football playing
purposes. By rule the wrist band is allowed as long as it does not
extend more than three (3) inches from the base of the thumb.
- Arm
pads & wrist bands – a pad on the forearm is legal. The band that
has plays on them (sometimes with a flap) is legal. Excessive wrist
bands extending too far up the forearm are not legal.
- McDavid
Girdle pads – these are a one-piece pantlike piece of equipment that
have bubble thigh pads, hip pads, and butt pad interwoven into the
girdle…these don’t provide much protection but are legal at this
time…we may have some manufacturer’s specifications in the future to
further guide us. But, if at any time you don’t think appropriate
protection is being provided, it is up to the Umpire to judge on the
legality of the equipment.
- Sideline
Control – don’t get lazy with this. There are safety and rule code
justifications for due diligence being given to the enforcement of
three (3), and ONLY 3, coaches allowed between the 2-yard restraining
line and the sideline within the confines of the Coaches Box extending
from the 25-yardline to the 25-yardline.
- Communication – this is where we can “shine” with the coaches. Be positive, direct, professional to the staff. Answer questions…do not respond to statements. If it gets close to “crossing the line”, first give the stop sign directing that we are at a threshold of what we will listen to…if it doesn’t lessen, penalize appropriately….REMEMBER, when we give a sideline warning that we are to drop the flag…this will go a long way in accomplishing the positive communication we need/want with the sideline(s).
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