Play of the ball rewrite

[LaxRef]

Bold text is new. Deleted text is marked.

RULE 4 SECTION 5 Play of the ball

The following definitions shall prevail in play of the ball:

ART. 7 . . . Ball in flight - A ball in flight from one teammate to another is a ball in possession if the ball is caught by a teammate.

(delete ->NOTE: When the ball is in flight (pass) as the period ends during an extra-man situation, the team that threw the pass is ruled to have been in possession during the flight of the ball provided the ball is caught. <- delete)

ART. 9 . . . Shot - A ball propelled toward the goal by an offensive player with the intent of scoring, either by being thrown from a crosse, kicked or otherwise physically directed, as judged by the official.

[tjslax]

I like the changes here

[CoachRob]

Why delete the note? I would keep it and add:

NOTE: When the ball is in flight (pass) as the period ends during an extra-man situation, the team that threw the pass is ruled to have been in possession during the flight of the ball provided the ball is caught. If the pass is dropped or is caught by the opposing team after the period ends (horn sounds), it shall be ruled a loose ball for purposes of possession.

This came up in a game, where the official was going to award the ball to our opponent who intercepted our pass after the horn sounded. This clarifies this issue.

[zebra618]

I prefer leaving the note, and adding Coach Rob's bold edit.

[LaxRef]

Why delete the note? I would keep it and add:

NOTE: When the ball is in flight (pass) as the period ends during an extra-man situation, the team that threw the pass is ruled to have been in possession during the flight of the ball provided the ball is caught. If the pass is dropped or is caught by the opposing team after the period ends (horn sounds), it shall be ruled a loose ball for purposes of possession.

This came up in a game, where the official was going to award the ball to our opponent who intercepted our pass after the horn sounded. This clarifies this issue.

There are a few issues here. The most obvious is that it would bring it in line with NCAA.

But more important is that there's this long list of A.R.s that result from the "ball in flight caught after horn is in possession if caught by the same team" and related confusion when life is much simpler--and no less fair--if you just rule a ball in flight at the horn to be loose.

I mean, think about it: if the team can throw a pass just before the horn, they can just as easily hold onto the ball if they want to and maintain possession.

[pboyd]

Rule 4-5 ART 7 and associated Note need to go away. A.R.'s 4.14 SIT J and K also need to be deleted and we need to get back to the "2/2/1" rule of thumb for counts starting with a goalie save and start of clear situation.

[LaxRef]

Rule 4-5 ART 7 and associated Note need to go away. A.R.'s 4.14 SIT J and K also need to be deleted and we need to get back to the "2/2/1" rule of thumb for counts starting with a goalie save and start of clear situation.

I think a ball in flight (not at the horn) should be in possession if caught, since otherwise a technical foul during a pass goes completely unpenalize. A1 throws the ball, Coach B commits a conduct foul, then A2 catches it: if the ball in flight isn't in possession, there's no way to penalize it.

Now if you do it the current NFHS (annd former NCAA) way, it's a play-on, with possession awarded if A2 doesn't catch the ball and a flag thrown if he does. I think that's much fairer.

As for J and K, I'd like to see them go with the NCAA rule of "you are where you jumped from (unless it was the attack area)".

What the heck is the 2/2/1 rule?

[pboyd]

Take away all the variety of interpretations - we teach the following for NFHS Rules pertaining to starting/stopping counts.
2/2/1 Scenario: Goalie makes save. 10-sec count starts and doesn't stop until clearing player has "2" feet on the ground outside the defensive-area line. New count starts when clearing player has "2" feet on the ground over the center line in the offensive side of the field. The count ends when "1" foot touches or steps in goals area. 2/2/1 . BTW: I got a good laugh when you caught my 2-sec clear - thanks for the easy let down and I do enjoy the game more with the 20-sec clear.