5 Point Coaches Certification plus other pregame talks

[Shoelessjoe]

Can anyone tell me the wording they use for the 5 point coaches certification. Plus what do you like to say when you call the captains and the teams out for the pre game speech and hand shake.

[Woodenstick]

The NFHS rule 1-11 states that "the head coach shall certify to the referee before the game that all players are properly equipped and that all required equipment will be worn properly, including [a through e subpoints]."

So I ask the coach to certify that "all players are properly equipped and that all required equipment will be worn properly." In my view this encompasses the subpoints a-e and therefore I do not need to repeat them. If the coach asks what do I mean (which happens occasionally at the beginning of the season) I will go through the subpoints for him. I have a card that lists them so I don't try to do this from memory.

For the captains, I usually have a brief discussion of any special ground rules, the role of the captain and good sportsmanship, then toss the coin.

Special ground rules include which lines we are using (turf field), if there is no horn, the coaches have to yell "horn", and modifications to the rules made by the league (for example, youth leagues have no take-out checks etc.).

In my experience, many refs do a lot less than this, but I love to talk with people....

For the team line-up, I usually tell them to keep their equipment on and mouthpieces in and let me know right away if they have an equipment problem. I may repeat any special ground rules. I have heard other refs say something to the effect that the players play and the refs make the calls.

This is the official stuff, I usually try to add some personal touches along the way.

[shrekjr]

"Coach, are all players equiped by rule?"

[MElaxRef]

NFHS wants us to mention sportsmanship, so, I ask the captains to take responsibility for teammates who may be starting to lose control.