Ejection Prior to Game Start

[eme]

NFHS and NCAA rules, please.

Officials are on the field of play 15 minutes before game time start.
A1 is ejected at that time for some unspeakable malfeasance.
Since the game has not officially started, does B1 get the ball at center X to start the game up a man for 3 min. NR?

[LaxRef]

If you can get a 3:00 NR penalty before the opening whistle for illegal goals, why wouldn't you be able to for USC or FM?

[Shorelax]

LR's point makes sense.

Did you have a real life situation...or just pondering the rule book?

[Longpole5435]

No harm, no foul...
Why penalize Team A because one of their players makes a bonehead move before the game?
I say face 'em off normally and watch out for chippy stuff.

[CardinalPuff]

A1, facing off, lines up in the neutral zone before the whistle to start the game......we award to Team B even though the game has begun, right?

[LaxRef]

No harm, no foul...
Why penalize Team A because one of their players makes a bonehead move before the game?
I say face 'em off normally and watch out for chippy stuff.

Because the officials have jurisdiction once they arrive at the game site. Why should Team A not get penalize if A1 punches someone from team B before the game? :thinking:

[Shorelax]

A1, facing off, lines up in the neutral zone before the whistle to start the game......we award to Team B even though the game has begun, right?

CP - that’s a stretch and IMO does not fall within the "unspeakable malfeasance" EME described. It is true you can issue a USC if a player repeatedly commits the same technical.

The situation you are describing would be the first of such instances.


I think LR hits on the head in his posting above. A1 punches B1 before the game or fouls of this magnitude.

[Shorelax]

I was unable to edit my post...

What would the list of "unspeakable malfeasance" type fouls include?

1. Fighting
2. Taunting
3. What about the use of tobacco products??

I would think a coach would readily fix any field related issues described previously.

[3rdPersonPlural]

A1, facing off, lines up in the neutral zone before the whistle to start the game......we award to Team B even though the game has begun, right?

That should be 'hasn't', Puffy.

Despite playing fast and loose with the queens english, Puff has a point. I don't think that anyone would argue that refs don't have their authority in place from the line up onwards, and LR makes a good point that field and equipment issues fall under our jurisdiction immediately.

How about A! is taunting and trying to start a fistfight during line drills? Do I have the authority to sit A1 for an USC or is it a coaches/league administrator's problem at that point?

[LaxRef]

How about A! is taunting and trying to start a fistfight during line drills? Do I have the authority to sit A1 for an USC or is it a coaches/league administrator's problem at that point?

Absolutely. Once you step onto the field you have jurisdiction.

One game, one of the players was loudly bragging about his sexual conquests in graphic detail, using colorful language and was loud enough for anyone around to hear, including spectators. He sat the first few minutes of the game.

[CardinalPuff]

all i'm saying is if officials can call a violation microseconds before the game begins why not a minute before? or two minutes? or ten minutes?

[Beacher]

To echo Laxref's sentiments, if you're on the field you're responsible - so you certainly have the ability to assess penalties.
ILF rules say "The authority of the referees shall begin with their appearance on the field of play and terminate upon the completion of the game." Canadian box lacrosse rules specify referees' jurisdiction as starting 15 minutes to game time, and ending when both teams have entered their dressing rooms after the game."
I'm inclined to take all this literally, because if you don't exercise your authority then who else is responsible? If a serious foul like fighting occurs before the opening whistle and you decide you're not responsible for it what is your remedy? Do you call the police to report an assault?

[laxzeeb]

If it is mouthing off prior to the game I'd just tell them to knock it off and inform the coach unless it is very serious and potentially escalating. Of course at that point you know what you are in for the rest of the game and you act accordingly. Obviously if it is physical actions such as fighting then you'd have to enforce it just as you would issues with field and equipment. Hopefully you never see that in an NFHS level game, or any other.