Starting this year (2019-20) in addition to the head coach — any number of assistant coaches may enter the court in a situation where a fight MAY break out or HAS broken out — to prevent the situation from escalating.
While this is a great extension to the previous rule the problem still remains WHAT to do when fighting does occur, or when players come off the bench to join the fray.
As part of our “paramedic type training” we’ve compiled a cheat sheet that you can print and pop into your uniform bag that serves as a great pre-game review throughout the season.
This prompter suggests you ask yourself (and the crew) two key questions after a fight occurs.
Were they on the floor participating or did they come off the bench (and participate or not participate)?
Were there a corresponding number of players involved?
Flagrant taunting that causes a player to retaliate by fighting is also considered fighting.
Follow the guide to assess penalties properly.
Remember this when it comes to fighting it is always considered a flagrant act and can occur when the ball is dead or live.
https://youtu.be/UuDZsy_LKcE
Fighting includes, but is not limited to, acts such as: ● An attempt to strike, punch or kick by using a fist, hands, arms, legs or feet regardless of whether contact is made . ● An attempt to instigate a fight by committing an unsporting act that causes a person to retaliate by fighting.
The NFHS rules committee has given power to the assistant coaches so they can help diffuse these situations. Let’s hope it works !!
New Jersey (NJSIAA) State Basketball Rules Interpreter
IAABO South Jersey Board 196 Basketball Rules Interpreter
ACCSOA Soccer Cadet Supervisor
ECSU (NCAA) Softball Umpire Development Staff
Billy has over 40 years officiating / umpiring experience with basketball, soccer and fast-pitch softball in the Southern New Jersey area. As an IAABO member, rules interpreter, cadet instructor and supervisor of officials – has been refereeing basketball for 40 years and recently started officiating scholastic soccer for the Atlantic – Cape – Cumberland County Officials Association (ACCSOA).
Additionally he is an NCAA umpire for the Eastern Collegiate Softball Umpires Association (ECSU) as well as a scholastic umpire for West (NJ) Chapter 5.
In the business world, Billy has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience, most recently with Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), the industry leader in Customer Relationship Management and marketing tools and now with Medidata / Dassault Systemes (medidata.com)
Billy holds a Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) specializing in Sports Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Technology Management.
He is also the co-author of four Amazon best-selling basketball officiating guides called, “Beyond the Rules” and the “GameTracker Journal.” Billy is also the co-founder of “60 Seconds on Officiating” a destination site for over 100,000 officials in 80 countries worldwide (ref60.com).
Billy resides in Wildwood, NJ and loves boating, fishing, and just about any activity that will leave sand between his toes.
