What part of NFHS 9-5-1 is confusing?
"No player shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner once the game officials assume authority for the contest. Examples are, but not limited to:
a. Baiting or taunting acts or words or insignia worn which ]engenders ill will. (NOTE: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances.)" (NFHS: 9-5-1-a)
NFHS football rules regulate Interscholastic level athletic events involving children of pre teen and teen age years. Allowing incremental examples of inappropriate behavior to be ignored, unchallenged or where circumstances call for immediate penalty, can ONLY be reasonably expected to ENCOURAGE repeat behavior.
"Preventive officiating facilitates the smooth conduct of a game within the rules. The good official, by actions and/or words, can frequently prevent certain fouls from happening.... so does a competent game official keep the game moving, using using accepted methods to maintain a safe contest while maintaining competitive fairness." (2018-19 Football Game Officials Manual, Basic Philosophy & Principles)
Monitoring and quickly engaging to interrupt &/or stop efforts to Bait, Taunt or otherwise insult or embarrass opponents attempting initial acts of unsportsmanlike behavior can be an effective and productive means of limiting such behavior and avoiding penalty consequences IN THE JUDGMENT OF COVERING OFFICIALS observing a specific incident & behavior. It is NOT an entitlement for subsequent, retaliatory or additional incidences which should be judged separately & individually.
Common Sense IS one of the most important attributes of a football game official.