Ohio: Legal and Illegal Acts (UNS)

[mbyron]

Thought you gentlemen and ladies would appreciate Ohio's new guidance concerning UNS for 2012.

LEGAL ACTS:
A. Cross GL & simulate a cross on his chest
B. Cross GL & point up to the sky
C. Cross GL & pray for a short time
D. High Fives with teammates
E. Jump & chest bumping with teammates
F. Spontaneous celebration shared with teammates
G. Celebration done in team box area
H. Cross GL & raise a teammate into the air
I. Raising the ball in the air after crossing the GL
J. Players spontaneously jumping on a pile in EZ (not non-players from bench)

ILLEGAL ACTS (UNS):
A. Using profanity, insulting, or vulgar language or gestures
B. Derogatory remarks directed at the officials
C. Signals to the official that he needs to throw his flag
D. One or more backward flips
E. Celebrating by dancing in the EZ or dancing/stomping on Home Team Field Logo(s)
F. Spike FB into ground (unless done legally to conserve time)
G. Dunk or attempt to dunk FB over cross bar
H. Hand or throw the FB to or at an opponent
I. Intentionally fail to place FB on the ground or immediately return it to a nearby official
J. Kick, throw, spin, or carry FB any distance that requires an official to retrieve it
K. Kick FB other than a legal kick
L. Make hand gestures such as choking, throat slashing, pounding one's chest, pointing to his bicep, or pointing a finger like a gun
M. Bow at waist after a good play; signal 1st down; or hand salute to opponent or spectators
N. Strike a pose that is meant to incite or taunt the opponents and/or spectators
O. Point back or wave at an opponent
P. Dive into EZ or alter stride as he approaches his [sic] GL with no opponents nearby (unless he is attempting to consume time late in either half)
Q. Go into stands to interact with spectators
R. Use gestures to encourage crowd with they begin booing officials
S. Teammates engaged in a choreographed display of celebration
T. Stand over player just tackled & point or try to intimidate him
U. Repeatedly punch GP pad with the opponents school name on it
V. Runner turns & taunts an opponent while he crosses GL

[TampaSteve]

interesting.  Is there any disclosure this is not all inclusive, but examples & other actions deemed by the official as UNS will be flagged?

Got to say I really support, UNS, item C.
I've thrown a flag before for that.

[Atlanta Blue]

So if my punter rolls out, crosses the LOS  by a yard and then does a rugby punt, it's not an "Illegal Kick" as described by the rules, it's a UNS penalty?

I understand the intent of the list, but the problem with lists is that some aren't written well, and others think it's an all encompassing list ("Well it wan't on the list, so it can't be an UNS foul!").  But at least they are trying to add some consistency to a very grey area.

[TampaSteve]

More to the point, I have no issues with the Legal Acts listed.
If I remember, wasn't a big OH game decided due to an UNS?
Maybe this is in response...

[mbyron]

More to the point, I have no issues with the Legal Acts listed.
If I remember, wasn't a big OH game decided due to an UNS?
Maybe this is in response...

Bingo. OHSAA is trying to get everyone in the state on the same page ... literally.

[HLinNC]

NC supervisor e-mailed us this list and wishes for us to utilize it in the never ending quest for consistency.

And no, AB, the accidental, yet Illegal rugby kick wouldn't be UNS.  K. was needless as it was covered in J.

[mbyron]

NC supervisor e-mailed us this list and wishes for us to utilize it in the never ending quest for consistency.

Interesting. Once again, "Ohio makes, the world takes!"

[HLinNC]

Now if the Ohio crews would actually enforce some of the uniform violations I watch weekly on STO and FoxSports Ohio......

[mbyron]

Now if the Ohio crews would actually enforce some of the uniform violations I watch weekly on STO and FoxSports Ohio......

Rome wasn't built in a day, amicus meus.

[concordref]

As i said in one of my other post today, this list was generated by our Director of Development of Football Officials only after traveling the state in the off season and talking to over 20 crews including mine and two others in NE Ohio.  He admits that this list is not all inclusive and I am sure over this season and others it will be modified.  Does anyone have anyother or have seen different acts that they would like to see on these two lists.  Let me know and I will pass them along!

[neil99]

This was in a playoff game a few years back. He had been warned once and the game was out of reach at this point. By the Fed rules this is a penalty, still tough to call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrWMwgbYq5A

[Atlanta Blue]

This was in a playoff game a few years back. He had been warned once and the game was out of reach at this point. By the Fed rules this is a penalty, still tough to call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrWMwgbYq5A

What FED rule says this is illegal?

[FBUmp]

What FED rule says this is illegal?

9-5-1c, depending on how it's interpreted.  At one time, we were told to flag this type of display but they have since backed off and said to allow it.  So it all depends on what the governing state body says to do.

[Atlanta Blue]

9-5-1c, depending on how it's interpreted.  At one time, we were told to flag this type of display but they have since backed off and said to allow it.  So it all depends on what the governing state body says to do.

And that's the point: the rule does not say this is illegal.  It's not delayed, prolonged, excessive, nor does it bring attention to himself.  Some people (including some state interpreters) think that it does, but by the wording of the rule, this doesn't fit.

But I agree, you have to do what your state body says to do.  Just make sure you don't insert your own interpretation that goes beyond the rule, as the official in Massachusetts did last year, and the state association wound up throwing him under the bus.

[neil99]

How is that not bringing attention to ones self? Do I think it should be called? No.... I do think it meets the standard of bringing attention to yourself though

[FBUmp]

And that's the point: the rule does not say this is illegal.  It's not delayed, prolonged, excessive, nor does it bring attention to himself.  Some people (including some state interpreters) think that it does, but by the wording of the rule, this doesn't fit.

The rule doesn't state this or any other specific acts are illegal.  It leaves it open to interpretation.  If your state doesn't give any direction, then yes, it gets left up to individuals or local associations.

And I have to disagree with you.  When a player kneels and points to the sky, the act does bring attention to him.  He could just as easily do it on the sideline, where he wouldn't draw as much attention.

Personally, I think the question is "does this constitute an unsporting act?"  IMHO I don't think it does.

I like the OHSAA list.  The NCHSAA has adopted it as HLinNC stated above.

[mbyron]

For Ohio, that looks like item B under LEGAL ACTS.

[FBUmp]

How is that not bringing attention to ones self? Do I think it should be called? No.... I do think it meets the standard of bringing attention to yourself though

Agreed.   Bringing attention to yourself?  Yes.  Unsporting?  No.

[Atlanta Blue]

Agreed.   Bringing attention to yourself?  Yes.  Unsporting?  No.

Bringing  attention to yourself is throwing your hands up in a giant V shape and bowing to the crowd.  It's acting like you are ripping open your shirt to show your Superman S.  It's doing a skit where you mow down the opposition with a imaginary machine gun.  Those bring attention to YOURSELF.

Kneeling for a prayer and pointing to the sky is meant to bring attention to your supreme being, a deceased friend, or the like, not to YOURSELF.

[mbyron]

Kneeling for a prayer and pointing to the sky is meant to bring attention to your supreme being, a deceased friend, or the like, not to YOURSELF.

It's both, of course. The idea that bringing attention to yourself is unsporting is odd: the guy who crosses the goal line with the ball brings attention to himself just in that very act.

[ECILLJ]

He is bringing attention to himself because he wants everyone to know he is thanking God. If he feels the need to talk to God during a game, he can do it quietly and to himself, God will still hear him.