Do you make the captains shake hands?

[bigjohn]

http://ohsaafb.com/question/wearing-helmets-during-the-coin-toss/

Is this a rule?

[FLAHL]

It isn't a rule.  When they come out to midfield, I always start with "shake hands and introduce yourselves."  I've never had a player unwilling to do so.

Wasn't this a big deal with Penn St vs Maryland last year?  If I had kids who wouldn't shake hands, I guess I'd just  remind them that unsportsmanlike conduct fouls will be called if appropriate and then toss the coin.

[ncwingman]

When they come out to midfield, I always start with "shake hands and introduce yourselves."  I've never had a player unwilling to do so.

I'm not the white hat so I haven't said that line myself, but I've been in games where the captains refused to shake hands. It's a good indication you might be in for a LONG night....

[NWA_UMP]

I, as well as my Umpire instruct both team's Captains to remove their helmets before proceeding to toss and I instruct them to shake hands when they get to mid-field. I have never had an instance where captains wouldn't shake, even in the biggest of rivalry games.

Sportsmanship and safety are my two biggest concerns and focus. 

[HLinNC]

Do I recall a long ago Brew-ha-ha thread on this topic?

Diddly-doo, diddly-doo, didly-doo

[FLAHL]

Do I recall a long ago Brew-ha-ha thread on this topic?

You have a good memory NC.  I was getting a little of that deja vu feeling as well.

[AlUpstateNY]

It isn't a rule.  When they come out to midfield, I always start with "shake hands and introduce yourselves."  I've never had a player unwilling to do so.

I agree wholeheartedly. There is no football rule describing appropriate manners, but either the Captains have been taught that previously, or not.  If not, exposing them to the concept of mutual respect and basic civility can't hurt may prove beneficial to them, far beyond the contest at hand.

If refused, as suggested, that may be an indicator that additional advice related to behavioral expectations may be appropriate.

[HLinNC]

You have a good memory NC.

You'd have a hard time convincing Mrs. HLinNC of that FLA.

 

[SouthGARef]

A couple of years ago I was the R and when the captains came out they were wearing their helmets. I asked them to put their helmets under their left arm so they could shake with their right arm. That's just what we had always done in my area. Never really heard anything about it. One of the captains said they wanted to wear the helmet, but I asked that he take it off and do as I asked. Didn't argue or anything, but he did what I said.

When the team and head coach came out of the tunnel the head coach was livid at the players and at me. Screaming "I wanted them to have their helmets on" and stuff like that. I don't really get why he thought it was a big deal, but he did.

Since then I've stopped caring about it. If they want to walk out with their helmets on, so be it. I instruct them to shake hands when they reach midfield but don't really care if they do or not. I think we can all sense when there's some tension/hatred between teams and if I need to I'll throw in an extra word to the captains and crew about how we need to stay on top of player actions early and often.

[Kevin Durst]

We have always told the captains to "shake hands and introduce yourselves". We always mention it is a game, we expect good sportsmanship to be exhibited, and for them to have a good time. Never had any problem, and don't anticipate any in the future.  If captains ever refused to shake hands, we probably would not make a big deal out of it, but it would put us on alert at to what might happen during the game.

[ECILLJ]

"Gentlemen please introduce yourselves and shake hands."

"Gentlemen, my apologies for not being clear. Please shake hands and introduce yourselves."

"Gentlemen, let me remind you that my grandma is not in the stands watching me; so I can stand here all night. Now please shake hands."   

The Cubs are having a little slump, no problem. 

Are there any Twins fans among us? I'm pulling for you in the AL race. 

[Welpe]

It isn't a rule.  When they come out to midfield, I always start with "shake hands and introduce yourselves."  I've never had a player unwilling to do so.

I have once. The home team refused and my WH said "OK that's how you guys want to be, fine. Nothing funny tonight, got it?" He wasn't happy but what else can we do?

[bigjohn]

Rule 1-1-6 clearly covers this and I say you throw a USC right then on the head coach. It could be a better fit for the rule and situation. You can flag them for being late why not this.

[bigjohn]

and also 9-5-1g

[Jim D]

and also 9-5-1g

Yep, refusing to comply with a game official's request is specifically mentioned here.  I would have no problem supporting a UNS flag here, or even multiple flags if they continue.  I would not charge it to the coach, but to the captain(s).

I'm not a control freak, but I think I would want to make sure that these teams knew that tonight we're going to play the game under NF rules - not their rules.

[Atlanta Blue]

Throwing that flag is not going to make you many friends in the state office when that report gets filed.  Don't play their game.  Because no matter what you write, here is a synopsis: "I called a USC foul because they wouldn't do something I told them to do, even though there is no rule requiring them to do so other than me being a control freak."

Just tell them:
"Gentlemen, if you aren't shaking hands, I'm assuming you are trying to intimidate someone.  Well, consider yourselves notified there will be nothing but sportsmanlike behavior on this field tonight, and anything else will draw flags or ejections, without any more warnings.  Do you understand what I have just said?  Now, would you like to shake hands with me and the other captains?"

If they still refuse, OK, they are now on a short leash, from the coach on down.  It's a whole lot easier to justify a foul during play than one at the coin toss for "failure to shake hands".  And if their behavior during the game is exemplary, great, then who cares if they shook hands?

[Johnponz]

AB got this one right.  There is no justification for flagging this, and it will do nothing but add fuel to the fire.  Why take the attention away from the people who decided not to shake hands and place it on on us?  I like AB's verbiage as well, this places the responsibility where it belongs on the teams. 

Starting a game with a UNS really is not a good start for the officials.  I have only had it happen once, and that is when one of the Captains made a threat to the other team. 

[bigjohn]

Because it is more of an unsportsmanlike act than some of the stuff Ohio says to flag!


http://ohsaafb.com/files/2015/07/uns_2015.pdf

IE: C. Signals to the official that he needs to throw his flag

Had this one called in our game last week.

[Johnponz]

I would not flag it, but personally I despise it when players make that "where's the flag" signal.  It is a case of too much trying to look like the big guys on Saturday and Sunday.  Players should just play the game, and not worry about the flags.  I know that will never happen, but it is wishful thinking.

Just a pet peeve of mine.

[bigjohn]

I get that JP but it should not be an automatic, you tell the kid, cut that IT out and if he pulls it again you hit him with 15.

JMHO

[SD_Casey]

1. Twins fan here!

2. AB is correct IMO.  No flag but a tight leash.

3. One of our games last season I brought the captains out for the coin toss.  I don't know what I was thinking but When they got there I told them "Go ahead and shake hands if you want to." Which they did.  The rest of the coin toss went as usual no issues.  After the captains departed for their respective sideline, my umpire looks at me with barely contained laughter and says "if you want to? The hell was that?"

[Ralph Damren]

Up here in the north country, we require that the head coach (1-1-5) accompany his captains out for the coin toss. Their accepted protocol is:
   (1) Coaches shake hands with each other and then opposing captains;
   (2) opposing captains then shake hands with each other;
   (3) I ask the coaches if they will play by the NFHS Sportsmanship Code;
   (4) They respond "Ayuh", shake hands again and return to their sidelines;
   (5) I then give a short leadership talk to the captains;
   (6) ask and announce visiting captain's choice before I toss coin;
   (7) after toss and apporiate signal(s), I announce, " Let's shake hands and return to your sidelines";l
   (8) players will shake again, often patting opponents on shoulder pads.

Been doing it this way since 1-1-5 was added back in 2001....no problems, yet...

[Atlanta Blue]

Been doing it this way since 1-1-5 was added back in 2001....no problems, yet...

But what would you do if they politely said, "No, thank you" when you told them to shake hands?

[GAHSUMPIRE]

Throwing that flag is not going to make you many friends in the state office when that report gets filed.  Don't play their game.  Because no matter what you write, here is a synopsis: "I called a USC foul because they wouldn't do something I told them to do, even though there is no rule requiring them to do so other than me being a control freak."

Just tell them:
"Gentlemen, if you aren't shaking hands, I'm assuming you are trying to intimidate someone.  Well, consider yourselves notified there will be nothing but sportsmanlike behavior on this field tonight, and anything else will draw flags or ejections, without any more warnings.  Do you understand what I have just said?  Now, would you like to shake hands with me and the other captains?"

If they still refuse, OK, they are now on a short leash, from the coach on down.  It's a whole lot easier to justify a foul during play than one at the coin toss for "failure to shake hands".  And if their behavior during the game is exemplary, great, then who cares if they shook hands?

I have never had a team refuse to shake hands. If I did, I believe that I would treat it like you mention, though if I did not have the opportunity to get to each sideline, I might also instruct my wing officials to mention it to the coaches as well.

As for flagging this? Not me.

Just because the rules say you can, it doesn't mean you should. There are usually enough fouls to call in a game, there is no need to go looking for any more.

Jim D: I think there are other ways to make sure that the teams know that you are in control.

We are going to be sharing the same stretch of glorious green grass (or rubber-pelleted plastic turf) in pretty close proximity for the next couple of hours, why make it any more difficult than it needs to be?

I worked with a white hat in the past who would issue both teams a sideline warning during the pre-game discussion with the coaches. That asserted his control, but it started the game off in a negative, adversarial manner that usually went down hill from there.

Just  my 2 cents, but as one of my mentors used to say, "why trouble trouble?"

[Ralph Damren]

As I , with the home coach and captains, approach the umpire , with the visiting coach and captains, I'll usually say : "Coach Popeye and captains of the Beached Tuna, please greet Coach Iron Head and captains of the Polecats". They have always greeted each other with a hand shake. If they said they didn't want to shake hands, I might respond with : "Well, I guess we're going to get off to a good start " or " I guess we'll have to watch closely tonight !"

On the sidelines, watching are the athletic directors, often principals, often school board members and the like (often the game is the only show in town). Momma Bears and Poppa Bears are always in attendance, and sportsmanship is expected by all. Sportsmanship starts with the coaches, they usually understand and agree.