Coach - Player Comms

[TXMike]

Does NFHS permit coach - player comm systems (i.e. a receiver in the Q B helmet)?

[GA Umpire]

Does NFHS permit coach - player comm systems (i.e. a receiver in the Q B helmet)?

No.

[TXMike]

This language is on one of the vendor's website:

X12-MR mini helmet receiver allows you to communicate directly from the coach to the player using the same belt pack. Although not permitted in some states for game use, use it in practice, 7 on 7's or highlight a player during two-a-days making him the focus player during practice. This will allow his position coach to coach him on the fly.  Get the most out of your headset system by not only using it in games but in practice as well.

[GA Umpire]

Does NFHS permit coach - player comm systems (i.e. a receiver in the Q B helmet)?

Below are the related rules and approved rulings.

Rule 1-6: ART. 1 . . . Electronic communication devices including but not limited to audio recorder, Local Area Network (LAN) phones and/or headsets, mobile phones, still photograph(s), film, analog or digital video(s) and/or Internet depictions, shall not be used to communicate with a player except during an outside 9-yard mark conference (7-yard marks in nine-, eight- and six-player competition).

1.6.1 SITUATION A:
During the game, the coach of B is observed talking into (a) a tape recorder; (b) tablet computer; or (c) a mobile phone.

RULING: In (a), (b) and (c), legal for use during or after the game, provided these (or any other electronic communication devices) are not used to communicate with a player during a between 9-yard marks conference. This precludes the use of any type of direct in-helmet communication with any player, and does not allow for the use of any electronic communication devices during a between 9-yard marks conference, allowing for their use only during outside 9-yard mark conferences. (1-6-2)

[Ralph Damren]

NO!!!

[ElvisLives]

Whether uniforms, shoes, protective equipment - even nutritional supplements - manufacturers/vendors don’t give a rats bohunkus about following any rules.  Their only interest is in selling.  They will tell schools/coaches/athletes anything, to make a sale.  They will tell the coaches that unprotected hard plastic and metal elbow braces are legal.  In two separate games (the second being a playoff game) we had to tell the same team that they couldn’t use such a brace, unless they cover it with 1/2 inch slow recovery foam.  They said we were the only crew all season that wouldn’t let them use it.  The vendor that sold it to them should have a duty to advise the team that such a device may not be allowed.  Same with the radios.  The vendor should know this type of device is illegal, and advise the team of such.  But, they don’t care.  They just want to convince teams that white numbers on white jerseys are cooool, and that is what everybody is wearing.  They want to convince players that short pants - above the knees - are coooool (I mean, just look at the NFL players - don’t you want to be like them?).  Never mind that those things are illegal.  They don’t care.  They just want to make the sale.
And then the teams get upset with us when we enforce the rules.  “But we just spent $10,000 on new uniforms!” Like it is our fault they got fooled by the uniform vendor.

Sad.





such communications is perfectly legal.  Sa

[prab]

Whether uniforms, shoes, protective equipment - even nutritional supplements - manufacturers/vendors don’t give a rats bohunkus about following any rules.  Their only interest is in selling.  They will tell schools/coaches/athletes anything, to make a sale.  They will tell the coaches that unprotected hard plastic and metal elbow braces are legal.  In two separate games (the second being a playoff game) we had to tell the same team that they couldn’t use such a brace, unless they cover it with 1/2 inch slow recovery foam.  They said we were the only crew all season that wouldn’t let them use it.  The vendor that sold it to them should have a duty to advise the team that such a device may not be allowed.  Same with the radios.  The vendor should know this type of device is illegal, and advise the team of such.  But, they don’t care.  They just want to convince teams that white numbers on white jerseys are cooool, and that is what everybody is wearing.  They want to convince players that short pants - above the knees - are coooool (I mean, just look at the NFL players - don’t you want to be like them?).  Never mind that those things are illegal.  They don’t care.  They just want to make the sale.
And then the teams get upset with us when we enforce the rules.  “But we just spent $10,000 on new uniforms!” Like it is our fault they got fooled by the uniform vendor.

Sad.





such communications is perfectly legal.  Sa

Seems to be a rather harsh indictment of the capitalist system! Accuracy is no defense to a charge of insensitivity!

[HLinNC]

Several months ago a former HS coach here that operates a statewide website and forum on HS football began touting and advertising a new brand of football that is way beyond the current NFHS regulations regarding team logos.  I have had some interactions with him and his staff in the past so I sent him a PM inquiring as to whether the balls had the NFHS certification and that they looked shaky to me.  The ads appeared to be "danger close" to encouraging their use as game balls.  He never replied.

[Ralph Damren]

In 2013 , when we expanded the use of communication devices, we felt the prior restrictions were unenforceable. There wasn't any way to control what was being watched at halftime or what was sent from press box to bench, but we could control what was being sent  electronically to the players on the field. Hence ,the remaining restrictions on any device that can do that.

Here's a story from a game of mine several years ago that you might enjoy....

(1) Late in 1st half, wing ruled a receiver in front of his own bench trapped a pass;
(2) his coach  went wild;
(3) as the teams returned to the field, that coach came to me and said : "We watched that trap on video and it was a good call  ";
(4) I replied : "That's a good answer, so it won't cost you, you are not allowed to watch videos of this game at halftime  . "
(5) Coach : "I didn't know that and I don't believe any of the other coaches do . Could you ask them at the next pre-season meeting  ??"
(6) I did ,and asked for a show of hands from those that knew that was illegal.
(7) He was the only coach to raise his hand  !

[ElvisLives]

Seems to be a rather harsh indictment of the capitalist system! Accuracy is no defense to a charge of insensitivity!

I am as conservative and capitalistic as you'll come across.  But, when somebody else's refusal to follow laws or rules start to affect me, and I have no effective way of eliminating the problem, that's where I draw my line.
My most sensitive issue is with artificial sports field manufacturers/vendors.  Being an Architect, as well as a football official, I know that field markings need to comply with the rules governing the sport played on those fields.  Sidelines and yard lines (other than goal lines) are to be white.  Period.  No exceptions.  Yet, one vendor I know sold a school on permanently marking a single field for both 11-player and six-player football.  So, the sidelines for the six-player field are gray, and the yard lines between the six-player sidelines are also gray.  The Goal lines for the six-player field are gray.  All yard lines (11 and 6) extend to their sidelines (supposed to be a 4" break at the sidelines).  There are markings in the 11-player end zones that are white and they abut the sidelines.
The vast majority of school logos in the center of the field cross over three yard lines, and the yard lines simply don't exist through the logos.  (Go ahead - try making a measurement.)
There's more, but I'll stop there.
The UIL (Texas) doesn't seem to care.  Need mind that gray yard lines (and 6-player goal lines), and not great lighting, make it very difficult to rule on progress, especially at the 6-player goal lines.  Never mind that it is impossible to rule inbounds/out of bounds at sideline/yard line intersections, and sideline/end zone marking intersections.
The vendors don't care.  They just want sell the Owner on something they think will look "cool."  And, in the case of this particular vendor, provide a crappy installation that is well below the value of what the Owner is paying for.  That's why they try to convince Owner's to contract directly with them, and not involve an Architect.
OK, off my soap box.

Talladega, today.  Wait for the BIG ONE!

Robert