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Coaches Corner

My Fellow Officials,

It's hard to believe that week 10 is upon us. For some of us the season is about to come to a close. For others it is the start of our second season. The playoff season. With the expansion of the playoffs more of us should be able to make that playoff journey.
I must bring to your attention to some issues that have been brought to my attention. It is hard to believe that going into week 9 we have had crews who opted to be selective on certain rule enforcements. It now befalls Crews to take action against Teams that have been allowed to wear illegal equipment possibly through out the season. Those of you that have allowed this have done a terrible disservice to your fellow Officials and the Teams you served. The allowance of wearing illegal face shields,attachments such as "spats"and other attachments, towels illegal size and illegal logos, exposed "kick plates"(hard and unyielding plastic), has been overlooked and is now prompting Crews to make these hard calls now. By the same token, I would also like to commend one of our Chapters who after noticing a Crew not enforcing a safety rule of non clear face shields took the initiative to discipline that crew to the Boards satisfaction.

Let's finish the season on the right foot and start the play offs on a positive note. Safety rules must be administered. Although "fashion policing" is a pain in the rear we can't get ourselves in the rut of selective enforcement.
Two more things before I jump off the soap box. When you are given the privilege of working play off games, bring your best game. At the end of your game a group of young people will be through for the year. Make sure we give them all the fair opportunity to succeed. Be professional. Dress professional.Keep the side lines clear. This will afford you the opportunity to make the "big calls".

We plan to have TASO observers at as many play off g

ames as possible.

I hope your season has gone well. I hope that if you are fortunate to work play offs that you are up to the task. Good luck to all of you.

Be safe, Be strong.
Good Officiating,

Bill

President of TASO

My fellow Officials,

We are in to the second half of this season. Congratulations that we've made it this far.
Some things to remember:

CLEAR EYE SHIELDS: Clear means clear! The UIL was very specific. Not amber, not smoke, not lightly tinted, not mirrored. Clear only. Players can not play with them on. You are not asking that they be removed. You are saying that by rule players can not play with them on. Do not let them. This is a safety issue and THE RULE.

POSITIVE POINTS: In your pregame ask the coaches during District games if the District uses positive points for the tie breaker rule. If so, that if a touchdown is scored with no time left on the clock and or that the winning touchdown is scored ending overtime. The try must be attempted. If the opponent of the scoring team elects not to come out to defend the try, that the maximum points(2 pts.) for a try will be awarded to the scoring team.

MEDIA AND CAMERAS IN THE TEAM AREA: 1-2-4e Many School Districts are allowing freelance photographers and video camera people to take photos and videos of their teams in actions to sell them to parents and friends online. We have no control of this. However they MAY NOT be in the team area or on the field nor on the sideline inside the Limit lines,12 ft. unless a field doesn't permit, then 6 ft. minimum. This also includes local TV, media, school boosters, and scoreboard cameras. Ask them to stay behind the Limit lines. If necessary ask for the Administrator or Security for assistance. This is a safety issue for you, the players and the coaches.

Good luck. Be strong.
Good Officiating.

Bill Fecci