[Stardust]

Not exactly the same thing we are talking about but - http://www.sentinel-echo.com/opinion/x15...KHSAA-rule

By Denis House

A few weeks back, I, along with all the other media in the state, received this e-mail from Butch Cope, assistant commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

“Some administrators and media may not be aware of an NFHS rule change that was made in 2007, and is being further emphasized this season. There is to be a line (broken or solid) around the side of the field, 2 yards off the sideline. This line represents a deceleration zone of sorts, and is not to be occupied by anyone.

Coaches were told this summer at their rules clinics that media can't be in there (including live TV). Game personnel such as statisticians, Principal, Athletic Director or KHSAA staff attending a game are not permitted in the zone. The chain crew is to operate at the BACK of that zone (not on the sideline, but two yards away).

While the officials have jurisdiction once the game starts, enforcement of these provisions outside the team box (outside the 25 yard lines) is up to the home game administration. We have reminded coaches and school administrators of this rule and have advised them to distribute a small note to give to each media outlet when they get a sideline pass that tells them where they can and cannot be.

They cannot be in the team box (25 to 25) and cannot be between the sideline and the two-yard zone.”

Now, I don’t have a problem with the two-yard rule. It makes sense to me. You don’t want an official who is running down the sidelines to keep up with a play to trip over anyone, including coaches, players and media. But, you have to make sure to enforce the rule, and that includes coaches and players.



Last Friday night, at South Laurel, I was informed by an official that I had to stay behind the line that South Laurel uses for soccer, which is about five yards off of the football sideline. Of course, I ignored him, since I was standing two yards off. If I would have moved back behind that line, I wouldn’t have been able to see the play due to the fact that football players stand during the entire game, and they keep edging closer and closer to the sideline.

What I do have a problem with is no media being in the team box (25 yard line to 25 yard line), mainly because, hey, this isn’t college or the pros. While some newspaper photographers have equipment that allows them to shoot good photos from that distance, many don’t, so it’s really hard to get a good photo if you aren’t following the team up and down the field, and that means being inside the team box.

So far, the only problem I’ve encountered is with that sideline official last Friday night. But I seriously think that the KHSAA needs to rethink this rule, especially when it comes to the media. We are there no only to do our job, but to also promote your activities.