Here is what you need to know on how Ejections and Disqualifications are handled according to both NFHS rules and GHSA policies. As we come to the end of the season, it is important to keep in mind that both ejections and DQs have implications for subsequent games and now that we are at the end of the season, these games potentially have playoff implications. Here is some information on handling these situations. After a game with an ejection or disqualification it is best practice to review how you felt you and the crew performed. See if you can identify what you might have done differently. In both cases CALL YOU ASSIGNOR as soon as the game is over to let them know!
Ejections
The rules covering ejections were changed this year in how we handle an ejection for a player or non-player and for coach.
5-12-1 PENALTY: Three-minute non-releasable penalty for a player, substitute or non-playing team member or a one-minute non-releasable penalty for a coach and ejection for the remainder of the game. The ejected coach shall be removed from the premises (bench and field area). The ejected player, substitute or non-playing team member shall be removed from the premises if there is authorized school personnel present to supervise the ejected student. If no authorized school personnel is available, the student shall be confined to the bench area. The sponsoring authority is responsible for notifying the appropriate school of the ejection.
GHSA Policies
Ejections are serious issues. Officials may eject someone even after the contest has ended (Rule 5:12:1 Situation A). Officials should be aware that there is a financial penalty for teams when a coach or player is ejected in addition to subsequent suspension.
GHSA Penalties for Ejected Coach (2.72 d 3)
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- 1st Ejection: $250.00 fine and suspension from next two games.
- 2nd Ejection: $500.00 fine and suspension from next two games; and must complete the “NFHS Sportsmanship Course” online before returning.
- 3rd Ejection: Season suspension; can not coach in any activity at any GHSA member school until successful completion of “GHSA Principles for Coaching.”
GHSA Penalties for Ejected Player (2.72 d 3)
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- 1st Ejection: Completion of the “NFHS Sportsmanship Course” online and suspension from next two games.
- 2nd Ejection: $200 fine and suspension from next two games.
- 3rd Ejection: Season suspension.
The GHSA Executive Director has the authority to levy additional penalties for repeat offenders. Any student who intentionally injures or intentionally attempts to injure another student, coach, official, spectator, or other person immediately before, during, or immediately after any GHSA-sponsored activity, may be declared ineligible to participate in future GHSA activities by the GHSA Executive Director. NOTE: The notice, hearing, and appellate procedures set forth in the GHSA Constitution shall be applicable to such rulings (2.73)
Disqualification
It is possible that a player might accumulate multiple fouls during a game and the crew not realize the player should be disqualified. Be sure to remind your scorekeeper to inform you if a player gets close or reaches five minutes of personal fouls. Check the with table between quarters if you have a player who has a multiple minte foul.
Rule 5:11:1 Any player who accumulates 5 minutes in personal foul penalty time shall be disqualified from the game.
A Disqualification is NOT an ejection. There is no financial penalty from GHSA for a DQ, but the player must sit out the next scheduled contest according to the GHSA White Book (2.72.3)
GLOA Incident Reports
The Referee is responsible for submitting an Incident Report (www.galaxref.com/contact/incident-report) within 12 hours.
Incident Reports from officials must be filed with the GHSA office ASAP for the following situations:
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- Ejections – Be certain to cite the name, jersey number and school of the ejected player or the name and school of the ejected coach and specify the behavior involved in a brief, professional manner.
- All protest situations – be certain to indicate the time at which the formal protest was lodged and the rule application that was protested.
- Any pre-game or post-game problems involving players, coaches, and/or fans.
- Any problems related to field/court conditions.
- Failure to provide adequate security for officials at the game site by host management.
- Any major injuries requiring extraordinary attention such as fights, issues with fans etc…
NOTE: It is not necessary to report sportsmanship violations that do not result in ejections.
Call Your Assignor ASAP
Please be sure to call your assignor IMMEDIATELY after the game as they will likely be called, texted and emailed by parents, fans, coaches and ADs. Be sure you give them a heads up and a rundown of what happened so that they can properly respond!
Contact your assignor as soon as the game is over and let him know that an Incident Report is coming. Coaches, players, fans and administrators will be emailing him, make sure you give him a heads up.
Detailed Factual Narrative
These should be factual narrative without editorial comments that thoroughly describes the actions involved. Be sure to get the full names of any persons involved (ask the scorekeeper) Instead of writing Blue #15, write John Doe, #15 for the Blue team.
These reports are sent to GHSA and passed along to the principal of the school involved along with a letter from the Executive Director of the GHSA. A copy is sent to the GLOA secretary who then distributes it to the entire board. The referee also receives a confirmation email with a copy.
All game incident reports MUST be submitted electronically through the GHSA MIS System by the association secretary within 48 hours of the incident date.
The following is the policy for submitting game incident reports to the GHSA Office (Officiating Handbook 3):
- EJECTIONS – Require the name of the individual, uniform number if a player, respective school, specific
violation, rule book reference, and a brief and professional summary of the action. Game reports resulting
in an ejection MUST be submitted within (24) hours of the incident date. - SPORTSMANSHIP/GAME MANAGEMENT – Submit a brief and professional summary of any
“sportsmanship” issue involving players, coaches, and/or spectators prior to, during, or after the
game/contest. Submit a “Game Report” for any incident related to failure of the host school to provide a
Game Manager, adequate security personnel, secure and private officials’ dressing area, problem issues
with playing venue, or issues that occur following the completion of the contest. - INJURY REPORTS – Submit a report on any “major” injury that requires a player(s) to be taken to an
emergency medical facility.
If you are unsure as to whether or not you should submit a report, call your assignor!