ASK THE EXPERTS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GOLF:  John Ray - WVSSAC Clinician

What is Out of Bounds? -- Out of bounds is ground on which play is prohibited.  When out of bounds is defined by reference to stakes, fence or as beyond stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line is determined by the nearest inside points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level excluding angle supports.  When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds.  The out of bounds line extends vertically upwards and downwards.  A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds.   A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds.

What defines the Teeing Ground? -- The teeing ground is the starting place for the hole to be played.  It is a rectangular area two club lengths in depth, the front and sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee markers.  A ball is outside the teeing ground when all of it lies outside the teeing ground.  Note: A player may stand partially or totally outside the teeing ground to play the stroke, while the ball being played must be within the teeing ground.

FOOTBALL:  Mike Webb - WVSSAC Clinician

Why are punts and kickoffs that go into the opponents end zone blown dead? -- In the past more injuries occurred during kicking downs than during any other type of play.  Hence the rule for reducing runs during kick plays.  If any non scoring kick crosses the opponents goal, it becomes a touchback.

Just what is pass interference? -- Defensive, as well as offensive players, have equal rights to attempt catching a pass.   If a player contacts an opponent from a disadvantageous position, that player will probably be called for pass interference.  Players may not play through an opponent to get to the pass.  If both players are making an attempt to play the ball and contact occurs between the players, the contact will most likely be ruled incidental and not a foul.  Passes that do not cross the line of scrimmage do not place pass interference restrictions on either team.

WRESTLING -- Dr. Bill Welker WVSSAC Clinician

What is the rule pertaining to blood time, including a bloody nose? -- Any contestant that is bleeding (including a bloody nose) will be charged with a bleeding time-out.  Each contestant shall have a maximum time of five minutes to terminate bleeding during the course of a match.  There are two important points to mention: First, the coach can coach during blood time; Secondly, once the blood is stopped then there is an officials' time out to clean up any blood on the mat or anywhere else.

There has been some confusion regarding weight certification and moving up weight classes.  Could you please clarify, Jack Cullen Wrestling Coach Point Pleasant High School In West Virginia, the weight permit (certification) forms must be sent to the WVSSAC office and postmarked no later than December 23rd.  Now here comes the important part.  Once a wrestlers' certified minimum weight has been determined, a wrestler can not weigh-in more than one weight class above his certified minimum weight.  He will automatically recertify himself at a higher weight class.  Also, note a wrestler must have 50% of his weigh-ins at his certified minimum weight if he plans to wrestle there for regionals and states.

SWIMMING -- JIM GILCHRIST WVSSAC CLINICIAN

As the head of a backstroker passes under the flags (at 20 yrd. mark), he/she rotates past the vertical towards the stomach, takes one arm pull, then glides and kick into the wall.  Is this a legal move?  This is legal.  Kicking and gliding is permitted throughout the turning and touch provided no additional arm pull occurs.

Using the forward start, swimmer in lane 2 comes down, grabs the block, becomes steady and then continues to move forward or backward.  Swimmer in lane 3 dives into the water because of lane 2's movement.   Who is charged with false start?  A false start will be charged to lane 2 for not remaining motionless and will be disqualified.