Shaking Hands After Games: Is It Time to Stop?

In New Jersey, a tradition of shaking hands after sports games is being questioned. This tradition has been around for a long time, but recently, there have been incidents of violence. For example, in 2018, a high school basketball player was punched and kicked during the handshake line. This led to a lawsuit, but it was eventually dismissed. Some coaches, like Phil Colicchio, think that the handshake line should be ended. He believes that players are too emotional right after the game, and this can lead to fights. Other coaches agree with him, especially after recent incidents of violence in handshake lines. However, not everyone agrees. Some people think that the handshake line is an important part of sportsmanship. They believe that it teaches players to respect their opponents, even after a tough game. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) also supports the handshake line. They say that it is an important lesson for student-athletes. But others think that the handshake line is not practical. They point to incidents where players have fought or been violent during the handshake line. Some coaches even say that they would rather see players shake hands before the game, instead of after. In professional sports, the handshake line is not as common. In the NFL, for example, players usually just head to the locker room after the game. In the NBA, some players wave to each other as they leave the court. The closest thing to a handshake line in professional sports is in the NHL, where players shake hands after playoff games. Some people think that the handshake line should be kept, but with more security. The National Federation of State High School Associations has even suggested that security personnel be stationed near the handshake line. But others think that the handshake line should be ended altogether. In the end, it is up to the coaches and schools to make sure that players behave themselves during the handshake line. But with incidents of violence continuing to happen, some people are starting to question whether the handshake line is still a good idea.