[bucky]

One could do this: Run to partner and tell him what kid said. Then return and change call giving deflection signal. Now, it appears as if partner gave you information when really it was the kid. Problem solved....sorta.

Slippery slope - indeed a dangerous term. How many of us have made/changed a call based on info from a player? Happens a lot and this isn't different. In D2 national championship near end of game, FT lane defender points to shooter's foot on line. Ref see him point, moves in closer, angles down, and calls violation after release. Or..player A1, stops his attack/dribble and says player B2 is hurt. Don't you go looking for B2 b/c player A1 gave you information? Or.. player A1 says to you that Team B has 7 players on the court. Don't you start counting Team B players? Or..A1 vehemently tells you that the foul was on A2, not A3 as you reported. Aren't you going to at least question yourself and get the correct player? Or.. how about B2 (#12) telling you that he fouled A1, not the reported B3 (#21), who wasn't even near the play? If you are the reporting official, aren't you going to correct it based on info from the player? Maybe not exactly the same case as the OP but, the slippery slope was mentioned.