[BillyMac]

Disclaimer: For IAABO eyes only. Below is not a NFHS interpretation, it's only an IAABO interpretation which obviously doesn't mean a hill of beans to most members of this Forum.

https://storage.googleapis.com/refqu...NuXcgMVA%3D%3D

IAABO Play Commentary: Correct Answer: This is a player control foul.

The most important aspect of this play is understanding the principles involved in making this ruling. In reading through the comments, whether people thought this was a blocking foul or a player control foul, most people agreed that the key to the play was whether or not the defender could get her right foot to the floor to obtain a legal guarding position. (4-23-2a) That is the most important aspect of this clip and very good to see. Going frame by frame, it appears the second foot is placed on the floor just before the displacement occurs. (But it is extremely close!!) Keeping in mind, defensive players do not need to give a player with the ball any time or distance to avoid contact, if the defender got the foot to the floor, this would be a player control foul.

It is important to note because there was displacement involved, a foul has occurred, and there needs to be a whistle on this play. A legendary IAABO Clinician once said when you see an offensive player contact a defender in the torso, if you give the benefit of the doubt to the defensive player, you will be right 90% of the time. Probably good advice. Again, we can debate the legality of the defender on this play, but as long as you understand the main principle of making this ruling, the clip is beneficial.

The Lead official doesn't have a great view of the play. If he had made a position adjustment to his right toward the sideline, it would have been a better angle, but two players in that area may have obstructed his view. But when you watch the play, does the Lead official look "engaged" in the action, or is his approach to the play sort of casual? He appears to have chosen a single "spot" on the endline and did not seem prepared to make position adjustments as the ball moved around the perimeter. These are the types of things observers notice when watching officials. If you aspire to move up to higher levels, be cognizant of how your body language and positioning can look outside observers. Food for thought.

Here is the breakdown of the IAABO members that commented on the video: This is a blocking foul 53% (including me). This is a player control foul 44%. This is incidental contact (no foul) 2%.