[BillyMac]

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

https://storage.googleapis.com/refqu...oZ8XuYjcpg.mp4

Updated IAABO Play Commentary: Correct Answer: This is an intentional foul.

This is a very challenging play that certainly created a lot of debate among respondents. There really isn't much question as to why the foul was committed. White #12 wishes to stop Green #23 from advancing the ball on a fast break for what looks like will be a lay-up attempt. Even though we know why the foul was committed, officials must determine if a foul is intentional by judging the fouling act itself. Did the defender make a legitimate attempt on the ball/player?

When White #12 approaches the dribbler, his focus appears to be on the player versus the location of the ball. He reaches out with two hands to contact the dribbler. His right hand is more in the back of the torso, which is away from where the ball handler is dribbling the ball. From that perspective, the contact neutralized the opponent's obvious advantageous position and could easily be considered as contact that was not a legitimate attempt to play the ball/player. This would be enough rules support to consider this an intentional foul and how 44% of respondents saw this play.

56% of respondents see this as a common foul. When White #12 reached out with both hands, his left hand does appear to contact the dribbler in the front of the torso (which was a little closer to the ball) when the foul occurred. This action could be considered a legitimate attempt to play the ball/player, and therefore would be supported by rule as a common foul.

This play illustrates the importance of angles. Where an official is positioned could shape their perception of the contact that was committed. The Lead on this play had an angle where he could see the defender's left arm/hand and most likely ruled this as a common foul as a result. If an official was trailing this play, they might have seen more of the contact from behind the player and ruled it differently.

Regardless of how you perceive this play, the most important takeaway is understanding the intentional foul rules that need to be applied to make an accurate ruling. (Rule Book 4-19-3 Case Book 4.19.3 Situations A-E) All officials should master these rules and review these types of play situations as a part of a thorough pregame conference.

Here is the breakdown of the IAABO members that commented on the video: This is a common foul 56% (including me). This is an intentional foul 44%.