Quote:
Originally Posted by Kansas Ref
Most coaches these days instruct their defenders to "wall up" when applying defensive pressure on a shooter. In that position defender's hands/arms are straight upwards as the shooter tries for goal. A foul is typically not expected to be called in such a contested shot bcz its apparent to everyone that the defender was legally contesting the try for goal. In contrast, when defenders motion their hands/arms go downwards, making a "roof", as the shooter tries for goal we refs are challenged to detect contact--in fact I would assert that a foul is expected to be called. We refs are challenged to instantaneously and correctly differentiate between these two scenarios. Herein lies the challenge in officiating verticality.
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Indeed, that is challenging. Officials must distinguish between a defender dropping his arms as a natural result of being contacted in the chest, and the defender bringing down his arms or contacting the offensive player with his arms in a non-vertical position. This is because one is a legal play, and the other is illegal use of hands (NFHS) or a violation of the vertical cylinder (NCAAM, NBA, FIBA).
Mark, I haven't heard about the assault, but it is a clear disgrace.