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I've got a question about interpreting or ruling a charge. I'm primarily approaching this from a high school perspective although I would hope the ruling is consistent at all levels.
I have two primary issues that have bothered me with this call (more specifically "non-call") over the years as a high school player, division 1 college player, coach, and now parent. The first of these is the inconsistency between referees in interpreting and making the call. It seems that depending on the game and who is refereeing, the chances of a charging foul being called significantly varies from one game or night to another. It's almost as if some referees have a different interpretation entirely of what constitutes a charge. I can't tell you how many times I've seen situations where the defensive player has established position, is stationary, not reaching, not leaning, in position before the offense has left his feet, etc. and significant contact is made by the offensive player, and no whistle results or else the whistle is ruled to the offense. The defensive player is often knocked to the floor as a result, and sometimes injury results. Instead of being rewarded for intelligent defense and taking one for the team, the defensive player is either ignored entirely or else charged with commiting a blocking foul.
By all practical reasoning, how can this happen? And I'm not talking about close, judgement call situations. These are or seem to be (from an experienced point of view) clear cut charging situations that are interpreted differently by different people. What standardized training re: these types of calls is given to officials at the high school level? And how is this kind of thing monitored and/or corrected from game to game for individual officials?
Secondly, I also am perplexed by the following call being made time and time again. Here's the situation: Defensive player again is stationary, not leaning, not reaching out to impede offensive movement with the arms, arms extended vertically overhead (in his space), not moving in any way. Offensive player is attempting to drive around the defense and makes contact with either his own inside shoulder or leg with the defensive man's torso or knee. The offense initiated the contact because he chose not to go around the defense. Yet the call is made on the defense as a block.
A similar scenario is when the offensive man goes up for a shot and makes contact with this same defensive man in the same defensive position thru the offensive man's forward motion either directly as he goes up for a shot or thru the follow thru motion on his way down. Again, how can this be a foul on the defense?
I would really appreciate a variety of responses from experienced referees on these scenarios. Thanks.
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