I must say that when I posted this, I didn't think it was going to turn into a discussion on the amount of attention an official should pay to what coaches think, but rather a discussion of the play itself.
In the case I described, there is no doubt the ball hit the board on a pass, not a try. The play is identical to one tried previously on more than one occasion in the game. My advice is to make the correct call according to the rule, which is over and back, then tell any complaining coach that you will explain it at the next break. Period.
BTW - this was a set play in the NBA years ago when Jack Ramsey was coaching the Blazers. He ran it for Calvin Natt. After trying it for a few games and having it work only about 20% of the time, they abandoned it. Frankly, I think it could work at that level with the proper personnel, although if a forward could get inside position that easily, and a guard can make that pass that easily, maybe you're better off with an alley-oop.
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