Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisSportsFan
Quote:
Originally posted by SMEngmann
In my opinion this has to be a technical in a high school game, because the way I read it, this is an act of taunting. You never know how this could potentially escalate between the 2 players, particularly if the game becomes a blowout. I do not work college, so I'd have to leave that to you guys who do, but in my area we have a zero tolerance mandate for unsportsmanlike conduct, so I would very likely T here to maintain control of the game.
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I think what many are saying is that if it's between 2 teammates, see if you can warn but if it's to their opponent, that might require penalty. It still amazes me how many of these kids know each other from other sports or AAU or whatever. Sometimes my initial reaction is to jump in but the 2 players are laughing. Why then do I need to get involved other than to make sure fans and other teammates don't get involved and carry it over the line. I usually would tell them that others might mistake what they are saying so let's cut it out.
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I hear what you are saying and I agree with you, based on the way I read the statement and my interpretation (of course I wasn't there) it seemed to me like an act of taunting, which would get a T from me. It would be flagrant only if it started a fight between the two players (don't really want to get into a legal "fighting words" debate here....). Even if it were apparant that the kids were buddies, I'd probably err on the side of the T just to prevent the same type of trash talk from happening at the other end of the floor. What happens when the player who was taunted dunks over the other player the next time down the floor and makes a similar quip? Now as an official you've started to lose control of the game, and if you T the second guy, you've essentially let the instigator off the hook. Too many things can happen, even between friends in a competitive atmosphere, penalize to prevent a future incident.