[zebraman]

Originally posted by rainmaker

This is the part that I have a hard time with. I've seen games where the team with the ball is playing keep away, and all they're getting is minor taps. Stuff that would never be called at anyother time of the game. Why call it now? It seems to me it puts the team with the ball at a disadvantage that isn't intended by the rules. If the defense can't get close enough to the ball to get a good solid, but not intentional foul, why swing things their way?

We'd all like to believe that we call the game the same from the beginning of the game to the end... and we do try to, but we live in the real world, not fantasy land. How many of us have got together with partners at time-outs and said, "we need to tighten this game up a bit." Or conversely, maybe we've said, "I think we're calling it a bit tight and getting in the way of some flow. Let's back off a bit." ?? I know I have. It's called adjusting to the game at hand.

I think that is the same logic at the end of the game. Earlier in the game, the offense was trying to score and a slight foul interrupted their chance. Now they're just trying to milk time off the clock and the defense is going to make a foul while making an attempt to play the ball. If I pass on the slight contact, the next one is going to be a heck of a lot harder just to "make sure" and it might end up being intentional. Game management and adjusting to the game at hand.

Z