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Originally posted by M&M Guy
Quote:
Originally posted by zebraman
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.
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Remember the old adage of not anticipating a call and blowing the whistle too soon? I'm wondering if this might apply here as well. You're anticipating that if you don't get this slight contact now, there will be harder contact later. What if there is no harder contact later? Granted, it does happen. But not all the time. And you just helped the one team out by stopping the clock (which is what they wanted) and calling a "slight" foul, something that you wouldn't have called earlier in the game.
Chuck's example is a good one - if the player is standing there, for all practical purposes waiting to be fouled, call the contact as soon as the defender is there. But it wouldn't be any different in the beginning of the game - say the player is standing there trying to signal a play, and the defender does the same thing, it will also be a foul.
I think we agree on what's intentional. And I certainly agree we do adjust during a game. But we adjust during a game based on what the players have done. In this case, I think you're adjusting based on what the players might do. It's a slight difference, but I think it's important. Call what's there, don't call what isn't there, and call it consistently.
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Actually, if you look at one of my earlier posts I said to NOT anticipate a call because I've seen a good clean play called as a foul. I don't think it's a stretch to think that there "might" be harder contact coming next when you let slight contact go because you know that the team is going to try to make contact if they don't get a clean steal while making a play on the ball. That doesn't require a crystal ball or any genius.
Hey, I have tried this both ways in my not-so-distinguished career. For me personally, it has turned out a lot worse when I have let the first contact go (frustration fouls, much harder, generally ensue). Do what works for you.
Z