[Raymond]

Points of Emphasis

Post Play. There are still too many low post situations occurring when players are using illegal, rough tactics to gain an advantage not intended by the rules that are not being addressed by officials. Officials must do a better job of CALLING THE FIRST FOUL!
Offensive and defensive players who dislodge or displace an opponent from a legally established position must be called for a foul. Offensive post players who use an extended lower arm to ward off and illegally keep an opponent from fronting must be called for a foul. This illegal use of the lower arm is especially prevalent when the offensive post player moves from his initial post position to the other side of the lane to set his position again. Illegal grabbing, holding, extending forearms and “swim stroke” actions by defensive players must be called for a foul. The officiating of post play is not at the consistent level needed and officials must do a better job of officiating by the guidelines and CALL THE FOULS. THE PLAYERS WILL ADJUST.

Palming. Officials have done an excellent job in calling palming violations and many players have adjusted their dribbling style to avoid violations. There can be no slippage as the season moves on. The palming violations, regardless of the time of the game, must continue to be called.

Hand-checking and body bumping. Hand-checking has been officiated well but there has been too much inconsistency in calling body bumping by defensive players guarding the dribbler. Officials must call fouls for body bumping on a more consistent basis and continue to bear down on hand-checking. CALL THE FOULS. THE PLAYERS WILL ADJUST.

Screening. Officials have done an adequate job on calling fouls for illegal screens but there are too many illegal screens not called. More consistency is needed in this area. CALL THE FOULS. THE PLAYERS WILL ADJUST.

Players moving without the ball. The point of emphasis has been very well officiated and players and coaches have made excellent adjustments in their style of defensive play against cutting offensive players. Officials must continue to keep their off-ball officiating of players moving without the ball a high priority, and when players are illegally detoured by illegal contact, keep calling the fouls.

Loose-Ball Recovery. Officials must keep in mind that when a player on the floor is attempting to secure a loose ball or has secured a loose ball, it is illegal for an opponent to simply jump on top of the player on the floor in an attempt to establish a held ball situation. This is always a foul and must continue to be called as such.