I don't care how silly I might look, but after each timeout, period, sub situation, or any other time where players may be coming on or off the court I count them. I don't give my partner thumbs up or hand the ball off until I know there are only 10 players on the floor. My first season I let a team inbound with only four players on the court. I learned real fast it was my job to check.
We don't, and may never know if the officials knew there were six on the floor, but it is absolutely reprehensible for an official to let the ball become live knowing there are six players on the floor. I try to prevent T's like a bad rash, why go looking for one?
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