[JRutledge]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Some of your complaints Jake80 is judgement. I cannot tell on a computer screen what handchecking is. You were there and unless there was displacement, there is no handchecking by rule.[/B]

New officials,please ignore the above statement.It is wrong.More experienced officials should already know that.Instead,take a look at p.68 of the rule book for this year's POE's.It details how the FED wants it called. Note the section "Rough Play'-4A(Hands Off)-and the statement "the measuring up of an opponent(tagging) IS hand checking,is not permitted,and is a FOUL". Displacement of a player is not germane or applicable in this particular instance.You might want to check with your local rules interpreter as to how strictly he may want it called,but it IS handchecking by rule,displacement IS not involved,and the NFHS rules committee IS recommending that it be called.

[/B][/QUOTE]

On page 68 of the NF Rulebook the NF makes it clear that Rule 4-27 applies to contact. Yes, they do not want hands on the dribblier, but any official worth his salt is not calling just a touch on a dribbler. That is where judgement comes in. If you are calling a touch and you have no displacement or no affect on a play, you might be watching more games than you are officiating. Maybe in your area that is permitted, but even in Women's College which has the most strict rule on handchecking, does not just say touching is handchecking. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read from you. There has to be some displacement or you will be calling handchecking all night. If a defender is getting beat and they touch them, I am not taking away a layup because they touched them. I am not taking away a open pass because the defender touched them. Handchecking has never been just a touch. You still have to use some kind of advantage disadvantage, the rule always backs that up. Rule 4-27 refers to all contact, not just all contact and then handchecking is the expection.

Peace