Quote:
Originally Posted by just another ref
I see this the same as intentional grounding. If there is (was) a player "in the vicinity", no violation. If this player is all alone with the defender and obviously drops the ball because he is avoiding a blocked shot, I have an immediate violation.
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I like that analogy. If there's any chance whatsoever that the action could be construed as a pass (no matter how ugly), then in my opinion the player gets the benefit of the doubt. Of course he then can't be the first to touch it if he had already ended a dribble (9-5-3).
If, however, you're 100% sure he was avoiding something (blocked shot or travel)
and the ball goes more or less straight down toward the floor, then I have a travel (for releasing the ball on a dribble after the pivot foot has been lifted).
Judgment call.