Ball-handlers / Freedom of Movement

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I called several hand checks in a scrimmage yesterday. No coach complained to me, and most yelled at their player, "Keep your hands off the ball handler".

I had a three-team scrimmage this past Friday and one team came out particularly aggressive on defense. I had to call 2-3 hand checks or arm bars early-on; at one point, I said "hands off the ball handler" after calling one. To their credit, the players adapted to to the calls.

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

And you guys are still doing scrimmages into December?

Here, the girls season started this past week. Boys start tomorrow. My first HS level game is Tuesday. Let the fun begin.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

The "rules changes" that have been implemented the last two years really have not changed anything but to encourage officials to turn back the clock at least forty (if not more) years with respect to how the game should be officiated.

For me, I haven't changed how I called fouls for the last forty-five years. It is the responsibility of the officials to call the game per the rules and the players should play the game per the rules.

MTD, Sr.

[OKREF]

Why are people acting like this is new this year? This was a rule and emphasis last year.

[grunewar]

We're starting our second week of games in NVA and just ended a few Kick-Off Tournaments.

IMO I think the players have adjusted pretty well and it's good to see them playing D at a distance. When we do call the foul for "hands," many times the coach just reiterates the point, "You can't do that" or "Stop with the hands." The sub-V teams and lessor talented and slower players have more problems, as they get beat more often and will stick out their hands to slow the defender down - one of the purposes of the emphasis.

I do believe I've called more fouls "on the block" though, but that's probably me adjusting and calling what I should have called all along.

[goodros_nemesis]

Compared to two years ago, the difference is night and day. We have coaches complaining more that it doesn't get called enough, and a lot of coaches railing on the players to keep their hands off. Makes our job a little easier...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by goodros_nemesis

Compared to two years ago, the difference is night and day. We have coaches complaining more that it doesn't get called enough, and a lot of coaches railing on the players to keep their hands off. Makes our job a little easier...

That is why the "rule" helped. Actually the first year this rule was put in place I had many coaches saying, "You cannot do that anymore" to their players. As you said, we get more crap when we do not call a foul than when we actually call a foul. Even when coaches are upset, they often direct their attitude towards the players.

Peace

[Welpe]

Gotcha, that makes more sense now.

[Mregor]

Originally Posted by Rich

So, how are things going with the rules around freedom of movement for ball handlers?

We had a boys varsity team yesterday who routinely commits 30+ fouls a game. And yesterday might have been the worst we've seen - they ended up with 39 fouls (the other team had 23). 68 free throws in the game. 4 of their players fouled out.

It's almost like they hope the officials will back down after a while rather than adjust their style of play. Maybe some do.

Gotta say, it wasn't the most fun I've ever had officiating.

Similar here. Started game 5 mins early so I thought I'd be home early. Visitor had 7 kids foul out. Finished with 4. I don't ever recall a varsity game where I had 4 finish. Coach whined a lot. I asked him which fouls was not really a foul. Silence. No adjustment. All our fault. Got him at home in Jan too.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by Mregor

Similar here. Started game 5 mins early so I thought I'd be home early. Visitor had 7 kids foul out. Finished with 4. I don't ever recall a varsity game where I had 4 finish. Coach whined a lot. I asked him which fouls was not really a foul. Silence. No adjustment. All our fault. Got him at home in Jan too.

At least you'll get to see if he's made any adjustments during the month he's had to prepare to see you again.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mregor

Visitor had 7 kids foul out. Finished with 4. I don't ever recall a varsity game where I had 4 finish.

I never worked a varsity game even remotely similar. I never observed a varsity game even remotely similar.

Karma? What did you do to deserve this? It must have been something real bad.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mregor

Similar here. Started game 5 mins early so I thought I'd be home early. Visitor had 7 kids foul out. Finished with 4. I don't ever recall a varsity game where I had 4 finish. Coach whined a lot. I asked him which fouls was not really a foul. Silence. No adjustment. All our fault. Got him at home in Jan too.

Still working 2 in Arizona?

100% 3-person this year. Finally.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

Still working 2 in Arizona?

100% 3-person this year. Finally.

I have gone years without working a single 2 person game in Illinois and that has been the case for like 18 years.

Peace