This is my second year of officiating...My partner and I have established a good working relationship and feel we do a pretty good job at all levels. We are still unsure of what our signal should be for an illegal screen. This seems to happen often in a game. Is this a block? Is this a push?

I typically call a push and then verbally say "illegal screen #34"! and at the same time I give a push signal. IS THIS CORRECT?

90% of the time I use a block because the illegal screen was just not setting up properly. e.g. Not giving the step. The only time I use the push is if he actually pushed off or used his hands while setting the screen.

The illegal screen mechanic should be to give the block signal. The screener is hindering the defense by blocking a path to the dribbler or offensive player.

Hey, Tim,
A push can be called when the Screener is moving toward the defender, also. I mostly call pushes with above the waist contact, and blocks with lower body contacts.
mick

Thanks mick. I thought about that after I posted. Good point.

Do you only ever work with one other official?

Just wondering...

Yes...for the girls season and in the smaller schools. For the bigger schools; we work a 3 man

illegal screen
 

Might suggest that the verbage of "illegal screen" be eliminated from your game. The mechanics tell all you need to tell, excessive verbage tends to appear as if you are trying to justify your call

I'd disagree with that. Block is associated with blocking and charging. Therefore I use the block signal but verbalize it was an illegal screen. That way the coaches know what they have to teach the kid the next time they have practice.

I agree, Tim, both with using the "block" signal and verbally calling it an illegal screen. It's not excessive verbiage (it's only two words), and it very clearly communicates what occurred. Most veterans I've seen do it that way as well. [BTW, a charge would use the "push" signal, not the "block" signal.]

[Edited by Todd VandenAkker on Oct 27th, 2000 at 03:38 PM]

I agree. I ment to say that the coach is used to associating the block call with the block/charge context, not illegal screen. That is why it must be verbalized.

I getcha. Right on!

The screen is not illegal it's the contact that results from that screen. It must be called as a Block! I would not use a push signal.

If the screener set's and the screenie push's his way through then that would be a push!

Good luck.

But sometimes it is a push and not an illegal screen.

You're correct that the contact makes it illegal, but I think illegal screen is still the proper term. Just don't call it a moving screen.

illegal screen
 

If you want to distinguish a "block" from an "illegal screen", show the block signal and then indicate the new direction of the ball, then everyone knows that the foul is against the offense. Verbalizing is nice, but in a large noisy gym, it is difficult for everyone to hear you. Pointing in the new ball direction lets everyone know what is going on.

Cheers,
David

Good point, Dave. That's the mechanic I use, too. I usually verbalize the "illegal screen" part to the player, but always when I report to the table so they and the coaches are clear on what I had. But you're right, by pointing the other way most people already know that's probably what happened (though it could also include a couple of other calls on the offense as well).

Definition = rule 4 Section 7 Art 1 Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent.

Rule 4 Sections 39 Art 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 give's you the different "LEGAL" means to screen a player without causing contact.

There is no Mention of an "illegal Screen" that i can find in the rule book. I was taught that there is "no such thing as an illegal Screen only the contact that results from that screen."

I have heard coaches and fans screaming "ILLEGAL SCREEN"
"ILLEGAL SCREEN" when there is no such thing and no such
mechanic.

Keep the block signal, and use the push signal when the screenie pushes his way through the screen.

Good Luck All,

Your fans most be a lot smarter than our fans down here in the lower 48! Most have no idea what constitutes illegal contact on a screen. They think that a huge collision is an illegal screen.

But I don't think "Illegal Contact!" or "Block!" conveys to the fans, players or coaches that we had illegal contact on a screen. I think you're just playing with the semantics.

Personal preference is "Illegal Screen!" for me. It's certainly not in the same class as "Over the back!", which I will never use. But I'm not going to change your mind and you're not going to change mine.

Take care Don!

Tony

Of course there is such a thing as an illegal screen, and of course it involves contact that is, by definition, illegal. The proper SIGNAL for it is "block," but an illegally or improperly set screen that results in contact is a foul and can justifiably be verbalized as an illegal screen. Obviously we're not going to (purposely) whistle a screen that does NOT result in contact. The Rules Book itself refers to "legal action by a player" (4-39-1) and "legal screening position" (4-39-2, 10-6-3d), so it's not much of a stretch to call an IL-legal screen. The infamous "over-the-back" call, by contrast, is much less precise, does not specifically refer to or distinguish between illegal vs. legal contact, and thus should be avoided. Verbalizing "illegal screen" does not, IMHO, entail those faults and DOES convey a specific illegal action.