Rich is right...
 

A few months ago there was a discussion about consistent calls on both ends. I kind of recall, and he will correct me if I am wrong, Rich saying that he doesn't believe in calling the same fouls on both ends or something to the effect, call what you see.

At the time, I think my response was only to say, if we have the same exact play on one end and then have it on the other, we should have the same call.

Well last night, working a game with a partner who seemed to think that consistency on both ends, meant making sure that we call fouls on both teams so the foul count is even.

I know realize that consistency can mean different things to different people. This led to a spirited debate and the net of it all, is that I agree with Rich. Call what you see.

Here's what I will tell you, be aware of what each other is calling. Calling what you see sounds nice BUT , here's a prime example:

I see travel pretty well. My regular partners don't. The euro step described by Chris Paul on u tube is travel. I can see it. I could call it. but many college partners won't. Does not do me or game any good be the only person calling it. I see it, but don't call it much in college now.

Other area, Block charge- I don't split hairs on block charge. I will lean to charge. Hard to get kids to stand in and when they do I call charge. If you have similar play at other end I'd like for you to call charge,don't split hairs. Now I also say if I blow one completely that doesn't count. I don't expect or want you to do that.

Finally, I don't worry about foul counts at all. If you have 6 fouks early and continue to foul I will call them all. Laying off calling fouks leads to clusters. Been there done that. What I will say is concentrate so if team with only one or two fouls you don't miss it. I've had coaches say fouks are 5 to 1 etc. my standard response is SO.

BC makes a great point here. Which is why it's important to discuss with your partners any close or questionable call (can be at halftime, between quarters, during timeouts, etc). That way you can get on the same page about calls and be consistent as a crew.

My response is, "You need to have more points than the other team to win the game, not fouks.":D

That works...but I like SO and standing waiting for the reply.

This makes my brain hurt.

But I've seen games where one team was out of control, but the ref team seemed to get tired of calling them for so many fouls and let stuff go while calling pickier fouls on the other team. Utter nonsense. (And I freely admit tht the view from the stands could lead to the perception when it isn't the case, but the guys like your partner essentially admit that they do that.)

I'm not kicking a block/charge just cause I have partners who do. I think officials think too much sometimes.

While we have to be consistent on levels of contact permitted, etc. I'm not thinking I have to get a charge because my partner called one. That's just idiotic.

Let me make another point on this -- as an assigner, I'm occasionally sent plays from a game. If I'm sent a block/charge play I don't give a flying fig about the past three of them. Nor will the coach/AD sending me the play.

Plays are like snowflakes. None are exactly alike.

Nobody said you make the same bad calls. In fact, BC said "now I also say if I blow one completely that doesn't count. I don't expect or want you to do that".

Nobody wants you to kick a block/charge because I do. I don't ask partners to take that bullet. There are 50/50 calls...and you're right, if we split hairs..they are like snowflakes. None exactly the same. I'd add that people are like snowflakes. None exactly the same. If you have a 50/50 call on one
end and call block, if I have a 50/50 on the other i'm going block. I will be aware of your call.

If I know you blew the call it wouldn't enter my mind the next chance it comes up. I understand your point of view. I just choose what I've outlined. I agree with it and have heard it for a long time.

Why would one "discuss any close or questionable calls" though?

I'd rather spend the time talking about plays that just didn't fit the pattern of most of the otner calls. Those might not be close calls. And ones that are just kicked? We're not going to be perfect.

I've seen too many calls made because of previous calls. Ever work with someone who calls an illegal screen just because you called one at the other end?

You're right. There is certainly that danger. I can see younger/less experience taking it too far. I guess as an assigner you probably see that a lot.

I was sent film once that had 5 block/charge calls in a game.

All were called charges. 4 were ICs.

I'm slow. What is ICs? Thx

Incorrect calls.

Correction. I'm very slow...

The biggest problem with this practice is it's best if only used by experienced officials who actually know what it means. That's not how it plays out, though. In reality, people get a hold of the theory and don't know what it means, so then they start doing stupid crap like evening up the foul count.

Worrying about the foul count is the worst thing, I agree. It's usually all about the playing style of the teams. I had a game several years ago that at the end of the first quarter home was ahead 22-4. The foul count was home 7, visitors 0.

But looking at a block charge play and considering the last play before making the call is not far behind, in my opinion.

I think you certainly should consider/be aware of the previous block charge play. Does not mean screw it up just because I did earlier. Two wrongs certainly doesn't make it right. But if mine was 50/50 and yours is also 50/50 , meaning could go either way, (those do exist) involving other team, be good if you had similar call.

I think Rich and Adam are right that there's potential for screwup and best used by experienced officials.

Maybe this will help the original poster, it's not evening up the foul count, but more in line with being consistent. I had an evaluater at a camp tell me this a few years ago.

If an official calls a foul, then contact on the other end that is equal to or greater than what was just called should be called. If an official passes on a foul, contact that is less or equal to what was just passed on should be passed on.

This evaluater was talking about being consistent as a crew.

I agree with that but the plays have to be the same. Contact on a dribbler on one end needs to be same as on dribbbler on other end. Can't compare contact allowed on dribbler or posting up to contact on a shooter. I know you know that.

Correct.

I would change this. Equal contact doesn't always have equal effect, even if both plays are dribblers.

Advantage/disadvantage means there can be considerable contact without a foul called. Can also mean that a small amount of contact is a foul because of the effect on the play.

I think that games take on a certain feel or character and the thing is you don't want to make a call or pass on a call out of line with how the game is being called.

This is the art of officiating and it's easier said than done.