Forgot B1s Number
 

A1 drives to the basket and is fouled by B1. While headed to the reporting area, the official forgets B1s number and cannot identify him on the court. What rule do you apply if the officials cannot determine who fouled A1?

Not sure about rule but I can speak to the process. Ask your partners, ask the scorers table, ask the players, ask the coaches in that order. If you still can't figure out the right player then charge a team foul and no player foul.

You can always ask the official scorer...half the time they already recorded it.

Thank you, I've never seen this outlined before, in the times I've had to deal with this situation, a partner had it for me as soon as I look confused, and I've often wondered what to do if I didn't have someone there saving my butt.

I'm not sure about the wisdom of asking players or coaches. I have no problem with checking with the table, then, failing help there, just recording the team foul. I'd rather live with that than make up who the offender might have been.

It happens. It has happened to me believe it or not. Last time, I reported it on the dribbler. Table didn't know so I went to the players. They all stood there with nothing. I said, "c'mon fess up or I'm giving it to him (pointing at their best player)." All of a sudden a hand went up, "it was me."

I thought I was the only one that ever did this. Had it happen on a high school age rec league and all we could do was report a team foul. Hopefully will have more help from more experienced officials in a higher level game.

Sorry Partner ...
 

Not from me. As the noncalling official, previously paying attention to my primary coverage area, I'm more concerned about figuring out whether, or not, we're shooting free throws, and if not, where the ball will be put into play, and if there will be free throws, who will shoot them, rather than who the fouler is.

Hopefully I WILL communicate who is shooting or where the ball will be put in play.

I am not exactly answering the question however, this is why an official is to verbally indicate the offender when a foul occurs. Players and partners can hear it and there is a better chance of recall if you get to the table and forget.

I've Got The Shooter ...
 

And I'll make sure that the right player ends up on the line. We've got some real sneaky coaches here in my little corner of Connecticut (not as many since many of the grizzled old timers retired, but we've still got some).