"Hit?" or "Illegal use..."

[tcmzueck]

Hey all,

Relatively new official here looking for some guidance.

When a player drives to the basket and there is contact with his/her arms, I often see officials use the "illegal use of the hands" mechanic, then verbalize "hit, two shots".

As far as I know there isn't a "hit" foul, nor mechanic. What is the most proper way to report this type of foul?

[Scrapper1]

There's no need to verbalize the type of foul at the table. Say the color and number; give the signal for the type of foul; and then indicate what will happen next (2 shots/1-and-1/possession).

[ballgame99]

Not saying its right or wrong, but I either say "on the arm" or "here" as I make the chop motion to the arm.

[Raymond]

Often I'll say what they actually did--"hits his elbow", "grabbed his arm", "hit to the face", etc.

That is frowned upon by some, but it works for me.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Often I'll say what they actually did--"hits his elbow", "grabbed his arm", "hit to the face", etc.

That is frowned upon by some, but it works for me.

When I started I was taught to say "Hit" at the table but the last couple of years, I have gone to this. I like it better and it is more descriptive. I've even gone off the reservation a couple of times - gasp - and done the "hit to the head" unofficial signal.

Of course I was also taught to provide a full verbal report of the foul with preliminary signal at the spot of the foul before going to the table and I definitely don't do that anymore either.

While this isn't by the book, I have never received feedback that it was unclear what I was calling.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

There's no need to verbalize the type of foul at the table. Say the color and number; give the signal for the type of foul; and then indicate what will happen next (2 shots/1-and-1/possession).

This.

No verbal needed of the type of foul at the table.

[bainsey]

Roman Law. Do what your supervisors tell you.

We say "illegal use" here, but that's here.

[JRutledge]

This is a supervisor issue. No one really cares that much either way.

I will say this, I do not say the rulebook term, I say what exactly happened. For example, if he was hit in the head, I say, "Hit in the head with the left arm." I will say, "Hit his right elbow before the shot." I hardly ever have to explain the type of foul or why I called a foul. Usually, a coach will argue that something else happens, but they know what I called. Learned this at a camp over 10 years ago and have been doing that ever since.

Peace

[VaTerp]

A verbal isnt needed but doesn't hurt either.

I usually, and my main HS association mainly encourages, saying what happened. For example, for two hand hand check we are told to verbalize, "two hands."

And like others have mentioned, I usually just say what happened,"hit on the head", "body", "on the elbow" or a number of other terms that you will not find in a manual.

For someone starting out I would not worry much about this. I'd observe the behaviors of other officials who work the schedule you aspire to work, find out if your supervisor has any strong preferences, and then do what makes you comfortable.