Billy, please post 10.5.5A -f. That’s probably too much to ask but each one of those plays shows no FTs shot if bench folks leaving bench for each team same.

This is impossible to administer but it is what rule says..

The statements to the effect of having equal numbers are within each of sections on participating and not participating. That suggests the two counts are independent.

There is no overall statement saying participants and non-participants offset each other or all team members coming off the bench offset.

Again, the only statements about offsetting are within the context of whether the players participate or not.

See 10.5.5 section A. The fouls are treated same for FT purposes. If same number leaves bench there will be no FTs. Even if some more participate for one side in fight. The penalty is more indirects to coach if his kids leave bench and participate.

that *can* be true in some circumstances, but it's not a universal truth.

Each case play says if number leaving bench is same there will be no FTS. Participating gives coach indirects and possibly ejected.

For The Common Good ...
 

It appears you're correct. Looking specifically at (c) in that case:

The ruling then does say "No FTs...." and adds:

Great, this is precisely why I posted this thread. I thank BigCat for his help in clarifying how to handle those leaving the benches whether they participate in the altercation or merely observe. I did not have a clear understanding of that.

10.5.5 SITUATION F: It appears a fight may occur on the playing court when (a) A6 and A7; or (b) A6 and B6 leave their respective benches. RULING: In (a) and (b), all players leaving the bench are assessed flagrant fouls and disqualified. The respective head coach is assessed a maximum of one indirect technical foul (regardless of the number of players leaving the bench) resulting in the loss of coaching-box privileges. In (a), Team B is awarded two free throws and the ball for a division line throw-in. In (b), no free throws are awarded and the ball is put into play at the point of interruption. (4-36)

No bench players fought in this play. Max of one indirect. If bench players leave AND participate coach gets more indirects..

Thank you. Good read.

New And Improved ...
 

I actually came up with an newer version combining my local boards guidelines with the guidelines that Camron Rust posted earlier:

Fighting - Rule & Penalties
Be aware of signs of escalating tempers, gestures, actions, words from players, coaches and possibly spectators. Penalize when discovered, no warnings are necessary. Warnings most times carry little weight. Technical fouls and double technical fouls are deterrents. Our stripes are the deterrents! Get yourself close to the situation. In situations where rough activity might follow (players diving for loose balls, hard contact fouls, held ball situations, player(s) being knocked to the court), when you blow your whistle remain at the scene. Don’t over-react but pause before leaving to report a foul or signaling a violation.

Fighting is a flagrant act and can occur when the ball is dead or live. Fighting includes, but is not limited to acts such as:
- An attempt to strike, punch or kick an opponent with a fist, hands, arms,
leg or feet regardless of whether contact is made.
- An attempt to instigate a fight by committing unsporting acts toward an
opponent that causes an opponent to retaliate by fighting.

Rule 10 Fighting Penalty Summary
a. Players on the court:
(1) Corresponding number from each team – double flagrant fouls, all participants are disqualified, no
free throws are awarded, ball is put in play at the point of interruption (use the alternating possession arrow to resume play if there is no player/team control).

(2) Numbers of participants are not corresponding – Flagrant fouls and disqualification for all
participants, two free throws are awarded for the offended team for each additional player, offended
team awarded a division line throw in.

b. Bench personnel leaving the team bench during a fight or when a fight may break out:
(1) Do not participate in the fight – nonparticipants are assessed flagrant fouls and disqualified. The
head coach is assessed a maximum of one indirect technical foul (regardless of the number leaving the
bench). If the number leaving the bench for each team is corresponding, no free throws are awarded,
and the ball is put in play at the point of interruption. If the number leaving the bench for each team is
unequal, a maximum of two free throws are awarded the offended team, followed by a division line
throw-in opposite the table.

(2) Participate in the fight – all participants are assessed flagrant fouls and disqualified. The head coach
is assessed one indirect technical foul for each person leaving the bench and participating in the fight. If
the number leaving the bench for each team is corresponding, no free throws are awarded, and the ball
is put in play at the point of interruption. If the number leaving the bench for each team is unequal, two
free throws are awarded the offended team for each additional person leaving the bench, followed by a
division line throw-in opposite the table.

Note: All fouls (except an indirect technical foul charged to the head coach) count toward the team's
foul count in the half.

Administration to determine the order of incidents.
1. Layer the play from start to finish.
2. Determine first the actions on the court with the players in the game during the live ball and / or
dead ball period in which the initial incident occurred.
3. Determine players leaving the bench and not participating in a fight.
4. Determine players leaving the bench and participating in a fight.

Reminders
1. Players or bench personnel who are ejected due to fighting are ejected to the bench area, not the locker room.
2. When fighting by bench personnel leads to coach ejection, the coach must go the locker room.
6. Do not get physical with the players, bench personnel or coaches.

After the chaos officials should convene near mid-court as a crew to discuss the situation and maintain bench supervision. Do not allow coaches to enter this discussion. Ask for input from other game officials (scorers and timer) as you deem appropriate. Get the numbers of the fighters. Apply the rules and know exactly what you are going to say when you call both head coaches together to explain the situation. This is not a discussion period. Tell coaches they will be able to include their discussion points in their follow-up report and that our charge is to resume play in a safe environment and in a timely manner. If you do not believe you are able to resume play in a safe environment, write pertinent information in the scorebook and suspend the game. Report to your assignment commissioner after game concludes.

11/8/19