Fun With Elbows …

[BillyMac]

Disclaimer: For IAABO Eyes Only: Below is not a NFHS interpretation, it's only an IAABO International interpretation which obviously doesn't mean a hill of beans to most members of this Forum.

https://storage.googleapis.com/refqu...2FIE%2Bg%3D%3D

IAABO International Play Commentary
This is an intentional foul. If a player swings elbows excessively, (faster than the rest of the player’s torso), and contacts an opponent, it is at a minimum an intentional foul. If the contact is severe or the player ‘measures up’ the opponent, it is flagrant. (2012-13 POE) In this play, Red #35 swings her elbows in at a pace that exceeds the speed of the torso. This should be ruled an intentional personal foul. Officials only have rules support to rule this incidental contact or a common foul (player control foul) if the player's elbow was stationary when the contact occurred. A stationary elbow is defined as an elbow that is not moving faster than the rest of the player’s torso. (2012-13 POE)

Here is the breakdown of the IAABO members that commented on the video: Intentional Foul 36% (including me), Incidental Contact 23%, Common Foul 22%, Flagrant Foul 19%.

While I can understand the difference of opinion between an intentional foul or a flagrant foul, the percentage of commentators who believe this to be a common foul, or incidental contact, is disheartening. When will the NFHS learn that an eight year old Point of Emphasis that doesn’t make its way permanently into the rulebook is a recipe for disaster? How are inexperienced or rookie officials supposed to know this interpretation?

Stupid NFHS.