Fun With Creating Separation …

[bob jenkins]

As a group, I think that we tend to "let more go" during throw-in plays than during other aspects of the game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I find that small nudges, tiny pushes, short extension of arms, minor holds, etc. (not even considering screens), on inbounds plays, usually by the offense; often planned, predetermined, and practiced; and executed deliberately and intentionally; to be among the most difficult contact plays for me to adjudicate.

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

As a group, I think that we tend to "let more go" during throw-in plays than during other aspects of the game.

Thank you for saying out loud what I have always secretly thought and was afraid to say out loud.

Why do we do this?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

As a group, I think that we tend to "let more go" during throw-in plays than during other aspects of the game.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Why do we do this?

... because in a two person game (as are most high school level games and below), while one official is watching the inbounder (counting five, watching the line, watching a single defender), the other official has to watch eight players all moving in multiple directions over a very expansive area, purposely trying to block each other to prevent each other from going where they want to go, and purposely trying to create space, resulting in the non-administering official just looking for the most egregious behavior?

Could that be why?

[RefRich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

... because in a two person game (as are most high school level games and below),

How many states are still using two-person on the varsity level? I don't remember the last time I worked two-person on a varsity game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RefRich

How many states are still using two-person on the varsity level? I don't remember the last time I worked two-person on a varsity game.

Don't know, but let's not be varsity-centric. Just looking at interscholastic games alone there are a lot of junior varsity, freshman, and middle school games that probably only use two officials. Add in recreation (adult and youth), travel, AAU, etc., and the percentage of games officiated by only two officials below the collegiate level becomes enormous.

[RefRich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Don't know, but let's not be varsity-centric. Just looking at interscholastic games alone there are a lot of junior varsity, freshman, and middle school games that probably only use two officials. Add in recreation (adult and youth), travel, AAU, etc., and the percentage of games officiated by only two officials below the collegiate level becomes enormous.

Good point!