Caitlin Clark Technical Foul ...

[BillyMac]

https://x.com/i/status/1825272545471266902

After missing a shot on the other end of the court in the third quarter, the ball went out of play with Clark defending. Clark wasn't happy with herself and slapped the stanchion in frustration. The referee watching Clark didn't let this slide and gave her a technical foul for the emotional outburst.

I'm not a Caitlin Clark apologist, but I'm not a big fan of this call.

In my high school games, if I'm certain that a player is frustrated with their own mistake and is not frustrated with me, or my partner, I will pass on a technical foul, maybe just give an oral warning.

But of course, this is the WNBA, not a high school game.

[JRutledge]

So if she threw the ball, would that be OK?

Peace

[FlasherZ]

IMO, borderline but acceptable because it involved the equipment for the playing court / game. I wouldn't support a tech if it was slapping the padding of a chair on the bench after she was pulled out, or if it was just raw emotion expressed at herself without physical moves on the equipment.

[Raymond]

There is a rule in the NBA and WNBA about striking equipment.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Raymond

There is a rule in the NBA and WNBA about striking equipment.

Smaller staff and they have mandates about things we never discuss. So doing that is not something they have to look up in a rulebook. They have been told this is what you do when that happens.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

So if she threw the ball, would that be OK

In my high school game, if she slammed the ball down and immediately caught it on the way up, I might consider just an oral warning, but if she actually threw the ball into the crowd, that would be a technical foul in my high school game.

Again, I have to be certain that a player is frustrated with their own mistake and is not frustrated with me, or my partner.

Since we don't read minds, that may not be easy to accomplish, and I would have to rely on my forty-plus years of experience, and possibly still some up with the wrong conclusion for the action of the player.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

But of course, this is the WNBA, not a high school game.

Originally Posted by Raymond

There is a rule in the NBA and WNBA about striking equipment.

Thanks Raymond, good explanation.

I can't fault, or criticize, the WNBA official in the video.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

In my high school game, if she slammed the ball down and immediately caught it on the way up, I might consider just an oral warning ...

Now, in my high school game, if she slammed the ball down and didn't catch it on the way up, allowing it to go several feet into the air, that's another "had to be there" story, and I'm probably leaning toward charging a technical foul.

This is why basketball officials get paid the big bucks, to make such decisions in the heat of the moment in a very fast paced game.

As usual, check you local listings, and of course, "When in Rome ...".

[justacoach]

I will get an informed answer...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by justacoach

I will get an informed answer...

Sunday, August 18, 2024 Seattle at Indiana