Off-Ball Foul into Shooter

[TheMac]

First time commenter, long time listener as they say. Looking for an NFHS ruling here.

I have been a varsity ref about 12 years but saw something in a replay I could not explain to a coach on the sideline if I had to. A1 attempts a 3 point try when B1 pushes A2 into A1 while A1 is still an airborne shooter. Ruling?

[partial spoiler + noob answer] This comes from the USA vs Serbia SF Olympic game with 7:20 to play in the 4th. While we can see what they called (different rulesets ofc), if this happened in my game I would award the ball OOB to team A (and score the try if successful). However, I could also see coaches trying to argue for a shooting foul, and while I don't think there was one, there's no real rule for me to quote.

"Impossible to prove a negative," I think I'd say. Sound thinking or something else to be called?

[JRutledge]

You cannot foul another player whom you did not contact. This can only be a foul on B1 for pushing A2.

Now, to send a twist to this play. If you felt they were purposely pushing A2, why not call an intentional foul? They clearly were trying to disrupt the shot if you feel they were doing it on purpose.

But it must be noted that A1 still gets the basket if made, as the foul happened during the continuous-motion portion, so the basket could count if it goes in. But only A2 could shoot if they were in the bonus or you do what I suggest and call the intentional foul.

Peace

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You cannot foul another player whom you did not contact. This can only be a foul on B1 for pushing A2.

Now, to send a twist to this play. If you felt they were purposely pushing A2, why not call an intentional foul? They clearly were trying to disrupt the shot if you feel they were doing it on purpose.

But it must be noted that A1 still gets the basket if made, as the foul happened during the continuous-motion portion, so the basket could count if it goes in. But only A2 could shoot if they were in the bonus or you do what I suggest and call the intentional foul.

Peace

👍

MTD, Sr.