Grasp Ring to avoid injury

[Mark Dexter]

On a related subject . . . .

I had a similar play come up during camp this summer. I didn't see it (as I was L at the time), but I discussed the situation with my partners for the next game - we had very different responses.



A1 goes up for a dunk. Ball bounces high off the rim, and A1 grabs the ring to prevent injury. While A1 is still holding the rim, the ball drops back down through. Coach B goes balistic, wanting a BI call - I explain that I didn't see it, but if A1 was grabbing the rim, he'd be right. In discussing it before the next game (with a different crew), my partners said they wouldn't call the BI because A1 was protecting himself. My justification - it's still BI because there's no protection exception for contacting the rim/basket.

Any other thoughts?