Out-of-control Player Punches Referee

leomazzoleni

I heard about it, but I did't watch the video of the incident. The link our friend gave us is not working anymore. Could anyone send to my e-mail a good link to this video or the video file itself?

Thanks, a lot.

NICK

pity, could not get to the link, although I do have a short .9mb video of a player punching a referee in Uruguay in a basketball game.

TravelinMan

Originally posted by Bradley Batt
I wanted to call your attention to a story just posted on eReferee involving an American player on an Argentinean team punching out an official.

After being given a technical foul the player confronted the official and sucker punched him - knocking him unconcious. The referee is still recovering from a broken jaw an possible blindness.

There is more about this event, including photos and video, at the following link: http://www.ereferee.com/index.cgi?category=basketball&page=outofcontrol

Do you know the player's name?

leomazzoleni

From what I heard in the video, it sounds like "Elness Bowling", american player, playing for an argentinian team.

Brad

I've updated the original post to include the correct link.

lrpalmer3

I'm a young athletic official and I could defend myself (at least temporarily) against this sort of attack with one clause, if I was prepared. I've had players and coaches walk aggressively toward me and it takes every bit of control to avoid getting in a defensive fighting position. Lucky for me, I haven't been attacked. But as an official, are we obligated to "take a blow"?

That sounds like a rediculous statement, but the alternative is be fight ready. And there's no way to be fight ready without looking like it.

Snake~eyes

Originally posted by lrpalmer3
I'm a young athletic official and I could defend myself (at least temporarily) against this sort of attack with one clause, if I was prepared. I've had players and coaches walk aggressively toward me and it takes every bit of control to avoid getting in a defensive fighting position. Lucky for me, I haven't been attacked. But as an official, are we obligated to "take a blow"?

That sounds like a rediculous statement, but the alternative is be fight ready. And there's no way to be fight ready without looking like it.

Doesn't sound ridiculous to me, depnds on who it is and how serious it is, but if he swings he's live game. And if I were you I wouldn't take the blow.

lrpalmer3

It's hard to avoid a blow when you're trying to look poised. That's the problem. Do I get ready for a fight by clinching fist and turning into a fighting stance or do I try to stay calm looking? Keep in mind, I'm no ninja.

Snake~eyes

Keep poised and as soon as he gets in your face eject him and your partner should help with that(strength in numbers).

OverAndBack

Tell you what - I'm not taking a blow. At that moment, I'm like anyone else. And we'll sort it out later.

Player, fan, coach - doesn't matter. They come at me, they're going down. And that's the last time I officiate. It's not worth it.

Long ago someone told me it was better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

ChrisSportsFan

I agree, someones getting a 13 in the rear. I think patience is key here. We've all seen basketball fights. Noisy, several people, little bumping and NO PUNCHES. I'd hate to have someone bluffing and I start throwing. Although, if they have no business on the floor, then they get what's coming. Several states have laws in place regarding assaulting refs/umps. Hopefully, the games that have a higher risk of this happening will have more game mgmt and badges.

lrpalmer3

Originally posted by ChrisSportsFan
I agree, someones getting a 13 in the rear. I think patience is key here. We've all seen basketball fights. Noisy, several people, little bumping and NO PUNCHES. I'd hate to have someone bluffing and I start throwing. Although, if they have no business on the floor, then they get what's coming. Several states have laws in place regarding assaulting refs/umps. Hopefully, the games that have a higher risk of this happening will have more game mgmt and badges.

I guess that's what I hope never happens, someone bluffs and I throw.

TravelinMan

Originally posted by Brad
I've updated the original post to include the correct link.

Brad, thanks. Will you also pay for my subscription so I can view it? 🙂 Or at least tell me the player's name. Thanks. (correctly spelled - Nobody named Bowling)
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