What's a foul these days?

[Starman311]

Over the last few years in Minnesota large high school basketball, I've noticed that the game is getting rougher and rougher. I've played basketball at both the high school and the division 1 college level. I've coached and officiated. But I'm just astonished at what the game has become. It is to the point now where there is constant hand checking and holding in defending the ball, blatant shoving, leaning, and pushing on rebounding positions and post defense, and significant contact allowed when defending or attempting to block a shot. Its gotten to the point where a foul is now a judgement call. And often times the foul is called on "touch" situations during an attempted shot or drive yet significantly more violent and "contact" defense is ignored entirely.

I should fairly add, however, that this is not always the case. But it does seem to be the scenario in most games I've watched over the last few years, with a trend toward allowing more contact over the last year, epecially in games involving very good teams. Also, I notice that again this will vary somewhat between officials. Some officials will not tolerate this type of contact on a consistent basis, but most do and, more accurately, seem to encourage it.

What is happening out there from the officating training and policy that is being encouraged these days? Is this the definite trend that is occuring? Does this vary between states? I and many I've talked with are very disappointed with this trend. Is there any movement to return back to what basketball really was meant to be where good offensive skills were rewarded and solid, intelligent, and legal defense is encouraged?