Flopsey, Mopsey and Cottontail

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally posted by Dan_ref

How's that again?

I think Snaq's response is spot on. If the contact displaces the defender, that's one thing. Give him the PC foul. But if the contact didn't displace him, and he flopped to try and elicit a foul call, that's "contact and still have a flop". I have a hard time giving him the PC on this one.

There have been a few responses talking about a player ducking for cover, etc. on this play and implying that he is playing legal defense we shouldn't call a block just because of the flop. IMHO this behavior is/can be a significant game control issue.

The flopper is using deception and coercion attempting to get a call he isn't entitled to. I say coercion because he is trying to put the hapless official in the position of having to call something because there are bodies on the floor. He's trying the use the "rules" against us. We all know how this can incite coaches, players and fans. And the entire brouhaha comes about because the defender flopped.

Don't get me wrong, if the defender flops, but the offender still makes signficant contact, we probably need to have the PC foul on that. But short of that, if you have to have a call on a flop, don't reward the defender. He'll only keep doing it if he feels he's successful.

Some people suggest warning on this. If you can no-call it and warn him and/or his coach, great. However, if you give the defender the call then warn him, even if he doesn't do it again, he's still gotten away with one. He played you and won.