Grabbing Jerseys

[Nevadaref]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

Yes.

I don't think that the FED has changed their focus on intentional fouls one bit since they explained them in another POE in the 2000-01 rulebook. The points that the FED made then included- verbatim:

Acts that must be deemed intentional include:
- grabbing a player from behind.
- wrapping the arms around a player
- grabbing/holding a player by the jersey in order to impede their progress.

The FED laid out in that POE exactly how they wanted intentional fouls called. They have issued nothing since then that would change those points.

Camron, I probably call more intentional and technical fouls than any other referee in the state. I just don't care if anyone likes it or not. I'm not trying to win any popularity contests. My state doesn't give coaches any say at all in postseason selection, so I'm not losing any votes there.
I just follow one simply guideline.
If the actions of a player fit the text of the rule or what the POE from 2000-01 describes, I called an intentional.

It says right there in black and white that grabbing/holding the jersey must be deemed an intentional foul. So, I've called it that way for the past five years without fail. Whenever a coach has complained, I've simply told him that I always call jersey holding intentional. That is consistency, and they accept that.
From now on I will also be certain to enforce the following from the current season's POE on intentional fouls:
"A. Anytime in the game. Acts that neutralize an opponent’s obvious advantageous position and must be deemed intentional include:
• Excessive contact on any player attempting a shot
• Grabbing or shoving a player from behind when an easy basket may be scored
• Grabbing and holding a player from behind or away from the ball
These are “non-basketball” plays and must be considered intentional fouls anytime they occur during a game."

Of course, I already called most of this before.
The first one is an intentional foul even if the player is not attempting a shot, the committee just wants to make sure that we don't let the offender off easy because the opponent is already getting FTs for the try. If someone causes excessive contact, I'm punishing that.
The second point was stressed by the NCAA a season ago or so. It made sense to me. I've called it when I've seen it, and not had an issue over it once.
The third is also fairly obvious. It's intentional no matter if he grabs the head, neck, arm, leg, etc.

For some reason holding the jersey wasn't specifically repeated this year. Perhaps we are doing a good job already on that issue. I highly doubt that the NFHS wishes to reverse their earlier position on this, so I'll continue to call that intentional.