2 weeks ago two rival teams, i'm talking 2 pt game throughout the whole game...so now were tied with 0.10 seconds to go (i totally belive this game is going to OT, which is completely warranted)....AND THEN theres a technical foul by my partner who is a rookie, for an ILLEGAL HEADBAND, as it does not match the color of the uniform as per NCAA rules. The other team sank the ball both times, and won the game. I talked to my partner after the game, why didnt we make that call in the beginning, why didnt we warn them, why didnt we just let it go, why did we not discuss this at the pregame....my partner says to me "I felt this was the appropriate time to penalize them", "they need to understand that the rules are there for a reason."

Wow.... that's just horrible.

Note to assignor: I won't work with this guy again. Period.

I hope that this is a joke post because your partner really screwed this up. :(

There is no provision for calling a technical foul for wearing an illegal headband or wristband.
The player simply must remove the illegal attire.

It is not explicitly stated that the player even has to leave the game. The situation is most similar to the player detected wearing jewelry. According to A.R. 23 below that player must immediately remove the item OR leave the game and then remove it before returning. There is no technical foul charged. Note that a player does have to leave to remove illegal undergarments per A.R. 20.


Rule 3, Sec. 5, Art. 15. Headbands that are non-abrasive, unadorned, single-colored (similar to the dominant color of the game jersey) and not wider than 2 inches are permissible.
a. Headbands made of cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather, pliable plastic or rubber are legal.
b. One manufacturer’s logo or one institutional logo/mascot which shall meet the restrictions of Rule 3-6 is permitted.
Art. 16. Wristbands no wider than 2 inches made of single-color cloth similar to the dominant color of the game jersey and unadorned (except for one manufacturer’s logo or one institutional logo/mascot, which shall meet the size restrictions of Rule 3-6) are legal.
A.R. 21. Substitute A6 attempts to enter the playing court with a headband or wristband that is not in compliance with the single, dominant color of the game jersey.
RULING: Substitute A7 shall not be permitted to enter the game before either wearing the appropriate head band or wristband or removing them.

A.R. 20. May a player remain in the game after being assessed an indirect technical foul for wearing an illegal undershirt or undergarment? RULING: Similar to the rule regarding jewelry, illegal undershirts or undergarments shall not be worn. The player shall leave the game and remove the illegal apparel; however, no technical foul shall be assessed.

Rule 3, Sec. 7, Art. 7. Head decorations, head wear and jewelry are illegal.

A.R. 22. Substitute A6 attempts to enter the playing court wearing jewelry, an illegal headpiece or hat.
RULING: Substitute A6 shall not be permitted to enter before removing the jewelry, illegal headpiece or hat. A6 cannot “buy” his or her way into the game and the right to wear the illegal jewelry, illegal headpiece or hat by being charged with an indirect technical foul.

A.R. 23. Player A5 is found to be wearing jewelry. RULING: At the first dead ball, A5 shall be required to remove the jewelry immediately or be required to leave the game and not return until after removing the jewelry. A5 cannot “buy” the right to wear the jewelry by being charged with an indirect technical foul.


It seems to me that your partner should actually learn those rules that he wishes the teams to learn from him. Here's a good one for him to start with, since he obviously failed to do this in that game:

Section 7. The Referee—Pregame Duties
Before the game starts, the referee shall:
Art. 1. Inspect and approve all players’ uniforms, all equipment, including playing court, baskets, ball, backboards, and timers’/scorers’ signals.


BTW did this occur with 1/10th of a second (0.1) or TEN (10) seconds left?

OMG, poor player, and stupid partner. Illegal headband with .10 seconds left that's just, horrible

Checking date... Jan 23. Nope, not Apr 1
 

I hate to say it, but this is a case of an official taking the game away from the players. I don't care if players missed field goals, free throws, layups or whatever you can dream of... this calling official made a doughnut call and cost one team a chance at the game.

What didn't you say something during the game?

Why is a rookie doing a game with rival teams?

Why is a rookie doing a game with NCAA rules? (Or are there leagues other than NCAA that use NCAA rules?)

His assigning association should call a technical foul on him!

This is a setup. No way that happened.

That was my first thought too. Benefit of the doubt though....

With dismay I've read this. Thats a crock!

Had the guy just entered the game?
Had he been warned earlier to remove the thing - and didn't?
Was the "winning" coach working him for the call?

Just trying to understand what lurks in the thoughts of the rookie oficial.

Sounds like something an executive in your association needs to hear about IMO.

No one can be that STUPID! If he was then he is in the wrong position.

As bad as the call was, Jugg's question is the most important one. Since your partner was the rookie, why didn't you go to him and explain that that simply was not the rule? You can simply explain to both coaches that the headband is illegal but must simply be removed. Waiting to discuss it in the locker room is pointless.

Did you attempt to talk him out of the T while you were still on the court? As the veteran, you can't let that call go unchallenged. This was not a block/charge or a missed travel or something related to judgment. This is simply a misapplication of the rules.

Additionally, in such a close game, I would think that there would've been a TO or two in the closing minutes. Did you have a chance to get together and talk in those last two minutes? If you did, you surely said, "Ok, now we're not calling anything that we haven't already called tonight, right? Unless it puts the kid into the bleachers, ok?"

Some of that bad call has to fall on the veteran's shoulders. There was a thread about being "an R". It seems to me that this -- crew management -- is part of that.

Well, JR, JCrow is after all the expert on setups!

Hell, even I know better than that

Hell, even I know better than that.

Hell, even I know better than that.