Here's one for discussion...A1 steals a pass in B's frontcourt. He takes 2 dribbles along the sideline as B1 tries to cut him off. A1 notices A2 is wide open crossing the centre line heading for the basket. As A1 begins his pass to A2, B1 gets a good piece of A1's arm, but A1 is strong and able to get the pass off successfully which eventually leads to an uncontested lay-up for A2. Do you stop play and call B1 with the foul or ignore the foul and let the play continue? Would your decision be different if B1's foul would put Team A in the penalty? (Game is Varsity Boys).

Let me ask this...where is the disadvantage?

Jeff

Of course i take these on a case by case basis. But following the philosophy of advantage/disadvantage, I'd let that contact go most of the time (in a Varsity game especially).

If you do call that foul, you've actually put the offended team at a greater disadvantage; freethrows are more difficult than lay-ups.

With that said, a foul call could be warranted, depending on the severity of the contact and situation in the game. Either coach could get really upset that you did not call that foul.

What if the coach of Team B was trying to stop the clock? Now, his player has committed an obvious foul in an attempt to extend the game. If you don't call the foul in that situation you'll have the coach of Team B questioning your judgement.

That's a touchy situation and you have to be careful how you respond to any questions the coaches may be asking (yelling), about why you did or did not call the foul.

I guess my long answer is...I don't call the foul most of the time, but I try to be cognizant of the game situation and if warranted, calling that foul could be a must.

Hope that helps.

Jake

I agree with the above statements. No call. but I have noticed that it has been called in the NBA this year. At least during the playoffs.

Here's what I've noticed. Lots of college level fouls are called just a little late. Conversely, if you're fast enough on the whistle, no one knows wheterh he could have gotten the pass(or shot) off or not.

So what I've been working on is either an "instant whistle" or enough delay to see if the kid can play through. This isn't always the best idea, it can lead to some problems, but it's better than that hesitant whistle which calls back an easy basket.

Jewel,
I'm not sure that I can do both of those, so I threw my instant whistle away last year.
mick

The way it is called in the NBA is what prompted me to put this up for discussion. In a scenario like this (at the HS and College levels) I will always hold my whistle and see what happens. Neither coach will be upset with this tactic as long as you are respected and you do it right, so why is it different in the NBA and why doesn't the offensive coach go nuts for having an uncontested lay up taken away and given the ball on the sideline?

Mick,
Could you scrounge it out and send it to me? Mine keep getting teeth marks and breaking!!

juulie

Jewel,
Most "Real Refs" do not use the "mini FOX", like I do.
I've only bitten through one since I've been doing this thing.
mick

Seems to me if A1 was attempting to pass to A2, and completes the pass to A2, then there was no advantage or disadvantage. Thus, incidental contact is just that.

OTOH, the foul could be severe and thus Intentional. That would be called. So, I'll either pass or call the intentional, and 98% of the time it will be the former.