Travel or Not?

[dacodee]

Hello All,

Had a game the other day. Both teams scrambling for a loose ball, after a missed shot. A1 attempts to gain possession while B1 knocks it loose, A1 hits the deck, then somehow gains control and calls time. I grant the time. During the TO, assistant coach asked me, "did he fall"? I say, "yes". He says, "Well, how is that not a travel"? I simply asked him if he had another question. If not, I didn't want to hear it.

During the rest of the game, I kept thinking about it. Was I wrong??? Was he right??? What if he fell while he had control of the ball? I just didn't know. I know that when he fell, he didn't have control. And, when he had control, he was on the floor. He didn't roll or try to get up.

This is my first year. I just didn't know... HELP!!!

DAC

[TriggerMN]

Control, then a fall to the ground is a travel.
A fall to the ground, then control is not a travel.

[Red_Killian]

Explain to the coach what you saw. "Coach, A1 did not have control when he fell. Player control was established by A1 after he was on the floor. That is why I didn't have a travel." The coach may not agree with what you saw but he can't argue when you explain what you saw and the rule to back up your call.

Don't ignore a direct question from a coach, especially when you've already entered into a conversation.

You had the right call, go ahead and explain it when asked.