UNC/MD Women's FF Game
 

In the first half of the UNC/MD game, MD player was getting ready to push the ball up the floor, at about the 28ft line in her backcourt, as she's putting the ball down, crashes into UNC defender who was set. C, who is right there (table side), immediately signals PC. MD coach goes nuts. Lead official, who was far side, sprints across the floor to get the MD coach off of the C, and the coach basically goes nose-to-nose with her.

For those of you who saw this, thoughts on (1) the PC call and (2) the encounter between the MD coach and the official?

I thought the player control was a good call, it was close but I think the offensive player had an opportunity to avoid the contact.

The altercation seemed more trying to be heard over the crowd -- I say that because the official was moving closer to the UMD Coach.

BTW a note on this game, I love to female commentator -- seems have a good grasp of the rules and respects the officials out there a lot.

Is this how you judge a player control foul? Wether the offensive player had the oppotunity to avoid the contact. Sometimes, the defensive player is so quick that dribbler cannot avoid the contact, but if LGP is established and maintained the PC is the call.

(1) Definite PC foul. It makes no difference whether the dribbler can avoid the contact or not. LGP, wham, PC!

(2) Definite technical foul. I felt the Maryland coach was out of control all night.

I didn't see the play. I saw the "tete-a-tete" only briefly in a quick clip on ESPN. If that exchange lasted much longer than 10 or 15 seconds at that intensity, I would agree that it probably should've been whacked.

Bradford, remember that when the offensive player has the ball, time and distance are NOT a factor in determining whether the contact is a PC (unless the player gains control of the ball while airborne).

And it would have been an immediate ejection if it had been the dukey coach that acted that way against the tar heelettes!!! :D

I do agree that the Maryland coach might have been a bit overzealous in her crying on occasions.

It was my impression that the Maryland player caught the ball in midair, landed, took a pivot step forward motion -- as noted the defender was in legal guarding position -- and gave the landing player ample room to change path. The defender moved into LGP AFTER the player became airborn, thus had she immediatley made contact upon landing, I have a block myself.

Just my humble and youthful observation -- any clarifcations are appreciated :). Also, do the rules for HS and NCAA vary on the definition of player control stuff?

Ok, let's clear this up a bit. There are several possible scenarios depending on when the defender got position and whether the ballhandler is airborne, so let's go through just a couple.

The easiest one is when the defensive player "steps in" and tries to establish LGP after the offensive player has left the floor. If the crash occurs before the ballhander returns to the floor, it's an easy block.

If the defender has LGP before the offensive player becomes airborne, then the defender does not have to give the offensive player the opportunity to land. So defensive LGP, then offense goes airborne, then CRASH = PC.

Also remember that once the ballhandler lands, time and distance are no longer a factor. So offense goes airborne and gains control, then defensive LGP, then ballhandler lands on one foot, then immediate CRASH = PC. Even tho, he didn't establish position until after the offensive player became airborne, it's still a PC. The ballhandler does not have to have the opportunity to avoid the contact. One toe down, and time/distance are no longer a factor.

There is only one difference. In NCAAM (but not in Women's), if airborne player releases a try and then charges into a defender, it is NOT a PC foul. The basket will count if it goes in, and the defender will shoot the bonus, if applicable.

Chuck, if I remember correctly you third example is what happened. Good illustrations! :D

Bradford, what is a "pivot step forward motion?" I have never heard that.