Hand Checking guidelines

[icallfouls]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Well, your grumpiness, (or is your neanderthalness?) I'm not sure they are completely opposite. But, you know, we do actually agree in the fact that I wouldn't necessarily follow these guidelines for HS either. As far as the "tagging" line, I thought you were referencing the line that says, "It is a foul if a defender continually jabs an opponent." and saying that doesn't agree with the Fed. POE, when it does. That's all I was trying to point out.

I think this is an example of the what I've been lamenting on another thread - someone feeling they can expand on or change a Fed. ruling or mechanic because they think they know better. Whether or not it really is better is up for debate. But all it seems to do is present confusion. Someone can look at the Fed. books and see one set of guidelines for handchecking, then members of the GPBOA see their leaders' recommended guidelines. When in the GPBOA, do as GPBOA'ers, I guess. But why can't we all do it the same? Geesh!

I agree with Rut, basketball is a game that requires judgement on every play and unfortunately, judgement is not uniform even by the same person from moment to moment. So often on the site, I see posters looking for a " book definition" to make calls and it leads to all kinds of speculation and distorted versions/extreme examples of plays where this or that might happen. The rule book is a guideline to help make decisions.

One part of the rulebook that gets overlooked, is the part that refers to incidental contact, that is the by the book answer that can be most helpful. Not every bit of contact needs to be a foul. Automatic/blanket calls can ruin game flow and just put more attention on the officials if a call that "by definition" should be made and for some reason, it is not.

As far as "doing it the same," we can when it comes to mechanics, but that is about it, like it or not.