Hand Checking guidelines

[Jimgolf]

The GPBOA website ( http://www.gpboa.org/Rules%20&%20Mechanics.htm )has some good articles for beginning officials.

One in particular is regarding hand checking, and was written by John Basorist, a D1 official in Michigan. The full article is at http://www.gpboa.org/Articles/Handchecking.pdf but the gist of the article is :

Hand checking is NOT allowed on the ball handler. Referees have the misconception that "I'll call it if it impedes the ball handler". That is not the direction referees are being encouraged to follow. ONE warning is given to the player, and if there is another infraction, then the foul should be called.
The following are hand checking guidelines for all referees:
It is a foul If;
• A defender leaves his hand on an opponent
• A defender continually places hand(s) on an opponent
• A defender places two hands on an opponent
• A defender continually jabs an opponent
• An illegal arm bar is used by the defender
Incidental contact with the hand(s) that does not impede the progress of an
opponent is NOT illegal. The defensive player's action of feeling for a screen that may be set to the side or to the rear is NOT illegal.

Also:

Warn the players ONCE and then call the foul! This also applies to illegal arm bars placed outside of a defensive player's cylinder. An arm bar may be used when defending in post play but it is NOT allowed when FACE to FACE with an opponent or a guard is defending the ball handler.

Are these guidelines appropriate for NFHS?

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

The GPBOA website ( http://www.gpboa.org/Rules%20&%20Mechanics.htm )has some good articles for beginning officials.

One in particular is regarding hand checking, and was written by John Basorist, a D1 official in Michigan. The full article is at http://www.gpboa.org/Articles/Handchecking.pdf but the gist of the article is :


Also:


Are these guidelines appropriate for NFHS?

I am not all for the one warning, if you put two hand on the ball handler I am going to call it right now, now warning. I would also call it a hold not a handcheck. If the arm bar impedes the ball handler and is extended out from the body I am going to get it without a warning. I guess it depends if you are a women's or men's college official. On the women's side we have strict guidelines for handchecks and armbars.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

The GPBOA website ( http://www.gpboa.org/Rules%20&%20Mechanics.htm )has some good articles for beginning officials.

One in particular is regarding hand checking, and was written by John Basorist, a D1 official in Michigan. The full article is at http://www.gpboa.org/Articles/Handchecking.pdf but the gist of the article is :


Also:


Are these guidelines appropriate for NFHS?

These guidelines look very similar to the NCAA-W guidelines, and considering one of the articles on the GPBOA website is written by Don Rutledge, supervisor of officials for the WNBA, it doesn't surprise me there's some NCAA-W influence there. However, I've been told there are no cut-and-dried guidelines such as this in NFHS. I would suggest talking to your assignor or supervisor to see if that's how they want the HS games called.

My personal opinion: I think it takes away some of the judgement involved in the call. For example - two hands on an opponent is a foul. But what if A1 came right at the defender, and B1 puts up their hands as a reaction and A1 contacts both hands. You have to call the foul. But there's also no rules basis for calling it; your explanation to the coach is that's how your association told you to call it. At least in NCAA-W, the guidelines are in the rule book, and when we call it the coach has no basis for a complaint because it's written right there.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

These guidelines look very similar to the NCAA-W guidelines, and considering one of the articles on the GPBOA website is written by Don Rutledge, supervisor of officials for the WNBA, it doesn't surprise me there's some NCAA-W influence there. However, I've been told there are no cut-and-dried guidelines such as this in NFHS. I would suggest talking to your assignor or supervisor to see if that's how they want the HS games called.

My personal opinion: I think it takes away some of the judgement involved in the call. For example - two hands on an opponent is a foul. But what if A1 came right at the defender, and B1 puts up their hands as a reaction and A1 contacts both hands. You have to call the foul. But there's also no rules basis for calling it; your explanation to the coach is that's how your association told you to call it. At least in NCAA-W, the guidelines are in the rule book, and when we call it the coach has no basis for a complaint because it's written right there.

Don Rutledge is not the WNBA supervisor, it is Dee Kantner. In women's NCAA we don't give you a warning. The play you decribed is a no call, what I am saying is when a defender put two hands on the dribbler by their own accord.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by RonRef

Don Rutledge is not the WNBA supervisor, it is Dee Kantner.

Are you sure? I thought Dee was originally, but didn't Don take over for her? It mentions Don as the supervisor in the article on the website - under "Articles of Interest", it's "Rutledge's Rules".

Originally Posted by RonRef

In women's NCAA we don't give you a warning. The play you decribed is a no call, what I am saying is when a defender put two hands on the dribbler by their own accord.

I'm aware of that as well. But even NCAA-W have backed off a little from their previous handchecking guidelines because play was being stopped without any obvious advantage being gained. They have put a little judgement back into the call.

The article does kind of contradict itself a little. On one line, it says officials "have the misconception that "I'll call it if it impedes the ball handler". But this is not the direction referees are encouraged to follow." Then it says, "Incidental contact with the hand(s) that does not impede the progress of the ball handler is NOT illegal."

I still think NFHS wants the judgement in there. Maybe we as officials aren't doing a good enough job in calling when it should be called. But I don't think they're ready to put in specific guidelines yet.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Are you sure? I thought Dee was originally, but didn't Don take over for her? It mentions Don as the supervisor in the article on the website - under "Articles of Interest", it's "Rutledge's Rules".

Don has not been the Supervisor since around the late 90s. Dee Kanter replaced Patty Broddrick about 2 years ago.

Peace

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Don has not been the Supervisor since around the late 90s. Dee Kanter replaced Patty Broddrick about 2 years ago.

Peace

AH HA! It's true!!
You really have been keeping up on the WNBA!



Wasn't Dee originally the supervisor in the beginning as well?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I still think NFHS wants the judgement in there. Maybe we as officials aren't doing a good enough job in calling when it should be called. But I don't think they're ready to put in specific guidelines yet.

Oh?

The FED has already issued guidelines. Several times. The most recent one iirc was in the 2003-04 rule book.

POE 2A- HANDCHECKING:
1) Any tactic using the hands, arms or body that allows a player, on offense or defense, to "control"(hold, impede, push, divert, slow or prevent) the movement of an opponent is a foul.
2) When an offensive player uses his or her hands or body to push-off for position, for spacing, for getting open to receive a pass or to move the ball via pass or dribble, it is a foul.
3) "Hooking" by the offensive players should be presumed a definite advantage. This is not a judgement call or tactic worthy of a warning. It is a foul and should be called without hesitation.
4) Any act or tactic of illegal use of the hands, arms or body(offense or defense) that intentionally slows, prevents, impedes the progress or displaces an opposing player due to the contact is a foul and must be called.
5) Regardless of where it takes place on the floor, when a player continuosly places a hand on an opposing player, it is a foul.
6) When a player jabs a hand or forearm on an opponent, it is a foul.

Also from a POE the previous year:
1) No displacement of a cutter
2) The measuring up of an opponent(tagging) is hand checking, is not permitted, and is a foul.
3) Use of a forearm, regardless of the duration of the contact, is a foul.

As you already know,M, NCAA Men and Wimmen set out their own guidelines in the appendices immediately following R10 in the NCAA rule book.

When in doubt, use the rule book.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

Are these guidelines appropriate for NFHS?

They do not look like guidelines, but that is never going to take away from judgment of the official on a game.

Also these do look like NCAA Women's guidelines. I would not use these in boy’s varsity games.

Peace

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by Jim

Hand checking is NOT allowed on the ball handler. Referees have the misconception that "I'll call it if it impedes the ball handler". That is not the direction referees are being encouraged to follow.

Ok, I got it. Call the contact. It doesn't matter whether it impedes the ball handler.

Incidental contact with the hand(s) that does not impede the progress of an opponent is NOT illegal.

But. . . you just. . . said. . . Didn't we . . . just agree. . .?

An arm bar may be used when defending in post play

Cough, cough, bulldexter, cough, cough. . .

[M&M Guy]

Dang it Chuck, you type faster than me!

However, I will disagree with your coughing spell. This is directly out of NCAA-W as well - armbars are legal on a post player with their back to the basket, as long as there is no displacement. However, armbars are not allowed on a ball-handler away from the basket, and once the post player has the ball and turns to face the basket, the armbar must come off.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

However, armbars are not allowed on a ball-handler away from the basket, and once the post player has the ball and turns to face the basket, the armbar must come off.

Arm bars are not legal in NCAA-Men's basketball. Do not tell Z this; he might get upset if this is pointed out.

Peace

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Arm bars are not legal in NCAA-Men's basketball. Do not tell Z this; he might get upset if this is pointed out.

Peace

Arm Bars are illegal NCAA-M??? Does you TV get Big Ten or Big East games on ESPN, they let much worse than Arm Bars go!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by RonRef

Arm Bars are illegal NCAA-M???

Yes, if the defender keeps it on, or if he prevents a post player of attaining/maintaining a legal offensive position. The NCAA rulesmakers want it called. Whether it actually is a whole 'nother matter.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RonRef

Arm Bars are illegal NCAA-M??? Does you TV get Big Ten or Big East games on ESPN, they let much worse than Arm Bars go!

You must not watch a lot of Big Ten basketball. Not only do I live in a region where Big Ten Basketball is king, I attend the Big Ten Tournament every year for the last 6 years or so. I saw many times there was a call when a defender puts their arm on the post player. This also was a POE last season as well.

I cannot speak for the Big East. I do not see a lot of those games.

Peace