Solid collision with unseen screen
 

I was just watching the Georgia Tech / Vanderbuilt game on TV.

Guard is bring the ball down the court. About the division line the defender runs solidly into a screener. Defender gets bopped in the jaw. Screener hits the floor. Official calls the foul on the defender.

Defender did not see the screen. There was nothing intentional - didn't fight his way through, just bounced off the screener.

I've been told by veteran officials that you've got to call this a foul on the defender... because a teammate should be warning him that the screen is coming. The TV announcers (ignoramuses, as they are) made similar comments.

In my opinion, the defender did nothing wrong. Why should he get penalized?

Rule 10 talks about contact ... specifically 10-6-3, bottom of page 65:

In cases of screens outside the visual field, the opponent may make inadvertant contact with the screener and if the opponent is running rapidly, the contact may be severe. Such case is to be ruled as incidental contact provided the opponent stops or attempts to stop on contact and moves around the screen, and provided the screen is not displaced if he/she has the ball.

Agreeably, this was a college game, not NFHS. Perhaps college rules are different.

The question is how do you handle such a situation? I know that when I pass on this call, I get a lot of screams and hollers. In my area, fans and most coaches seem to expect a foul call. Perhaps, thanks to our senior officials that last picked up their rule book in 1963.:(

I haven't broken down yet and am still maintaining the rules as stated above. What about in your areas?

I agree that you are correct about the rule. However, it is rather obvious that enforcing it properly doesn't get much acceptance. So you can either go with the flow or stick to what you believe is right.

Hey, DTTB --

You've just broken unwritten rule #1 on this board (and I quote):

You may not start a new thread after an extended absence from the board, unless that thread starts off with some sort of greeting and explanation, however brief, as to what the heck you've been doing with yourself.

Sheez, Tony, you're a ref, you KNOW we're not mind-readers!

Alive and well
 

Many appologies, Juulie (bowing and twirling my right hand in that mid-eastern way of the carpet rolling out).

I have been absent for quite some time (less than a year but several months). The officiating has not stopped - basketball now, baseball and fastpitch softball all summer. Was given the opportunity to get paid to quit my job... did so, and spent the summer with my family, yard work, increase in officiating and other responsibilities. It's been great! The pay stinks (and I'm out of money) but life is great.

Anyone need to hire a mechanical engineer with 20 years experience, significant leadership responsibilities ... and a bit of officiating knowledge?:p

It is good to see the same, solid voices of reason are still taking care of the forum.;)

Greetings to you all! Hopefully, I will now be allowed to participate in the forum!:)

Tony

PS And where did you find that quote?

Good to see you back DTTB!

So you're not glad to see us voices of inanity and over-reaction? :D

There has been one small loss. ;)

Hey! I came back!

I just got away with it a few days ago.

I didn't when I dropped back in. Juulie busted my, uhm, chops. :)

Yooo hoooo, Juulie, you missed one. :p

Welcome back, Coach!

Tony, I think from a game management perspective, a lot of refs will make this call. If defender stops on contact, I haven't had to make this call. But, I haven't had to remove the defender's elbow from the screener's spleen, either. :)