traveling or pushing??

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by 81artmonk

I am a coach, trying to learn all the time. If it is incidental contact, than how could it be traveling. If the contact at the point causes the other player to fall than that isn't incidental.

Incidental contact equals no foul. It is that simple. Anything that happens as a result of the incidental contact still applies. So if a player bounces off a player in a legal way, then you can have a travel call. It really is that simple.

Originally Posted by 81artmonk

I see your point, about the two players in your game. But in this one. My player had gaind possession of the ball stopped, and the other player ran into her with her hands striaght up attempting to defend her. The contact caused her to lose balance and fall to her butt. again I see your point, but if the contact casues you to go to the ground I don't see how that can be incidental.

All you are talking about is judgment. All contact is not illegal or a foul.

Originally Posted by 81artmonk

You have to understand, I coach in a middle school level. Refs aren't the best. Nor are they very knowledgable. Most Times I am showing them the rule book. Oft times when shown their error, they won't admit it. All I ever want from Refs is a fair game. Or as fair as you can get with humans invovled. Consistancy! Too many times, our refs allow WWF in the first period than call everything in the 2nd and than get even pickier in the 3rd. My mindset is that at that level of skill and age, you have to ref them different. Let them play, you may let minor things go you normally wouldn't otherwise, otherwise you would be there all day shooting freethrows. You call the major violations or ones in which it swings the advantage to your team. But I ramble....sorry. I will get off my soapbox now.

As you stated you are a middle school level coach. On that description alone you are not getting D1 and NBA officials that have decades of games under their belts working those games. Also as an official we are not seeing the most talented and competent players and coaches either. Middle school is what it is. If you want a major improvement in your officials, you either are going to have to pay higher (which has been done in my area) than the average HS game or assignment and you will have to insist on trying to get some more experienced officials. The problem with the latter is officials that have been around do not want to work those games if for no other reason they will have to deal with coaches and fans that are unreasonable like it seems you are being here.

I do sympathize with you on some level, but your expectations have to be in check. I know when I work these games as a veteran, I always know I am very likely going to work with someone that is not capable to work the games I do on a regular basis. It comes with the territory and it is not like the players make these games easy to call. Often the players are falling over their own feet and coaches like you want a call just because someone hit the floor. Relax, take a deep breathe and have fun. It sounds like you are more concerned with calls that trying to let the players know that they can have fun in this game.

Peace