Basket-brawl

[bigdogrunnin]

In 2- or 3-person games, at least ONE official should ALWAYS stay out and look for numbers and players. In my pregames we always cover this, no matter what. Goes something like . . .

OK guys, if we have a situation where there is a fight or flagrant act, the closest official(s) can go in and try to break up the fight. The official that is farthest from the fight, and has the best general perspective to what is happening across the entire area of the floor, holds tight to get numbers of anyone who participates in the fight or leaves the bench. Make good mental notes so we get the offending players off the floor.

I know it is not the same situation, but I use the same philosophy for handling jump balls too. Closest official goes in to get the jump ball called. The official farthest from the action holds tight to make sure that no "funny business" is happening between any of the players at or around the same time.

[Ignats75]

Never, ever jump into the middle of a fight. What happens if any of these occur?

• You grab a player from behind and he gets punched in the mouth?
• You grab a player from behind to pull him off, you both fall over and he blows his knee out?
• You grab a player from behind and he turns around and punches you in the face?
• You step between two players and all three of you fall in aheap and one kid hits his head on the floor?
• (Girls) You step into a fight and while trying to break it up inadvertantly touch a girl in the wrong place?

Nothing good is going to come from you stepping into the middle of it. Step back and take numbers of who leaves the bench. Better yet, be attentive and in position and "Nip it, Nip it in the Bud. Unlike the C in the video. Good catch there true rookie.

[mplagrow]

I hate to say it, but I tend to agree with Ignats75, although in the heat of things, I know I'd probably react differently. You better have good insurance and a good lawyer if you are going to jump in and grab/hold/pull a player. That's enough for a lot of lawyers to go after you. Of course, they'd probably sue you for standing by, too.

[bigdogrunnin]

I agree with everything you posted Ignats . . . but I did say CAN, not should or will, as I would never tell another official what actions to take in a clearly unsafe situation. I think that decision needs to be left up to the officials on the floor at the time to use their best judgement in what actions they might take. I think the video shows a situation of "too far gone," and at that point I (personally) step out and take numbers. The official in the middle got kicked, kneed, and stepped on while trying to protect one of the players. Not my bag of tea . . . Did you see him bent over after the fact? He was hurt, or hurting . . .

As for the official ("C") not being in position . . . I have heard it time and time again, "It is better to have two C's, than to have two T's!" He was definitely WAY out of position, and yes, he should have been on top of it with a double foul.