I think interesting question

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by 81artmonk

I've heard that alot even from the refs I get for my games, the "judgement call"
issue. I understand how some things become judgement calls, but some things are just obvious. committing the foul and not going for the ball. Player A throws the ball into his/her teammate, player B bearhugs player A from behind to commit the foul. Honestly, how is that a judgement call?? Or a push from behind?? I really can't see how those can be construed as judgement calls? In those cases the player is clearly not going for the ball. Just curious??

Obvious to whom. I know that I officiate more games in a year than the vast majority of coaches will coach in a year. I know I work about 40-60 regular season games every year. I probably work about the same in the summer and off-season months. I watch my games on tape when I get them and I watch my fellow official's games in person when I am not working or during the post-season or tournaments I might be associated with. And you are going to tell me that you know more than someone like me or others that might work even more games? Also the rules are clear that all contact is not a foul and there are philosophies that you may not be aware of to not call everything that simply looks bad. Also when we know a player is trying to foul, it is instructed to get the first contact. So even without seeing these plays, does not mean they happen the way you say they did. Judgment also means that not every official shares the same level of judgment. So what one official might call, another official might completely miss. That is the nature of the beast just like not all coaches know how to teach a particular offense or defense and get their players to where they can execute on a regular basis.

Peace