Does this constitute fighting ?

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

My rulebooks are packed away for the summer, but I thought that fight-provoking acts were only considered fighting if they actually provoked a fight.

Anyone who can verify this one way or the other?

RULE 4
SECTION 18 FIGHTING
Fighting is a flagrant act and can occur when the ball is dead or live. Fighting includes, but is not limited to combative acts such as:
ART. 1 . . . An attempt to strike, punch or kick an opponent with a fist, hands, arms, legs or feet regardless of whether contact is made.
ART. 2 . . . An attempt to instigate a fight by committing an unsporting act toward an opponent that causes an opponent to retaliate by fighting.

That is the text of the rule. I highlighted and underlined what I believe would make the first unsporting act qualify as fighting. If the retaliation action of fighting doesn't take place, I can't say that by rule the first act could be considered fighting. It is just an unsporting act.