Under Cutting Players

[Brian Watson]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

I have to take issue with the generalization of your post, Chuck. It's a technical foul to sing the elbows excessively with out contact. It's also a technical foul to swing the elbows excessively when contact is made. The T is for swinging the elbows, not for making or failing to make contact.

As for the original play, I have to agree with mick. I am not calling a T in this situation.

It blows my mind that officials are willing to call a T on a player in a situation such as this, but will let a coach eat there @ss all night but never call a T because he didn't "get personal." I don't give me the "kid could get hurt" argument either. He can't possibly get hurt unless there is contact. When contact occurs, call the personal foul.

When the NF tells me to call a foul for this or for faking a pass at a player's head, I'll call it. But until then, the swinging elbows is the only play of this sort that specifically requires a T.

I think this is a see it and then decide play. I get the impression it wasn't the "one step, stomp the floor" routine we all see. I got the impression the kid took a running charge and then stopped at the last minute. I think that is out of line as fair play goes. I would probably warn the kid first, I think that action is out of line; but if a partner wacked him w/o warning I would be cool with that too.

[chayce]

Let me just add food for thought from the players perspective. If you are a short, slow player like I was in my college days, you have to find defensive plays that allow you to compete with taller, quicker players. I used this technique often as a college player and found it to be very effective. I personally don't see this as different from any other defensive play which serves to distract the shooter. An attempted block is distracting but if no contact is made, it is certainly not a foul. Let this one go for all the other short, slow players of the world! I am not calling a "T".

[Bart Tyson]

While i wouldn't call T. I do believe it is different than other def. plays. This is an intentional act to scare the off. player to think his will be injured. IF it continues the off. player may decide to kick his leg up.

[Camron Rust]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ChuckElias

Originally posted by BktBallRef

I know it's probably dumb to ask this, but are you sure about that, Tony?

I'm sure about what Tony said.

You're going to call a T when the kid gets hit? I don't think that's the way the rule is interpreted, is it?

I am. It is. The rule, as other have mentioned, says it is a T even if there is not contact. That is quite different than only if. The difference that is intended by the if clause is to say that it is a T simple for the swing with or without contact.