Touch foul to stop clock

[Nevadaref]

I know that you said that your rec league was using NCAA rules, but the following from last season's NFHS Points of Emphasis in the back of the rules book is excellent advice. I've put the two key points in red for you.

4. Intentional Fouls. The committee continues to be concerned about how games end. While there has been some improvement in the application of the rule, there is still need for further understanding and enforcement. An intentional foul is a personal or technical foul that neutralizes an opponent's obvious advantageous position. Contact away from the ball or when not making a legitimate attempt to play the ball or player, specifically designed to stop or keep the clock from starting, shall be intentional. Intentional fouls may or may not be premeditated and are not based solely on the severity of the act. A foul also shall be ruled intentional if while playing the ball a player causes excessive contact with an opponent.
Fouling is an accepted coaching strategy late in the game. There is a right way and a wrong way to foul. Coaches must instruct their players in the proper technique for strategic fouling. "Going for the ball" is a common phrase heard, but intentional fouls should still be called on players who go for the ball if it is not done properly.
Additionally, in throw-in situations, fouling a player that is not involved in the play in any way (setting a screen, attempting to receive the in-bound pass, etc. ) must be deemed intentional. Far too often, officials do not call fouls as intentional when the act clearly meets the criteria.

5. Rules Enforcement and Proper Use of Signals. The committee has seen a movement away from the consistent application of rule enforcement and use of approved mechanics/signals.
A. Rules Enforcement. Officials need to be aware that personal interpretations of the rules have a negative impact on the game. The rules are written to provide a balance between offense and defense, minimize risks to participants, promote the sound tradition of the game and promote fair play. Individual philosophies and deviations from the rules as written negatively impact the basic fundamentals and tenants of the rules. Officials must be consistent in the application of all rules, including:
• Contact – Contact that is not considered a foul early in the game should not be considered a foul late in the game simply because a team "wants" to foul. Conversely, contact that is deemed intentional late in the game should likewise be called intentional early in the game.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I know that you said that your rec league was using NCAA rules, but the following from last season's NFHS Points of Emphasis in the back of the rules book is excellent advice. I've put the two key points in red for you.

4. Intentional Fouls. The committee continues to be concerned about how games end. While there has been some improvement in the application of the rule, there is still need for further understanding and enforcement. An intentional foul is a personal or technical foul that neutralizes an opponent's obvious advantageous position. Contact away from the ball or when not making a legitimate attempt to play the ball or player, specifically designed to stop or keep the clock from starting, shall be intentional. Intentional fouls may or may not be premeditated and are not based solely on the severity of the act. A foul also shall be ruled intentional if while playing the ball a player causes excessive contact with an opponent.
Fouling is an accepted coaching strategy late in the game. There is a right way and a wrong way to foul. Coaches must instruct their players in the proper technique for strategic fouling. "Going for the ball" is a common phrase heard, but intentional fouls should still be called on players who go for the ball if it is not done properly.
Additionally, in throw-in situations, fouling a player that is not involved in the play in any way (setting a screen, attempting to receive the in-bound pass, etc. ) must be deemed intentional. Far too often, officials do not call fouls as intentional when the act clearly meets the criteria.

5. Rules Enforcement and Proper Use of Signals. The committee has seen a movement away from the consistent application of rule enforcement and use of approved mechanics/signals.
A. Rules Enforcement. Officials need to be aware that personal interpretations of the rules have a negative impact on the game. The rules are written to provide a balance between offense and defense, minimize risks to participants, promote the sound tradition of the game and promote fair play. Individual philosophies and deviations from the rules as written negatively impact the basic fundamentals and tenants of the rules. Officials must be consistent in the application of all rules, including:
• Contact – Contact that is not considered a foul early in the game should not be considered a foul late in the game simply because a team "wants" to foul. Conversely, contact that is deemed intentional late in the game should likewise be called intentional early in the game.

The point, Philz, is that you needed to call that touch foul, and if it's not a basketball play, call it an intentional. If they complain, you tell that it's just the way it's gonna be. If they're fouling to stop the clock, and they don't use legitimate means, it's an intention. I"d say barely touching the shorts falls into that category.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Philz

I was recently doing a Rec league game, NCAA rules when Team A leading got a rebound and a fast break. Player B1 reaches and barely touches the shorts and I mean "barely" with both hands of A1 to try and stop the clock but I dont call it and Team A scores easily on a 3 on 1 break. B1 goes nuts on my no call. I mentioned to him you must make and attempt for the ball. I could have called an intentional foul so I basically gave you break but your soft touch didnt seem to impeed offensive player and I'm not going to penalize them when they had a fast break going. His reply is "were not trying to hurt anyone out here just trying to stop the clock". I said you can make an attempt for the ball without hurting anyone. The next foul by team B was a head tackle on team A. Both benches empty. There was less than a minute left team A up by 9.....I called the game but was vebally abuised all the way to the parking lot. I gave this a lot of thought and one thing I could have done different was warn the team B coach when the game was getting down to the end and it was apparent that they would try and stop the clock with a foul is to make sure his players went for the ball. Any other suggestions?

In my area's wreck games, there are less and less officials available becauase of the BS that goes on.

I think not calling the foul was the correct call. I also think that the action that caused the benches to empty is a flagrant foul. I also think that I'm phoning the assignor when I get home and tell them to find someone else. That's my suggestion.

If you still wish to do these games, don't back down on being the referee you're supposed to be. They'll respect you more in the end for not being a pushover. An attempt to foul by brushing the shirt with fingertips is not a foul.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

An attempt to foul by brushing the shirt with fingertips is not a foul.

Yep, clearly this team doesn't understand how to correctly make strategic fouls. That is what it really comes down to.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by Philz

I was recently doing a Rec league game, NCAA rules when Team A leading got a rebound and a fast break. Player B1 reaches and barely touches the shorts and I mean "barley" with both hands of A1 to try and stop the clock but I dont call it and Team A scores easily on a 3 on 1 break. B1 goes nuts on my no call. I mentioned to him you must make and attempt for the ball. I could have called an intentional foul so I basically gave you break but your soft touch didnt seem to impeed offensive player and I'm not going to penalize them when they had a fast break going. His reply is "were not trying to hurt anyone out here just trying to stop the clock". I said you can make an attempt for the ball without hurting anyone. The next foul by team B was a head tackle on team A. Both benches empty. There was less than a minute left team A up by 9.....I called the game but was vebally abuised all the way to the parking lot. I gave this a lot of thought and one thing I could have done different was warn the team B coach when the game was getting down to the end and it was apparent that they would try and stop the clock with a foul is to make sure his players went for the ball. Any other suggestions?

End of game situation you know the team behind is going to foul to stop the clock. No need to discuss this with the Coach. There's "physical contact in basketball" If contact gives a player an advantage call the foul. Whether I would call a foul in the situation you described depends depends on how physical the game was. If it was a hack fest I would probably call it to keep the game under control. If it wasn't I probably would have let them play on. There's no reason for you to discuss at any time why you did or did not call a foul.