Throwing the ball off of a player - T?

[jmaellis]

I've been thinking about this very situation lately. I recently officiated an 8th grade boys game in which A1 saved a ball from going OOB by throwing it against B1 which caused the ball to go OOB off of B1. In this case the ball hit B1 square in the nads.

The rules prohibit pushing, hitting, holding, etc, etc, .. yet intentionally striking an opponent with the ball (even though it's not malicious) is permissible. There is much more potential for injury when throwing a ball against another player than there is for say .... bobby pins in the hair. It just seems odd that this is allowed.

Just thinking out loud.

[Jurassic Referee]

Saving the ball by throwing it off another player is an accepted basketball play. As jdw said, unless you felt that the saver deliberately threw the ball at the opponent's head or cojones, leave it alone.

It has to be a deliberate unsporting act to be called. If you do call it, be absolutely sure.