Punch Ball

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Gimlet25id

JR..I'm surprised by your response. I have personally never got to 10 on a FT count but will admit that my count probably isn't the fastest in the world either.

Your generally so by the book. I just can't see how you could set aside an obvious hit of the ball with a fist. The rule is clear and doesn't have any language in it that would suggest allowances or intent. (Example would be 3 second rule where player makes a move to the basket)

What if its a close game and a player @ the timeline decides to hit the ball with his fist with no other players in the vicinity? The opposing coach knows the rule and knows that he/she should be getting the ball back. However you decide to set the rule aside just because no other players are around? You will have just kicked a RULE!

I'm not surprised by your response.

Nope, I won't have made that call by the book. I will have called the play the way that it usually has been called, in my experience. And I don't think that I'll ever see the call made in The Land Of College Or Above either. Note that is just my own personal opinion.

If you think that I go by the book 100%, you just haven't been paying attention. Some plays have to be called by the book. Other plays may be called, depending on the situation, but they also might be ignored.

Btw, fwiw there are situations where I sureasheck wouldn't dream of calling 3 seconds, and those situations have got nothing to do with a player making a move to the basket.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

I won't have made that call by the book. I will have called the play the way that it usually has been called, in my experience. And I don't think that I'll ever see the call made in The Land Of College Or Above either.

Jurassic Referee: Just curious, how many times in your career, did you have an opportunity to "not" make this call? I've been involved with basketball for over forty years, as a player, coach, fan, parent, and official, and I've never observed a player strike the ball with their fist, until yesterday.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Jurassic Referee: Just curious, how many times in your career, did you have an opportunity to "not" make this call? I've been involved with basketball for over forty years, as a player, coach, fan, parent, and official, and I've never observed a player strike the ball with their fist, until yesterday.

More than a few, to be quite honest. Usually it's just a player knocking a throw-in or short pass to someone else, or starting a dribble with a fist with no one around. I just whisper in their ear "don't do dat". That's just me, though.

Here's a question for you...is it legal for the thrower on a throw-in to fist the ball inbounds? How about if the thrower kicks the ball inbounds on a throw-in?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

I just whisper in their ear "don't do dat". That's just me, though.

[Bad Zebra]

Eesh. That's just wrong.

[Loudwhistle]

Yuck, now that's a Bad Zebra!!

[Johnny Ringo]

I have called this once in 18 years. Girls V game and a scramble for a loose ball when a player was on the floor punched the ball out of the huddle. I called it and nobody really knew what I called, but nobody yelled either. My partner knew the rule as well and said that was a first for him. Still waiting on the second instance!

[Loudwhistle]

I saw a player punch the ball two weeks ago. Get this one, the player was shooting a one and one, he makes the first free throw and the ball bounces back to him, he then punches the ball back to the administering official, who then bounced the ball back to the shooter to finish his last free throw. Nobody did anything. The shooter didn't show any attitude or disrespect as he sent the ball back to the ref. I was wondering what could have been called if one of the reffs called the violation right when the punch happened? (obviously the violation for punching the ball) What would be the proper way to continue the game at that point?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle

I saw a player punch the ball two weeks ago. Get this one, the player was shooting a one and one, he makes the first free throw and the ball bounces back to him, he then punches the ball back to the administering official, who then bounced the ball back to the shooter to finish his last free throw. Nobody did anything. The shooter didn't show any attitude or disrespect as he sent the ball back to the ref. I was wondering what could have been called if one of the reffs called the violation right when the punch happened? (obviously the violation for punching the ball) What would be the proper way to continue the game at that point?

In this situation, the ball wasbn't live -- so there's no penalty.

On the OP: this was called and caused a minor ruckus in an NBA game a few years ago.

My take: I'll call it if the player gains some advantage or there are others around. Not in the situation as originally presented.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle

I saw a player punch the ball two weeks ago. Get this one, the player was shooting a one and one, he makes the first free throw and the ball bounces back to him, he then punches the ball back to the administering official, who then bounced the ball back to the shooter to finish his last free throw. Nobody did anything. The shooter didn't show any attitude or disrespect as he sent the ball back to the ref. I was wondering what could have been called if one of the reffs called the violation right when the punch happened? (obviously the violation for punching the ball) What would be the proper way to continue the game at that point?

Was the ball live when he punched it?

If a player punches the ball after a timeout is granted, is that a violation?

Edit: I see that Bob got there before me.

[Upward ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Jurassic Referee: Just curious, how many times in your career, did you have an opportunity to "not" make this call? I've been involved with basketball for over forty years, as a player, coach, fan, parent, and official, and I've never observed a player strike the ball with their fist, until yesterday.

As I new guy I have to say I saw a player (same holiday tournament as my jump ball post) do this. thurs. night on a throw in right at the opposing teams bench A1 throws in to A2 who lightly strikes it with his fist right back to A1 who had just stepped in. At that time I wondered why the ref didn't call although I thought it was no big deal . also wondered about the "intent of the rule, but was just basically happy with me spotting it !