Please Help!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I still don't understand how taunting equates to flagrant or fighting in the OP's situation. Taunting could be sh!t talking, staring an opponent down, standing over a prone opponent in a intimidating fashion, etc. I've called a few tauting T's but none have involved a fight. However I did call a taunting foul last season and the families of the 2 players got in a fight in stands as I was reporting to the table.

You could be right, but reread 4-18. If a taunt causes retaliation by the opponent, the original taunt must, by definition, be treated as part of the fight. The question in my mind is, does the retaliation have to be "physical" as in Article 1, or can it be a similar taunt, as in Article 2?

In any case, one thing that I know for sure, is that if the opponent relaliates with a some physical act, not even making contact, then the original taunt is treated as part of the fight, and according to the Article 9 Penalty in Rule 10, both fouls must be treated as flagrant. No choice by the official.