Intentional vs Unsportsmanlike

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Oz Referee

Forgive me if I have brought this up before.

Around 12 years ago FIBA changed the name of its intentional foul to an unsportsmanlike foul, the reasoning behind the change is that it is impossible for a referee (or anyone else) to judge someone's intentions, they can only judge the actions.

Given that the USA is (IMHO) a litigous (sp?) nation and that people are acutely aware of political correctness and their "rights" does anyone think that it is necessary or that it would be a good idea for the NFHS/NCAA/NBA to change the name of the "unsportsmanlike" foul?

By rules definition, intentional personal fouls under both NCAA and NFHS rulesets have nothing to do with unsporting conduct. The calling philosophy is that an intentional foul comprises taking away a natural "advantage" from the opponents.

I can't see any difference either in the FIBA stance of "judging the action" versus "judging the intention". They're exactly the same imo. You still have to judge" that the foul being committed has to meet the FIBA definition of an "unsporting" foul. That is no difference than what we have to do now for "intentional" fouls under both FED and NCAA rules.

Btw, I agree with BktBallRef. Your opening comments on American society were needless, extraneous, and irrelevant to what you wanted to discuss. You didn't want to get into FIBA bashing but you started off by "American Society" bashing instead. Pot..kettle...black.