Pushing foul or traveling violation.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

There was a post on McGriff's Board that might provide interesting discussion:

Play: A1 is holding the ball firmly with both hands. B1 pushes on the ball (makes no contact with A1). The push is so hard A1 topples over backwards to the floor still holding the ball.


My take on the play is as follows:

If, in the official's judgement, if B1 placed his hands on the ball in such a manner that both players were know holding the ball in a manner that would create a held ball situation, then you a held ball had occured. But, if all B1 did was push the ball hard enough to displace A1, then B1 is guilty of a pushing foul. My reasoning for calling a foul on B1 is no different than if A1 had taken the ball and pushed B1 out of the way with the ball. That would be a player control foul by A1. I just do not see how this can be a traveling violation and not a pushing foul by B1.

I will say this, that a couple of postings after mine said that it could not be a foul by B1.

Any and all opinions are appreciated.