The "Flop" on an Upswing?

[Freddy]

Seems to me that more and more coaches in our area are teaching their defenders to set themselves up for taking the charge in the lane. As lead especially, it's easy to see it coming as I observe the defender, anticipating the crash, set him/herself up legally to bear the brunt of the impact in the lane. Happens so often that it seems to be in slow motion as the scenerio sets itself up.
With that, I'm also seeing an upswing in the number of times per game the defender does the "flop," falling to the floor without actually receiving any contact from the opponent on the drive. I had two boys' sub-level games last Thursday during which it happened no less than four times in the frosh game and three times in the jv game.
As I see it, and as I consider the rules, good sense, and proper game management, there are a variety of possibilities:
A. Do a "no call", realizing that the faker put himself at a disadvantage by putting himself on the floor while the shooter proceeded to the basket unimpeded, and just let the game proceed (and just bear the verbal wrath of the fans on both ends who might not understand "advantage/disadvantage")
B. Halt the illegal practice early by calling an unsporting technical foul for "faking being fouled" (10-3-6-f)
C. Call a block, and when the faker protests, tell him, "I could have either given you a foul for a block or a technical for faking being fouled, which do you want me to call next time?"
D. Make it a POI in the pre-game captains' conference
E. Mention it to both coaches prior to the game
F. After the first "flop", verbally warn both teams, when practical, not to do that again
G. Warn the coaches somehow during the course of the game that "faking being fouled" merits a penalty, and call a T the next one you see one
H. Other???
Do you sense an upswing in "the flop"?
If so, what, if anything, is your good-sense reaction to it?

[Skarecrow]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Seems to me that more and more coaches in our area are teaching their defenders to set themselves up for taking the charge in the lane. As lead especially, it's easy to see it coming as I observe the defender, anticipating the crash, set him/herself up legally to bear the brunt of the impact in the lane. Happens so often that it seems to be in slow motion as the scenerio sets itself up.
With that, I'm also seeing an upswing in the number of times per game the defender does the "flop," falling to the floor without actually receiving any contact from the opponent on the drive. I had two boys' sub-level games last Thursday during which it happened no less than four times in the frosh game and three times in the jv game.
As I see it, and as I consider the rules, good sense, and proper game management, there are a variety of possibilities:
A. Do a "no call", realizing that the faker put himself at a disadvantage by putting himself on the floor while the shooter proceeded to the basket unimpeded, and just let the game proceed (and just bear the verbal wrath of the fans on both ends who might not understand "advantage/disadvantage")
B. Halt the illegal practice early by calling an unsporting technical foul for "faking being fouled" (10-3-6-f)
C. Call a block, and when the faker protests, tell him, "I could have either given you a foul for a block or a technical for faking being fouled, which do you want me to call next time?"
D. Make it a POI in the pre-game captains' conference
E. Mention it to both coaches prior to the game
F. After the first "flop", verbally warn both teams, when practical, not to do that again
G. Warn the coaches somehow during the course of the game that "faking being fouled" merits a penalty, and call a T the next one you see one
H. Other???
Do you sense an upswing in "the flop"?
If so, what, if anything, is your good-sense reaction to it?

I wouldn't mention it to anybody....if he flops, he may not be faking, just anticipating...and it is pretty hard to decipher his mind.....just let him hit the floor and go on with the game....he looks pretty sheepish, laying down like that...

If you have contact, then call the charge or block, depending on the situation....IMO

[summdawg76]

That is always a touchy one.

The player did put himself at a disadvantage, but it would also be a disadvantage to another player that turned his ankle landing on him.

[chartrusepengui]

First time - no call and let him know he isn't getting an academy award and faking being fouled is a technical foul. Thereafter - hit the whistle.

[grunewar]

From my little corner of the world, I don't think it's on the upswing and I don't see coaches "teaching it." I like "refereeing the defense" and awarding the call if it is earned and deserved.

I had a 12 yr old REC player this weekend who thought he was Shane Battier. He tried jumping in front of every offensive player he could to draw the charge. Unfortunately, it never seemed to be in my area and my partner always called the block.....coach said "knock it off, they're not going to call it." Tough way to earn a living getting run over all the time......

[mbyron]

In my area, nobody calls a T for a flop. Not an option.

A veteran gave me a great piece of advice when I pass on a foul in this situation. He told me, after the play's over and the defender's on the floor looking pitiful, look right at him and wave for him to get up (open palm facing up, arm moving low to high).

This gesture lets everyone know that you saw the play, chose not to call a foul, and so you didn't "miss" a call. In my experience, this works pretty well, especially in lower level games where coaches assume that any time a player ends up on the floor without a whistle, an official missed the call.

[JugglingReferee]

I've seen about 4-5 flops already this year. I should have called one of them, too. Oh well.

[eyezen]

Originally Posted by mbyron

In my area, nobody calls a T for a flop. Not an option.

A veteran gave me a great piece of advice when I pass on a foul in this situation. He told me, after the play's over and the defender's on the floor looking pitiful, look right at him and wave for him to get up (open palm facing up, arm moving low to high).

This gesture lets everyone know that you saw the play, chose not to call a foul, and so you didn't "miss" a call. In my experience, this works pretty well, especially in lower level games where coaches assume that any time a player ends up on the floor without a whistle, an official missed the call.

This may work in your area, but my upbringing completely frowns on this ideal. Same with the "blocked shot" signal. We don't need gestures to explain our calls or non calls. At some point these gestures will get you in trouble.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by eyezen

This may work in your area, but my upbringing completely frowns on this ideal. Same with the "blocked shot" signal. We don't need gestures to explain our calls or non calls. At some point these gestures will get you in trouble.

All this talk about getting you "in trouble." With whom, exactly?

[Man In Blue]

[QUOTE=mbyron;560567]In my area, nobody calls a T for a flop. Not an option.

In my area no one calls traveling. So I don't either. If we choose to enforce some rules and not others we are BAD officials!

A T is the same as any other call. Enforce it that way.

Otherwise join the fans in the stands.

[Adam]

I've called this T exactly one time; in a 5th grade YMCA game. I warned the kid the first time; and warned his clueless coach.
Second time, kid flopped as the ball handler got to about 6 feet away; easy call.
Most of the time, you don't know if it's "anticipation" (perfectly legal) or "faking being fouled" (a technical.)

I have found at the high school level, coaches know why you passed on it if you no-call it. Invariably, I hear the coach yell, "Don't bail on that and you'll get the call."

If a coach asks, simply say "he fell too soon."

[Rich]

[QUOTE=Man In Blue;560635]

Originally Posted by mbyron

In my area, nobody calls a T for a flop. Not an option.

In my area no one calls traveling. So I don't either. If we choose to enforce some rules and not others we are BAD officials!

A T is the same as any other call. Enforce it that way.

Otherwise join the fans in the stands.

When it's you against the world, back the world.

[OHBBREF]

the best thing is to no call here unless the player who flopped has any contact with the shooter before the player returns to the floor or the act of shooting has ended - if there is contact call the block and move on.

The get up and play on signal is useful once you have determined there is no whistle on the play.

Next oportunity let that specific player know if they take the contact you will give them the call.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by OHBBREF

the best thing is to no call here unless the player who flopped has any contact with the shooter before the player returns to the floor or the act of shooting has ended - if there is contact call the block and move on.

I agree to a point. A player is allowed to move backwards to avoid contact, so if the contact is such that the 'flop' only delayed the inevitable; go ahead and call the PC.

Originally Posted by OHBBREF

Next oportunity let that specific player know if they take the contact you will give them the call.

I disagree; you're boxing yourself into a corner for future plays that game. If he asks, just tell him what he did wrong; don't make any promises or commitments for future plays.

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by mbyron

A veteran gave me a great piece of advice when I pass on a foul in this situation. He told me, after the play's over and the defender's on the floor looking pitiful, look right at him and wave for him to get up (open palm facing up, arm moving low to high).

At one state tournament I was working, we had our referee meeting on the night before the first day of games. The official's supervisor specifically mentioned that an official had given the "get up" signal the previous year and that he had better not ever see it again. For what it's worth.