Was this handled correctly?

[mbyron]

I would simply like to add that I agree with Snaq about giving coaches leeway on whether they have "left the bench area." The limit of the leeway is the determination of how far they come and whether they are helping or hindering me.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I would simply like to add that I agree with Snaq about giving coaches leeway on whether they have "left the bench area." The limit of the leeway is the determination of how far they come and whether they are helping or hindering me.

Even though I have been fortunate enough to avoid a full-blown fight situation thus far in my career, my varsity crew has agreed that as soon as a problem like this occurs, we will IMMEDIATELY BECKON both head coaches onto the floor as they stand the best chance of helping us restore order.

Several years ago, my current crew did have a full-blown fight situation that got ugly. Since they did not beckon the head coaches onto the floor, the head coaches remained on the sidelines while the perpetrators continued. Apparently, the officials were reluctant to break up the fight from a liability standpoint. Therefore, the fight continued for a period of time.

I certainly hope that we never encounter the situation.

[Jack]

Gentlemen - upon further review and discussion we have determined that the initial foul was not deemed a flagrant. I went down this way:

Rio players shot is blocked and recovered by BV player, Rio player immediatly fouls and ref blows whistle. After that whistle is blown the Rio player wrestled the BV player to the ground and continues to acost the BV player physically. The players are separated and the rest of the description stands.

In light of this clarification is it possible that the referee got the BV award of 8 free throws correct. 2 for the personal- 2 each for back to back technicals while he blows the whistle and the RIO player continues to fight and two for the coach coming on to the floor.

Or possibly six due to the coaches offset as has been suggested.

[Adam]

I'm only commenting here on the initial fighting action by the Rio player. At most, I'll give the personal foul and one flagrant Technical foul afterwards; unless there is a significant gap in time between the first blow and the second blow. To me, it's all one act. So, four shots seems appropriate.

That said, I don't think there's anything in the rule that prevents the official from calling multiple flagrants against the same player in this situation.

Rio still gets only 2 free throws out of it, and they will get the ball since the BV T was last.

[Texas Aggie]

As long as the HEAD COACH (not any assistant) is not being confrontational -- either with the officials or the opposing player -- and is serving purely to pull his player(s) out of any fight, I'm going to rule he was beckoned and he won't be penalized. Note that my leash will be extremely short at this point, but if he can help, I'll take it.

The best advice I can give anyone on this rule is to carefully read it, then get 2 other officials, call yourself a crew, then come up with a scenario and work through it. We did that a few years ago at a chapter meeting and while we always need a refresher, it really helped understand the rule.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

As long as the HEAD COACH (not any assistant) is not being confrontational, either with the officials or the opposing player, and is serving purely to pull his player(s) out of any fight, I'm going to rule he was beckoned and he won't be penalized. Note that my leash will be extremely short at this point, but if he can help, I'll take it.

Agree, even the assistants are welcome in my game if they want to lend a hand.