NFHS: Excessively swinging elbows

[chartrusepengui]

Originally Posted by jdmara

I'm going to be a little bit of a devil's advocate here (with great consideration that this is a HTBT-type play). If the elbow lands a direct blow to the face and knocks the opposing player to the ground, I'm going with a flagrant in this case. Obviously there was excessive force (so we at least have an intentional personal foul) but a blow to the face is violent by nature, isn't it?
-Josh

Disagree. Had a game with a big (really big - like 6'11" 300#) guy gets rebound in middle of lane. He chins the ball and pivots. As he pivots, he catches B1 who was behind him, over opposite shoulder but moving accross lane turning to get back on defense. A1 caught him square in the kisser with his elbow as he pivoted. B1 hits floor. A1 got foul but it was not flagrant in this case. There was no intent - I don't think he knew B1 was coming across behind him. No problems with either coach on the call. You have to judge each case on its own merits.