Partner tosses coach

[Fathertime]

I have tapped the ball back scores of times and thought nothing of it. It is almost always momentary confusion on the player's part or a lack of understanding of the rules by a younger player. Either way, it is a nothing moment and me dodging the ball makes it something and puts me in the spotlight. Somewhat the opposite of preventive officiating.

I just don't see any reason to dodge the ball. Tap it and play on.

[Bad Zebra]

I too would have just tapped the ball and let it fall or bounce back to the player. These are 5th & 6th graders, not varsity or college players...they may not know any better. As a former youth coach, I can see his perspective. It looks like the kid was set up to violate. Just the same, it's not a license to loose your mind and go off.

[Vinski]

Originally Posted by Fathertime

I just don't see any reason to dodge the ball. Tap it and play on.

You make a good point. I’m trying to think of a reason why I should dodge the ball at any level as opposed to just tapping it back.

What would you do if you try to dodge it and it still glances of your knee and bounces once on the OOB side and then onto the court. I believe you would have to go with a violation for not passing the ball directly onto the court.

What is the rational for not tapping it back to the thrower in say a varsity game?

[zm1283]

I tapped it back to a player last year while being evaluated in a high school game and the evaluator commended me for it. It's good game management if you ask me. If usually only happens with junior high kids who don't have a clue what they're doing.

With that said, the coach definitely deserved to go if he acted like Mark said he did.

[Amesman]

Originally Posted by Vinski

What is the rational for not tapping it back to the thrower in say a varsity game?

Agreed younger kids can get a lift here. But for varsity, would you tap it back to a passer who's inbounds, say in a half-court set, and mistakenly flips it your way? There's your answer.

[Scratch85]

Originally Posted by Amesman

Agreed younger kids can get a lift here. But for varsity, would you tap it back to a passer who's inbounds, say in a half-court set, and mistakenly flips it your way? There's your answer.

I don't think the two situations are similar.

I have had this happen in girls V games more than once. I don't tap it back "to them" but I do let it hit me or stop it with my hand before it hits me and continue (or start) my count. After all, hitting an official is just like hitting the floor and a player (after a goal) can run the end line, pass along the endline, dribble and do almost anything they want for 5 seconds.

[Back In The Saddle]

I don't see why I should dodge the ball or just let it hit me. I do not need to touch the ball after a made basket, but the rules do not prohibit me touching it. The player gains no advantage by tossing me the ball, he may even lose a fast break opportunity. Nobody is going to get surprised because the official unwittingly participated in a "trick play".

I'm there to facilitate the game. So if a kid has a brain fart and tosses me the ball after a made basket, I just toss it back to him and we go on. If it happens again, I'd probably talk to the kid at a break. But why would I make any kind of issue of it?

[grunewar]

I too am from the camp of either sticking my hand out and allowing the ball hit it and drop straight down or just flicking it back to the player. I am more likely to say something like, "I don't need it after a basket" if they are young (sub Freshman HS).

I must admit, it never occurred to me to purposely move out of the way and let the ball go.

[Mark Padgett]

Years ago, I was watching the end of a game, waiting for my shift to start. I saw one of the officials jump out of the way of the ball in this situation. After the game, I asked him why he did it. He said it was just a reflex, the same as he does if the ball comes towards him on the court. He just couldn't help reacting that way.

Sounded logical to me.

[TheOracle]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I don't see why I should dodge the ball or just let it hit me. I do not need to touch the ball after a made basket, but the rules do not prohibit me touching it. The player gains no advantage by tossing me the ball, he may even lose a fast break opportunity. Nobody is going to get surprised because the official unwittingly participated in a "trick play".

I'm there to facilitate the game. So if a kid has a brain fart and tosses me the ball after a made basket, I just toss it back to him and we go on. If it happens again, I'd probably talk to the kid at a break. But why would I make any kind of issue of it?

Great advice, especially at that level.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by TheOracle

Great advice, especially at that level.

Just to be clear, this is my philosophy at any level I work. I had this happen in a college women's game recently (I'm sure it was their first game of the season) and just tossed it back to the lady.

[Loudwhistle]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I don't see why I should dodge the ball or just let it hit me. I do not need to touch the ball after a made basket, but the rules do not prohibit me touching it. The player gains no advantage by tossing me the ball, he may even lose a fast break opportunity. Nobody is going to get surprised because the official unwittingly participated in a "trick play".

I'm there to facilitate the game. So if a kid has a brain fart and tosses me the ball after a made basket, I just toss it back to him and we go on. If it happens again, I'd probably talk to the kid at a break. But why would I make any kind of issue of it?

Strongly agree, especially at this level 5th-6th. In some cases in my area a kid's fifth grade year may be their first year of organized basketball. Mark's partner sounds a little to over zealous for this level of play. Glad he tossed the coach.

[Back In The Saddle]

I agree about tossing the coach.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

So if a kid has a brain fart and tosses me the ball after a made basket, I just toss it back to him and we go on. If it happens again, I'd probably talk to the kid at a break. But why would I make any kind of issue of it?

Agreed

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Vinski

What is the rational for not tapping it back to the thrower in say a varsity game?

I don't mean to pick on you, but you have the unfortunate honor of being the 1000th poster I have seen make this error. That entitles you to a correction free of charge.

rational = an adjective meaning reasonable, warranted, or justified

rationale = a noun meaning a purpose, a justification, or an objective

[/offhighhorse]