Sometimes it just makes you chuckle . . .

[representing]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

You can't use 2-3 because this situation is addressed by the rules. If you catch it, drop it where you stand.

You could blow your whistle, go with the IW, and give the ball to the team who had control. In the OP, I might do that if all 10 players are just staring, but dropping the ball and stepping away would most likely get them to start playing again.

Why do that? What if you were standing just along the end line or the side line and it is obvious the ball was going to go out before anyone could grab it?

I had a ball thrown in my direction last weekend (might have mentioned this already) where I tried to duck. Player standing a few feet away from me (I didn't know he was there at the moment) came running in my direction (I don't think he knew I was there either) and ended up running into me. Hit my head hard with his arm, kneed me in the lower left back (that still hurts a little today when I'm running), and I ended up falling down on my bad knee. Player must have went down too or something because when I looked back the ball just rolled out of bounds with no one chasing it.

[referee99]

.... while making a graceful traveling violation call, stepped on the basketball which got loose after the travel, rolled his ankle and fell right on his a$$!

One never knows when the ankle gets a good roll, but despite soreness this morning, I felt no ill effects tonight for a double header tonight.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by representing

Why do that? What if you were standing just along the end line or the side line and it is obvious the ball was going to go out before anyone could grab it?

Ugh. You really don't have a good grasp of the rules and yet you continue to doll out advice. The official is no different than the spot on the floor where he is standing. If you are inbounds and the ball hits you or you catch it, just drop it. If you are out of bounds, then, and only then, would the ball be considered out of bounds.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by representing

Why do that? What if you were standing just along the end line or the side line and it is obvious the ball was going to go out before anyone could grab it?

Because it's the rule; go with it. Frankly, my decision here would be level of play. First of all, you can't just try to decide what would have happened if you hadn't caught the ball. You caught it, deal with it from there.

If you blow your whistle, you have an IW, and need to get the ball in play by the rules. The first stop along the decision route is to see if there was team control. A player threw a pass, so that team still has control. Their ball, easy and simple.

If you play on (ideal in most cases), drop it and step away. I personally have no problem with Scratch's choice. With everyone confused, sometimes it's just best to stop and re-set everyone's brains.