The Spin Move

[Bad Zebra]

I searched for previous threads on this topic but I came up empty. I apologize if it's been debated already.

In the past couple weeks I have watched multiple NCAA games. With the benefit of a DVR with pause/rewind function, I have been analyzing the spin move. In the vast majority of instances (I'd say 10 out of 12), it is CLEARLY a travel. The other two were inconclusive due to traffic in the lane. The key obviously is finding and watching what happens with the pivot foot. My interest in this move resulted from a recent game of mine where I whistled a B-V player THREE times for traveling while attempting spin moves. Coach claimed nobody whistled the kid all season for it, and I believe him. Therein lies my frustration. Very few of my peers seem to be calling it. Very few NCAA D1 officials seem to call it.

Am I on an island here? Should I just lay off and go with the flow?

I welcome all opinions.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I searched for previous threads on this topic but I came up empty. I apologize if it's been debated already.

In the past couple weeks I have watched multiple NCAA games. With the benefit of a DVR with pause/rewind function, I have been analyzing the spin move. In the vast majority of instances (I'd say 10 out of 12), it is CLEARLY a travel. The other two were inconclusive due to traffic in the lane. The key obviously is finding and watching what happens with the pivot foot. My interest in this move resulted from a recent game of mine where I whistled a B-V player THREE times for traveling while attempting spin moves. Coach claimed nobody whistled the kid all season for it, and I believe him. Therein lies my frustration. Very few of my peers seem to be calling it. Very few NCAA D1 officials seem to call it.

Am I on an island here? Should I just lay off and go with the flow?

I welcome all opinions.

I called two last night. Clear change of pivot foot. Coached asked about it and didn't seem surprised by my response.

I don't guarantee I get all of them, but I do my best.

[just another ref]

You're not on an island. I see the same thing a lot. All you need to see are the before and after pictures. Both feet are on the floor. Both feet on the floor again several feet away. No dribble in between. Not hard to figure.

[Rich]

I had one the other night where I had to look away from the ball cause there was a serious turf war in front of me that required my attention (2-person). When I looked back not a second or two later, I notice the pivot foot had changed. Nobody said a word and I couldn't call it then. I wish I had stayed on-ball, but there wasn't great pressure and I felt the impending doom in front of me was more important.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Coach claimed nobody whistled the kid all season for it.

I had a coach claim the similar, "You're the first one to call it," a few games ago. My response: "Thank you."

Coach laughed. Fans laughed. Players laughed.

A few trips later, wehn I was in front of the bench, coach said, "I guess I have to stop giving you compliments."

(Note: Use at your own risk. But, you can at least think it.)

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I had a coach claim the similar, "You're the first one to call it," a few games ago. My response: "Thank you."
Coach laughed. Fans laughed. Players laughed.

A few trips later, wehn I was in front of the bench, coach said, "I guess I have to stop giving you compliments."

(Note: Use at your own risk. But, you can at least think it.)

Stolen! I love it!

[Bad Zebra]

Anyone have a theory as to why it's seldom called at high level D1?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Anyone have a theory as to why it's seldom called at high level D1?

Game interrupter.

I'm not advocating that view, just offering it in answer to the question.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Anyone have a theory as to why it's seldom called at high level D1?

Not only do they not call it, tv replays it and brags on what a beautiful move it was.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Not only do they not call it, tv replays it and brags on what a beautiful move it was.

And then when the kid who does it in my game gets called for it, I get, "hey ref, ever watch any basketball?"

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by mbyron

And then when the kid who does it in my game gets called for it, I get, "hey ref, ever watch any basketball?"

Part of my pregame to the boys includes something like this:

"We are not NBA officials, and you are not NBA players. Know where your pivot foot is. Dribble with your hand on top of the ball. Every time you watch Kobe and Lebron on Sportscenter, you will see something that is pretty to watch, and most likely will be illegal in this game tonight."

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by just another ref

"We are not NBA officials, and you are not NBA players. Know where your pivot foot is. Dribble with your hand on top of the ball. Every time you watch Kobe and Lebron on Sportscenter, you will see something that is pretty to watch, and most likely will be illegal in this game tonight."

I know what you mean. But that's about 50 words longer than my captains' meeting spiel.

[eyezen]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Part of my pregame to the boys includes something like this:

"We are not NBA officials, and you are not NBA players. Know where your pivot foot is. Dribble with your hand on top of the ball. Every time you watch Kobe and Lebron on Sportscenter, you will see something that is pretty to watch, and most likely will be illegal in this game tonight."

Please tell me you're being sarcastic and don't really say that...

[Juulie Downs]

Originally Posted by mbyron

And then when the kid who does it in my game gets called for it, I get, "hey ref, ever watch any basketball?"

"Not tonight, coach, that's for sure!"

[JoeT]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Anyone have a theory as to why it's seldom called at high level D1?

Out on a limb here, but maybe there's some influence from the Non-Basketball Association involved.

Recently, I've seen couple coaches teach a version of the spin move that was clearly illegal. One referred to it as the "Earl Monroe" move, so I went back and looked at some old Pearl footage. The coach had been teaching a move where the player essentially whips the ball around the body with one hand while making a running reverse pivot - looked illegal as hell to me. Monroe, on the other hand, incorporated a dribble into his spin, switch his dribbling hand as the ball was behind him - gorgeous and perfectly legal to my eye.

See:
YouTube - Ultimate Earl "The Pearl" Monroe MIX