Was he in the act of shooting?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Seems it's not so much a judgment call as it is a matter of identifying when the act of shooting begins.

Hope that helps you on a topic I'm continually studying, too.

Try studying rule NFHS 6-7-EXCEPTION(c). That tells you when the act of shooting begins for both a try and a tap.

Then it becomes a judgment call.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Try studying rule NFHS 6-7-EXCEPTION(c). That tells you when the act of shooting begins for both a try and a tap.

Then it becomes a judgment call.

This is, of course, correct.

I went through a phase in which I was calling non-shooting fouls when the foulee was gathering the ball. This was not the "expected" call, and I heard about it. I also learned (by following JR's method) that I was applying the rule incorrectly.

I am not a fan of "always make the expected call," but it's worth reflecting on the situation if you're routinely not making the expected call. Expectations are often, though not always, correct.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Try studying rule NFHS 6-7-EXCEPTION(c).

Excellent advice! That reference is spot on, and adds some good, descriptive phraseology not included in previous mentioned definitions. I just checked the definition of "Continuous Motion" and was reminded of more helpful insights found there. Putting all these references together in one place pretty much provides quite a conclusive case for when this judgment call can and should be made.
And though neither rulebook nor casebook use the term "gathering the ball", as was said by mbyron, that term does seem to adequately describe what all the references dictate, I think.
To which the opposing coach will complain, "No way he was in the act of shooting!" To which I will say to myself, "Get a book, coach."