If I could change one rule, it would be....

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

To me, it's like all the effort at fixing the "problem" of extra fouls late in the game.

The fix for this is "making free throws."

I did call an intentional last week, though, my first one in two years. Two handed push in the back on a late break, similar to the one in the college game a week or so ago. Too many people think that because the player is trying to foul, it's intentional -- and they just don't get the spirit and intent of what the rule is trying to prevent.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Too many people think that because the player is trying to foul, it's intentional -- and they just don't get the spirit and intent of what the rule is trying to prevent.

Or, they think that fouling is "part of the game" (cringe), and calling an intentional is ruining that part of that game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bainsey

They think that fouling is "part of the game".

Be careful here bainsey. Forum members who are not officials may misunderstand you. According to the NFHS, fouling is part of the game:

NFHS 2006-07 Point of Emphasis Intentional Fouls: "Fouling is an accepted coaching strategy late in the game"

NFHS 2005-06 Point of Emphasis Intentional Fouls: Fouling is an accepted coaching strategy and is utilized by nearly all coaches in some form. It is viewed as a chance for a team behind in the score to get back in the game while the clock is stopped."

Originally Posted by bainsey

Calling an intentional is ruining that part of that game.

Agree. Stoopid fans. Stoopid coaches. Stoopid players.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Be careful here bainsey. Forum members who are not officials may misunderstand you. According to the NFHS, fouling is part of the game:

Fair enough, Billy. How about, in their eyes, "fouling without making any effort to go for the ball is part of the game?"

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Fair enough, Billy. How about, in their eyes, "fouling without making any effort to go for the ball is part of the game?"

Most "fans" don't have a clue about the difference between a common foul and intentional foul.....along with a whole bunch of other rules we discussed here many times.

As BillyMac said, fouling is an accepted part of late game strategy. IMHO, it is the responsibility of the officials to make sure it doesn't get out of hand, and for that to happen we need to do two things:
1. Be aware of the situation and when you know they're trying to foul, call the foul immediately, even something that we might normally pass on - don't wait and let the contact escalate.
2. Don't hesitate to call the intentional foul when it occurs - make it clear that there is a right way and wrong way to implement this strategy, and the officials are going to enforce it.

If we, as officials, are uniformly consistent on this, the coaches will be forced to teach their players the right way if they want to use this strategy, and it won't be an issue.

-----

On the subject of shot clocks, I believe that cost is a factor. Schools all over this region are facing huge budget shortfalls and having to make cuts. Another is the ability to get enough table crew together to run them for early games, particularly the sub-varsity ones. Some schools have trouble getting just a scorekeeper and game clock operator. I don't think it's much of an issue for the officials. The End of the Trail tournaments here use them along with a modified version of NCAAW rules, and I don't know any officials that have had a problem making the adjustments.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

1. Be aware of the situation and when you know they're trying to foul, call the foul immediately, even something that we might normally pass on - don't wait and let the contact escalate.

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul. I've seen official pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? HERE'S a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul. I've seen official pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? HERE'S a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

I understand your point, Rich, but isn't it wrong to reward an offending team for an illegal act?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I've seen officials pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? Here's a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

Stoopid rookie officials.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul.

I agree, but there are limits. I've seen a player literally reach out and grab his opponent's jersey with 2 fingers, then look at me expectantly. That's intentional or nothing, usually nothing.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul. I've seen official pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? HERE'S a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

While I am more inclined to call a foul on contact that is right along the line between incidental and illegal, I'm not going to reward sloppy taps with foul calls either if there's no advantage.

Particularly if the offense is trying to avoid being fouled.

OTOH, if the offense is content to allow the foul, I'm likely to call first contact.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

On the subject of shot clocks, I don't know any officials that have had a problem making the adjustments.

Now you know one, me. Here in my little corner of Connecticut, we use shot clocks only for prep schools, boys and girls, only for varsity games (no freshman (thirds) or junior varsity). I'm a 100% NFHS official, I know more about rocket science, and brain surgery, than I do about NCAA rules.

I only see a shot clock about once, or twice, each season. I always hope that my partner is an NCAA trained official, and/or that the table is well trained in shot clock rules, and interpretations.

I kind of know the rules, our interpreter provides a shot clock rule sheet for us. My partner and I go over this sheet during our pregame, but this nothing like experience to really understand shot clock rules, and interpretations. It's tough to get this experience working only a few shot clock games each season.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I know more about rocket science, and brain surgery, than I do about NCAA rules.

In the words of the Immortal Dave, when explaining a rule interp to a coach, "Hey, it's not rocket surgery".

Now the good news - Dave has come back to our local kids rec league this year. I can't wait to get some games with him. He left us for about four years, but couldn't resist our game fee increase this season, especially since he lives right in town here.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Or, they think that fouling is "part of the game" (cringe), and calling an intentional is ruining that part of that game.

It is part of the game. The NFHS has said so. If the players foul in the right way, whether they intend to foul or not, it doesn't matter.

An intentional foul should pretty much call itself and the official should be prepared to step up and make the call when it happens.