"It's Totally Automatic" (Pointer Sisters) ...

[BillyMac]

I realize that there is no such thing as an "automatic" intentional foul, that each situation must be dealt with on its own merits, however, I believe that many Forum members would agree that the following plays, especially late in the game, would probably be called intentional fouls almost every time: Defense grabs the jersey, defense pushes from behind, or defense bear hugs the offensive player.

At our local board meeting today it was suggested that we should add this to our "almost automatic" list: Player without the ball being held.

Comments?

[APG]

As is, I think that statement is very poor.

[Adam]

Actually, I think they're all worded poorly (except the bear hug). Personally, my criteria for an intentional foul are the same in the 1st Quarter as they are in the last 60 seconds.

[constable]

push to the back should be as close to automatic as you can get from what we are told- regardless of the time it occurs in the game. Jersey grab is pretty similar.

[doubleringer]

Personally, I think we make mistakes as officials when we talk about "automatic" fouls. I think a better discussion would be to break down the exact wording of the definition in the rules book, go through the casebook plays, and if you can, watch some tape of game situations. Coaches and fans can think of things having to be "automatic", but every play is different and we have to be prepared to apply the rule to those situations.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by doubleringer

Personally, I think we make mistakes as officials when we talk about "automatic" fouls. I think a better discussion would be to break down the exact wording of the definition in the rules book, go through the casebook plays, and if you can, watch some tape of game situations. Coaches and fans can think of things having to be "automatic", but every play is different and we have to be prepared to apply the rule to those situations.

Why do you think it's a mistake when the NFHS rulesmakers have instructed us over and over...and over....what we should deem as being "automatic" fouls?

I just pulled an old rule book out at random and found this...

From the 2005-06 rulebook, here's a POE that has been issued by the NFHS rulesmakers in various forms at least 3 times that I know of.....
POE #3- Intentional Fouls:
Anytime in the game. Acts that neutralize an opponent's obvious advantageous position and MUST be deemed intentional include:
- Excessive contact on any player attempting a shot.
- Grabbing or shoving a player from behind when an easy basket may be scored.
- Grabbing and holding a player from behind or away from the ball
These are non-basketball plays and must be considered intentional fouls anytime they occur during the game.

Other POE's specifically mentioned grabbing a jersey as always being an intentional foul.

My own opinion is that BillyMac's local IAABO Board is simply following very definitive NFHS direction. The NFHS issues these POE's to let us know how they want the game called. Unfortunately it seems that a lot of them are forgotten almost as soon as they're read...if they are read.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

From the 2005-06 rulebook: POE #3- Intentional Fouls: Anytime in the game. Acts that neutralize an opponent's obvious advantageous position and must be deemed intentional include:
- Excessive contact on any player attempting a shot.
- Grabbing or shoving a player from behind when an easy basket may be scored.
- Grabbing and holding a player from behind or away from the ball
These are non-basketball plays and must be considered intentional fouls anytime they occur during the game.

Thanks Jurassic Referee. That's the citation that I was looking for.