Mid-Season Review

[26 Year Gap]

When I was in VT, an IAABO state, the interpreter stated that pinning the ball to the floor does not constitute player control. What often happened was a request to Peter Webb and sometimes to Mary Struckhoff. From which source this interpretation came from, I am not sure. But, it makes sense to me that a player is not controlling a ball that is not being held or dribbled.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

But, it makes sense to me that a player is not controlling a ball that is not being held or dribbled.

Making sense is not necessarily a prerequisite of an official ruling.

Unless an interpretation comes from the FED rulesmakers or a state association office, it is only an opinion. And this particular play isn't definitively covered afaik. And that makes it a judgment call as to whether there was player control. Unfortunately, as per the linked old thread, the judgments differ.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Making sense is not necessarily a prerequisite of an official ruling.

Unless an interpretation comes from the FED rulesmakers or a state association office, it is only an opinion.

And I acted on that interpretation as IAABO is synonymous with officiating in VT. I have not heard anything official one way or the other since I moved.

4-12-1 A player is in control of the ball when he/she is holding or dribbling a live ball. There is no player control when during a jump ball, a jumper catches the ball prior to the ball touching the floor or a non-jumper, or during an interrupted dribble.

4-12-4 While the ball remains live, a loose ball always remains in control of the team whose player last had control, unless it is a try or tap for goal.

It appears that a ball being pinned is like a platypus.

[BktBallRef]

Well, I didn't bother with the original thread, and not sure why I'm bothering now, but I don't have player control if the ball is pinned to the floor without being held.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Well, I didn't bother with the original thread, and not sure why I'm bothering now, but I don't have player control if the ball is pinned to the floor without being held.

If it's never held before the pin, I agree.
If it's held up until the pin, I think it's continuous control just like setting the ball down to stand up.