It looked ugly

[LarryS]

Last night, varsity girls. Early in the second quarter, A1 is pushing the ball up court and B1 is back peddling positioned between A1 and the basket. B1 trips over her own foot, A1 starts to go around and trips over her own foot. Both girls go down and ball rolls OOB. The only contact between the girls was after the both had bounce when the hit the floor hard. I simply give the ball to team B and played on. Crowd, coaches and players involved on both sides are all going nuts yelling for something. I honestly did not see any contact until after both girls had hit the floor from their own inability to avoid their own feet. At half, my partner says that when something that ugly happens, call a foul on someone...that way at least half the gym settles down.

What, if anything, would you have call given the above scenario? I don't think we should make up a foul.

Your thoughts?

[williebfree]

If I understand the situation correctly, I would have done the same. If there is nothing to call, call nothing.

[hawkk]

Seems to me you hit the nail on the head.

Fouls b/c it looks ugly do a disservice to the game -- just like calling travelling b/c it looks ugly

[theboys]

On top of that, you could be putting a player unnecessarily in foul trouble, changing the complexion of the game. Hey, players don't need help getting in foul trouble!

[ScottParks]

Originally posted by LarryS
Last night, varsity girls. Early in the second quarter, A1 is pushing the ball up court and B1 is back peddling positioned between A1 and the basket. B1 trips over her own foot, A1 starts to go around and trips over her own foot. Both girls go down and ball rolls OOB. The only contact between the girls was after the both had bounce when the hit the floor hard. I simply give the ball to team B and played on. Crowd, coaches and players involved on both sides are all going nuts yelling for something. I honestly did not see any contact until after both girls had hit the floor from their own inability to avoid their own feet. At half, my partner says that when something that ugly happens, call a foul on someone...that way at least half the gym settles down.

What, if anything, would you have call given the above scenario? I don't think we should make up a foul.

Your thoughts?

When the gym "settles down" I lose half my laughs for the night. If what you described is what happened, then how can you call a foul? Who would you call it on? Did you tell your partner there was no contact you saw? Did you ask him what he saw?