Guys,

Did a boys freshmen game recently and the game was fairly physical. At one point, while I was on lead, there was a loose ball and as the guys were trying to gain control of the ball a few arms got tangled and resulted in some signifigant contact. Both the players and the coaches looked at me like "call SOMEthing!" but honestly I didn't know what to call! Young men going for the ball is certainly going to cause some contact and as I think back, I can't remember any ONE player that I would consider as the major perpetrator of the contact.

What do you guys (or gals) do in this situation?

Thanks for the help.

Paul

From your description I think that a no call was appropriate because of the concept of incidental contact, as long as this contact was not too physical. Of course, one could ask how much contact is not too much...and this is a judgement call on the part of the officials. Come to think of it, almost everything we call or don't call is a judgement call to one degree or another. The bottom line is that no one can say definitively after the fact what the correct call is since we were not there to see the actual incident. Good luck and keep on running.

Some guys will tell you that when you get a big pile or a big tangle, just call something. Make it up if you have to, but get the kids off the floor before somebody does something really stupid.

I am not in that camp. If you see something call it immediately. Get the first one. If you don't have anything, then let them work it out themselves. Just my opinion.

Chuck

Firedoc and Chuck's remarks are on point, and I think that they will also agree when it comes to a situation like yours is if you cannot explain then do not call it.

I'd have to say that as long as no one is gaining an advantage or in imminent danger of being injured a no call is a perfectly reasonable judgement.

If you think that that kind of play deserves some kind of call (make sure it's not based on the pleadings of the coach or the fans :)) you can always reach in that official's-bag-o-tricks and pull out the "Double Personal." It's a great way to stop play, cool tempers, and send a message.

The above points are well taken. What I often see however, and what I call, is one player that is holding or pushing in order to get a better position. That is what I call. If all kids are going for the ball and not interfering with another player's efforts (hard to believe it could happen) then it is whoever gets the ball.

Generally I see a kid from behind (farther from the ball) hold, push, or jump into a player that is closer to the ball. FOUL.

I'll stick with no call before giving a foul to both teams' most aggressive players and possibly put them in foul trouble because "I had to call something."

With that said, I have called a held ball and went to the arrow.

Stan

A jump ball might be appropriate here.

Usually this sitch is followed by cries of "Get control of the game ref!" or, "This ain't football!" It would be nice if every one in the stands knew what we knew. (Or maybe it would'nt!)

Incidental Contact
 

According to Rule 4-27-2:
Incidental contact which is permitted:
Contact which occurs unintentionally in an effort by an opponent to reach a loose ball, or contact which may result when opponents are in equally favorable positions to perform normal...movements, should not be considered illegal, even though the contact is severe.

So, unless a player gains an advantage through the contact or there is a safety issue, I'd say let 'em play.