Sideline: Forced OOB

[rocketpast]

As a former player, current youth coach and varsity official - you have to give the defense a call in this situation. Either OOB or PC.

Coaches teach defensive players to cut off baseline & sideline. The defensive player was doing this. I'm sorry, one foot is not a 'reasonable gap' for a player to avoid contact. The defensive player does not have to be plowed over for a PC call to be made.

Second, this is a Middle School game. If a player at this level gets him/herself into good defensive position, then they must be rewarded with a call if contact is made. Most kids at this age do not know how to 'take a charge' properly by flopping to the ground. Give the girl the call!!

Some posts referred to 'displacement' of the defensive player. What happens when a 125 pound sophomore guard drives the lane and a 280 pound senior football player in shorts gets position? The little guy goes flying & the big guy doesn't flinch. Most officials (not all) call the foul against the defender because he was not 'displaced' or have nothing. This is what frustrates big guys. They then realize they won't get a call so next time they just pummel the kid. Your game just went into the crapper because you did not reward the defense for good play.

I could go on & on about how most officials do not reward good defensive play and how that comes back to ruin their game. However, I'll stop. And, 'yes', the rule book does support you calling a PC foul in the original situation.