Debunking the "over the back" myth

[just another ref]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

But jar, that's not the problem. The problem is that coaches yell "Over the back!" whenever the player behind reaches of his opponent's head, makes no contact, or there's contact within the vertical plane, and gets the rebound. They don't understand the rules. [/B]

I think that's the point I was trying to make. What they yell is not the problem. Is it really a problem at all?
They also yell "Travel!" when neither foot moved. They yell
"Ten seconds!" when the actual count is at seven. Right words, wrong call, thanks anyway, coach. Some don't understand the rules. Some think if they yell for everything you will give them something. Many, I think, are just so overwhelmed by their intensity and desire to win the game that their perception of a play and the resulting call (or no call) is warped beyond belief. The truth is that push often does not describe the contact which results when the outside player commits a foul while trying to rebound. I am certainly not suggesting that officials change their signals or terminology to pacify any coach, I am merely saying that when you hear "Over the back" you treat it the same way you do when the coach calls time out after the other team's made basket and wants to know if he gets the ball at midcourt.