DOG Warning Question

[McMac]

The other night, MS Boys game, White after every free-throw attempt (made or missed), the players on the lane and those outside will come up and contact the free-thrower. When I officiated in Florida, we were told to give the DOG warning and then T if it continued. Now that I have moved to SC, I have had officials tell me not to call this.

Heeding their advice ("When in Rome...") I have refrained from calling it because most teams have not been doing it or have been talked out of continuing it during a game. But this team was delaying us administering the subsequent FTs every time because the other 4 players just had to go up and give the shooter some skin. I had told them at least twice to knock it off. So finally in the third quarter, I call the DOG for contacting the free-thrower between FTs per 4-47-2 and 10-1-5d. Coach asked what it was for, and I told him that his players were delaying us administering FTs. So we go a few minutes before another shooting foul and they go again and all high five/pat the free-thrower. I call the T on it and coach is not happy. I told him again, it is considered a delay and this is the second DOG of the game.

What would any of you do differently here? I know that I did what is right by the book, but something inside does not feel right.

[bob jenkins]

"Delay the game" is a relative thing. In SC (it seems), the time it takes to contact the free thrower is not a delay. (Nor, in normal circumstances, is it here. By the time the L gets the ball, checks with the partners on the number of shots, checks for subs at the tabel, the players are back in position.)

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

"Delay the game" is a relative thing. In SC (it seems), the time it takes to contact the free thrower is not a delay. (Nor, in normal circumstances, is it here. By the time the L gets the ball, checks with the partners on the number of shots, checks for subs at the tabel, the players are back in position.)

+1

I had a player tonight cross the lane and talk to a teammate. Told them once to stop the meetings, and didn't have to worry about it again.

The key is, yet again, when in Rome....

[refiator]

Did you give the warning loudly and to the table so that the coach knew what you were doing and why? I'd hate to see a tech called when the coach is allowing this action based on the fact that it's "normal" in SC, and only a few players were aware of the warning.

[McMac]

Yes. I reported the warning to the table and to the coach. Coach asked what the delay was. I told him it was for contacting the free-thrower between free-throws. I also told him I had told the players prior to giving the DOG warning.

[bainsey]

I think I've called this DOG maybe 2-3 times in my seven years officiating. Simply put, if I'm ready to distribute the ball, and they're still slapping, it's a DOG. However, as Bob pointed out, there's a fair amount that has to be done before I'm ready. So, if you're going to slap hands (and they usually do), make it fast.

[refiator]

Originally Posted by McMac

Yes. I reported the warning to the table and to the coach. Coach asked what the delay was. I told him it was for contacting the free-thrower between free-throws. I also told him I had told the players prior to giving the DOG warning.

Then I certainly have no problem with the call and the coach has no one to be upset with other than himself. I would still be very careful about this and be sure you are not in too much of a hurry... though it didn't sound as though you were.