loose ball in backcourt

[IUgrad92]

Originally Posted by rsl

Unfortunately, I think you are right, tref.

Since I didn't have a count, I waited about five more seconds, then made the call. It wasn't a very popular call.

On the other hand, The defense had now held in the backcourt for sixteen seconds. It didn't seem fair to them not to reward their effort.

But I had a credibility problem for the rest of the night, because no one else in the gym (including my partner) understood team control. They all thought I was crazy.

If you were 110% sure, I have no problem with it. Especially since you were 'in the play' at half-court and were engaged verses watching from the opposite endline. I'll reference 1.2.15 of the NFHS Officials Manual.

Now I wouldn't make this call right at 10 seconds, but like you said in the OP, you were at 16 with basically no end in sight, I probably would have done the same. There are 2-3 officials on the court for a reason. That's a normal point in pre-games I am a part of. If something happens in my area and I have a mental lapse, I want my partner(s) to come help. My feelings will not be hurt. Now a 50/50 call is something totally different.

Why would you care about credibility with people that don't understand team control? Personally, I'm not losing sleep over that one. However, if I don't make that backcourt call and that team eventually scored on that possession and they end up winning the game by 1 point, then I would probably have a tougher time sleeping.

IMHO, there is a fine line with letting you're partner eat a non-call verses helping your partner on an obvious foul or violation. And when I say obvious, I mean obvious to any other basketball official that actually knows the rules.