Swinging Elbow

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I believe that excessive swinging of elbows (NFHS) has gone from a violation, to a technical foul, back to a violation? I'm sure that Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. will be moseying along shortly to confirm, or deny, my ancient interpretation. A reminder to Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., per our merger with Twitter, posts must be 140 characters, or less.

You are correct, sir...

2002-03 NFHS Basketball Rule Changes
9-13 New Changes the penalty for excessively swinging arms or elbow(s) to a violation (from a technical foul).

PENALTY CHANGED FOR EXCESS SWINGING OF ARM(S)/ELBOW(S) (9-13 NEW): The penalty for excess swinging of the arm(s) or elbow(s) has been changed back to a violation from a technical foul. The previous rule of a technical foul (changed in 1993-94) was very seldom called, as the penalty was very severe: two shots, the ball awarded to the opponent, the player charged with one technical, which also counts toward that player’s five for disqualification and the team foul count; all without any contact on the opponent. The primary purpose of penalizing these types of movements is to reduce the potential toward rough play. The committee hopes that by changing the infraction back to an enforceable and less severe penalty (a violation), the call will be made more frequently and will achieve the desired results. If a player makes contact with an opponent while excessively swinging the arm(s)/elbow(s), the official still has several options: a player control foul, an intentional foul or a flagrant foul. The specific call should be determined by the severity of the act and player intent (based on official’s judgment).