Who's calling 'palming' on this video

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

It's silly to you because you are familiar, and are aware of, the similarities, and differences, between at least two different rule sets. Every year IAABO gives us a card that lists the differences between NFHS, and NCAA, rules. I never even look at the card because I only care about NFHS rules. Until you told me that a carry in high school is the same as a carry in college, I didn't know that. Now I do, so if I ever have a dream, or a nightmare, that I'm officiating an NCAA game, then I guess I'll call this a carry. Keep in mind that the original video was from an NBA game. Other than watching a few Celtics games every year on television, I have no interest at all in NBA games, and thus I have no interest in, or knowledge of, NBA rules, which why I stated my interpretation for a high school game scenario, not an interpretation relating to the NBA video.

Well considering that NF interpreted a carry was "more than a handshake" I did not see that in this video quite that way. The ball on some level is going to come to rest in most dribbler's hand at some point and this just does not pass the smell test for me. There are such things as legal hesitations dribbles. If you only care about NF rules, then it seems really silly to comment on what other levels do when you are not aware. Just so you know, the rules on this are basically the same at all levels of basketball. Heck most rules are the same if you want to know the truth.

I also think that high school officials often try to call any little infraction without really taking a look at the bigger picture of the game. Not saying that is you, but you did point out what you would do in a HS game as if the other levels would do or would be instructed differently. Just pointing out that this is not true.

Peace

[Twinfan]

I would call it if I thought the action was a violation and, in this case presented by the OP, if the violation gained the attacker an advantage over the defender. As most guys have said, there seems to be a marginal case to be made that the move was a violation. However, I'm a bit suspicious that the angle of the video might not be giving us enough information. It looks possible to me that at the top of the dribble the attacker slightly repositioned his hand so that the ball was momentarily supported by his two bottom fingers. At that point, he seems to beat the defender with a sudden change of direction.

If I were on the floor and the attacker made the described hesitation move but was also able to manipulate the ball sideways by supporting the ball momentarily in order to beat the defender, I would call it. If he changed the ball's direction without supporting the weight of the ball, no call. For me, this one is "had to be there" and it will be all about the angle that you have on viewing the path of the ball.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Twinfan

If the violation gained the attacker an advantage over the defender ... a marginal case to be made that the move was a violation ... not be giving us enough information.

Throughout my thirty-two years of officiating, I've had many occasions where a player has made a move, as demonstrated in the original video, that caught me by surprise. I've usually "passed" on such a "gray area" call, but filed it back in my brain to be more observant when that player tries such a move later in the game. If the player tries it again, I can be ready to get a really good look at it, apply the rule, apply the philosophy of advantage/disadvantage, see the whole play, and either pass on the play again, or sound my whistle for a violation.

In some cases, if the opportunity presents itself, I may say to the player's coach, usually an assistant coach, during a timeout, "I don't like 32's crossover move. It may be a carry. I'm going to try to get a good look at it", so that if I decide to call the violation, the coach is prepared for the call. I know that some of you guys don't like talking to coaches, and I've been criticized for doing so in the past by local observers, but at this point in my career, I'm not going to change, and most of the coaches seem to appreciate my open communication with them.