Well, this was a first...

[stir22]

Hi all...

Boys 7th grade the other night. A1 was bring the ball down, and attempts a pass to the wing. B1 goes for the steal, and comes close, but the ball goes out of bound when he touches it and cannot control it. Small gym- B1 catches the ball off the wall, and, mad at himself for not getting the steal and breakaway bounces the ball. Not bad, it went maybe 7 feet in the air. He catches it and tosses it back to me. During the next time out, B1's coach calls me over and, heatedly tells me that I should have given his player a T. I say coach, it didn't warrant a T.

I'm a 5th year guy, so, I'm pretty confident in what I think is a T, but was just wondering what you all think. I asked my partner at halftime, and he said that he wouldn't have T'd him either.

[Raymond]

By your description I don't see this being a 'T'.

Coach could always feel free to bench the kid if he felt punishment was warranted. (only after some free throws though )

[grunewar]

Maybe HTBT, but this doesn't sound that bad.

[Camron Rust]

Not a T....not even close.

The slamming of a ball itself is not what the T is for....it is merely the expression of emotion. Sometimes, however, that emotion is illegal, sometimes it is not. If it is to express displeasure with a call/no-call, the slamming of the ball is the display of emotion and disagreement that should be a T. If it is to express disappointment in response to failing to make the desired play, no T (assuming the ball wasn't made unavailable by the action, which is a different issue). The slamming of the ball itself should be judged on what is behind the action.

[JugglingReferee]

No T in my opinion. That's tame and is just a bounce, and not a slam.

[twocentsworth]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Not a T....not even close.

The slamming of a ball itself is not what the T is for....it is merely the expression of emotion. Sometimes, however, that emotion is illegal, sometimes it is not. If it is to express displeasure with a call/no-call, the slamming of the ball is the display of emotion and disagreement that should be a T. If it is to express disappointment in response to failing to make the desired play, no T (assuming the ball wasn't made unavailable by the action, which is a different issue). The slamming of the ball itself should be judged on what is behind the action.

Print this post and hand to those players, coaches, parents, fans, & partners when a kid slams the ball down in reaction to a play....

Well said!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by twocentsworth

Well said!

I agree that it's well said, however, I always hate to be put in a situation where I am forced to "read the mind" of a player.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Not a T....not even close... (assuming the ball wasn't made unavailable by the action, which is a different issue)..

Agree...and since you brought that point up...I don't like it when players are frustrated (even just with themselves) and slam the ball or even place the ball on the floor and expect us to go get it.

Some here may think that is being lazy or arrogant of an official with that attitude...but, there is rule backing if you think you need it...

10-3-5b

..."failing when in possession, to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a whistle blows."

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

Agree...and since you brought that point up...I don't like it when players are frustrated (even just with themselves) and slam the ball or even place the ball on the floor and expect us to go get it.

A player can "expect" all he wants. With very limited exception, I'm going to stand at the spot and wait for someone to get me the ball.

Very seldom is it an issue. I'm not going to look to make it more than it is, frustration by a passionate athlete that quickly, (hopefully) dissipates.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

Agree...and since you brought that point up...I don't like it when players are frustrated (even just with themselves) and slam the ball or even place the ball on the floor and expect us to go get it.

Some here may think that is being lazy or arrogant of an official with that attitude...but, there is rule backing if you think you need it...

10-3-5b

..."failing when in possession, to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a whistle blows."

I've informed players, and sometimes their teammates, that it's in their interest to get the ball and toss it to me. I do not chase the ball as it's impossible to dead ball officiate while running after a ball.

[representing]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

Agree...and since you brought that point up...I don't like it when players are frustrated (even just with themselves) and slam the ball or even place the ball on the floor and expect us to go get it.

Some here may think that is being lazy or arrogant of an official with that attitude...but, there is rule backing if you think you need it...

10-3-5b

..."failing when in possession, to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a whistle blows."

I've known about this part of the rulebook, and if a player were to put the ball down (in retaliation to a call/no-call) and "expect" me or my partner(s) to get it, I would tell the player at the next opportunity that he needs to give it to an official when the ball is blown and if not done, can be punished by a technical foul. This has always dissipated that "problem", and I've never had to assess a technical foul for this. However, even though I wouldn't want to, once I tell a player this, I would have to assess a technical if the "problem" persists.