illegal dribble?

[Camron Rust]

Technically, yes. The dribble starts the moment it is released. If it is a dribble, it is a violation at that moment.

However, in practice, until someone again touches it, you can't know if it was a pass (touched by a different player) or a dribble (touched by the same player). Once the same player touches it again, it confirms that it was a dribble but the violation actually occurred when the ball was released.

[just another ref]

Actually what it would be is a travel, for releasing the ball to begin a dribble after lifting the pivot foot.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Technically, yes. The dribble starts the moment it is released. If it is a dribble, it is a violation at that moment.

However, in practice, until someone again touches it, you can't know if it was a pass (touched by a different player) or a dribble (touched by the same player). Once the same player touches it again, it confirms that it was a dribble but the violation actually occurred when the ball was released.

I respectfully disagree. By definition, batting or pushing the ball to the floor could be either a dribble or a pass. The continuing action determines if it's a dribble or pass. If the player does not touch it again (in other words another player is the next to touch), it's a pass.

-Josh

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by jdmara

I respectfully disagree. By definition, batting or pushing the ball to the floor could be either a dribble or a pass. The continuing action determines if it's a dribble or pass. If the player does not touch it again (in other words another player is the next to touch), it's a pass.

-Josh

It's a judgment call. A pass, by definition, is "to another player."

If a player drops the ball straight to the floor, another player is not involved. Therefore, in my judgment, this is not a pass. By default, it becomes a dribble, which, in this case, is a violation.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by just another ref

It's a judgment call. A pass, by definition, is "to another player."

If a player drops the ball straight to the floor, another player is not involved. Therefore, in my judgment, this is not a pass. By default, it becomes a dribble, which, in this case, is a violation.

I understand that stance and I'm not saying that it's wrong. After the offense elevates and releases the ball, they are essentially at a disadvantage because only 4 of their players may touch the ball. I believe we, as officials, neutralize a defensive advantage they have earned by playing good defense. Any thoughts?

-Josh

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by jdmara

I understand that stance and I'm not saying that it's wrong. After the offense elevates and releases the ball, they are essentially at a disadvantage because only 4 of their players may touch the ball. I believe we, as officials, neutralize a defensive advantage they have earned by playing good defense. Any thoughts?

-Josh

Actually, if you're asking me, none of their players may touch the ball because it is now dead.

This official calls the violation which was created by the good defense.

[HawkeyeCubP]

This was a question in the IAABO test this year. I answered violation initially, but was persuaded otherwise by the answer key.

[just another ref]

Answer keys are sometimes wrong.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by jdmara

I respectfully disagree. By definition, batting or pushing the ball to the floor could be either a dribble or a pass. The continuing action determines if it's a dribble or pass. If the player does not touch it again (in other words another player is the next to touch), it's a pass.

-Josh

You may disagree, but you'd be incorrect.

I didn't say that play was or was not a dribble...just that "a" dribble starts the moment it is released and if it was a dribble, it is a violation.

It is one or the other at the moment it is released. There is no other option...it isn't a fumble, it isn't an interrupted dribble, it isn't being held. It may not always be possible to tell what it is at that moment but that doesn't meant it isn't one or the other. The subsequent action only determines was it was all along...all the way back to the moment it was released. It doesn't magically become a pass/dribble when it is next touched, it just makes it clear.