Player Control Foul/Charging Signal
 

I'm not an official but just wondered if there was a technical difference between the hand behind head (player control foul) signal and the punching motion signal? It appears more officials do the "punch" more often than not. Also, in reviewing the "official hand signals" in the NCAA rule book, the "two hand push" signal could be used for charging also. Could you please explain these differences or are they just preferences.

Thanks

Any player can "charge", only a player with the ball can commit a "PC foul". A "PC foul" could be a block, a charge, a hold, ....

In NCAAM, the hand behind the head is supposed to be used for a PC foul. As you've noted, it's not universally followed.

The same....but no one uses the "push" signal for what most people refer to as a charge.

The punch signal is becoming the preferred signal. It isn't an official signal but we've been given the OK to use it here.

Punch = team control foul.
Behind the head = player control foul.
Behind the head + Punch is correct signal when offensive player has the ball.
Punch when offensive player doesn't have the ball, illegal screen etc...

I use the push signal a few times a season when an offensive player passes and crashes and I verbalize "charging" when reporting to the table.

I've done the same. It's not a PC. I think a push is the right call.

This may be a when in Rome thing.

At our association's final meeting of the year, i asked one of the trainers about the PC vs. TC signal. He indicated that either could be used, but that using the punch for all offensive fouls was acceptable.

YMMV

I Know It When I See It (Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart) ...
 

The player control foul signal is probably the single most inconsistency demonstrated by members in my local association. We have 325 members, and probably have 325 different player control foul signals. Still, no matter what signal is given, the coaches know what the call is, and they go crazy. It's automatic, kind of like Pavlov's dog.