Incidental Contact

[potato]

does it mean as long as the contact doesn't give the defender big advantage? i.e making him loose the ball or miss his shots?

Originally Posted by just another ref

Do you know the meaning of the word incidental?

[BillyMac]

It is legal use of hands to accidentally hit the hand of the opponent when it is in contact with the ball. This includes holding, dribbling, passing, or even during a shot attempt. Striking a ball handler or a shooter on that player's hand that is incidental to an attempt to play the ball is not a foul.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by potato

does it mean as long as the contact doesn't give the defender big advantage? i.e making him loose the ball or miss his shots?

Not at all. Try the dictionary.

[potato]

Incidental:

1.Being minor or subordinate; happening as a chance consequence

2.Not of prime or central importance

3.Following or accompanying as a consequence

Well it's hard to interpret a word when even the dictionary is telling you it has few meanings. But combining all 3 definitions i would say:

As long as the contact by the defender doesn't gain much advantage out of the contact it is legal.

Originally Posted by just another ref

Not at all. Try the dictionary.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by potato

Incidental:

1.Being minor or subordinate; happening as a chance consequence

2.Not of prime or central importance

The contact with the hand is legal if it just kinda happens in an attempt to play the ball.

.....I can go all out slapping people's balling hand hard to get steals & blocks.

When you "go all out to slap the hand hard" it is no longer incidental.

[APG]

Originally Posted by potato

i'm not making a point, just wanna make sure the scenario i made is legal so i can go all out slapping people's balling hand hard to get steals & blocks.

i play pick up games and i usually go for clean steals & blocks where i don't hit player's hand. but being able to hit them makes everything much easier. especially blocking jump shots from behind them.

There's a reason you don't see this tactic used more often...because it's near impossible to try and slap the hand on purpose.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by APG

There's a reason you don't see this tactic used more often...because it's near impossible to try and slap the hand on purpose.

And you're likely going to get some part of the wrist.

[APG]

Originally Posted by just another ref

When you "go all out to slap the hand hard" it is no longer incidental.

For all intents and purposes, short of a player punching another player's hand, I don't ever see an official not thinking a hit on the hand is incidental.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by APG

For all intents and purposes, short of a player punching another player's hand, I don't ever see an official not thinking a hit on the hand is incidental.

... as long as the official believes that the contact did not involve the ball handler's wrist, or forearm.

[letemplay]

Originally Posted by potato

i'm not making a point, just wanna make sure the scenario i made is legal so i can go all out slapping people's balling hand hard to get steals & blocks.

i play pick up games and i usually go for clean steals & blocks where i don't hit player's hand. but being able to hit them makes everything much easier. especially blocking jump shots from behind them.

Hah, try enforcing "rules" in pick up ball and you'll probably get run outta the gym

[Adam]

Originally Posted by letemplay

Hah, try enforcing "rules" in pick up ball and you'll probably get run outta the gym

Yep, or worse.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by APG

For all intents and purposes, short of a player punching another player's hand, I don't ever see an official not thinking a hit on the hand is incidental.

Well, I don't either. But, this is a judgment call. He's telling us that he intends to smack the hand hard. So, if we judge properly, this is now a foul.