Rules interpretation request
 

One of my associates called a little while ago, asking for a rule interpretation. I will entertain answers, then later I will say what I told him.
During halftime of a girls game, the boys who were to play in the next game were out shooting around and apparently there were several dunks. The opposing coach saw it and wanted the T called. My guy wanted to know if it was correct to call it or not.

This actually wasn't my biggest question. I didn't realize until after I hung up that this was taking place NOW. I don't know if the guy who called was the one who was actually being asked to call the T himself, or the coach just came to him and was going to demand it from the officials calling the game. My question is this. If a guy calls you at home at halftime of his own game asking this question, would you answer it? Would you refer him to the book? Say we'll talk later? Or what? If I'm sitting at the game and the ball goes out of bounds and he looks at me with raised eyebrows, I've got nothing. I know this is not the same as that, but sometimes lines are blurred on such questions.

I'm not giving a T for that.

No he would not be correct in giving a T.

10-4

ART. 1

The head coach is responsible for his/her own conduct and behavior, as well as substitutes, disqualified team members and all other bench personnel. Bench personnel, including the head coach, shall not:

i. Grasping either basket except to prevent injury; dunking or stuffing, or attempting to dunk or stuff a dead ball.

The boys dunking do not fall fall under any of those categories.

As to your second question...I would answer if called in that situation.

How can you call a T on players from the next game?

First question: Nothing. Dunking in pre-game/intermission of YOUR game is illegal.

Second question: I'd just answer the question. Why not?

How can you give a T for something that you don't see but are told about. You cannot give a technical foul for dunking when jurisdiction for that game has not begun and if you are in the locker room during half time you don't care what is going on on the court for the next game.

I guess the larger theme here is whether it is ever appropriate to assist other refs with rules knowledge or judgement during a game you are not participating in.

I would happen to agree. You cannot make a ruling that will affect officials on another game.

Rules knowledge - yes (but rarely); and, no, I don't have any real definition of when); judgment - no.

If I were to receive this call, I would answer the question. Better than having someone make this call out of confusion.

Why did game management allow them to be on the court at halftime, if they are not participating until the next game?

Same. I see it as no different than them looking something up in the book, internet, etc. when they are in the locker room.

That's the nicest thing anybody ever said to me here.:D

Happens all the time. At half time, the players for the next game take the court for a shoot around.

Same here on both counts. His jurisdiction for the boys' game begins 15 minutes before the boys' game and it's not as though the guy called you while he was standing on the court...I hope :eek: