When is a tap a tap

[RulesGeek]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Agreed with the literal wording of the rule. the question is, did they really mean just the hand(s), or did they word it that way because that's what happens 99.9999999% of the time and what they were envisioning when they were writing it.

I get that some would be literal. I respect that opinion. I often choose the literal wording myself.

In this instance, I choose not to be. As long as it's not a kick, it's a tap, to me.

Maybe I can see extending it to the forearms.... but on a head ball now you will also need to also determine whether it was an intentional tap (live ball) or just rebounded off a head (dead at the horn). Opens up too many "ifs" and just too slippery a slope for me.

In addition, the powers that be seem to believe that basketball is played with the hands. So for me to call it an intentional tap (or try) and keep the ball alive, I will need the player to use his/her hands.