February 2007
This is
just a collection of situations and rules questions that have been raised so far
this season.
·
Contrary to anything you
might have heard, a whistle attached to a smitty or lanyard is essential before
you start a game.
·
A substitute does not have
to remain in the game for any period of time. This is different from a player
substituted for who must remain out of the game until the next opportunity to
sub after the clock starts.
·
A player who is flying out
of bounds holding the ball is entitled to request a T.O. This is
different from the college rule.
·
The latest fad seems to be
for the trail to go table side in a two person game for foul shot administration
to encourage “meaningful dialogue”. This is conflict with approved mechanics.
If a word of explanation is needed on a call, take a few seconds while you are
at the table reporting the foul.
·
Editorial in February
issue of REFEREE lamenting the failure of college officials to keep
coaches in the coaching box and off the floor. I am not the only one preaching
the need to take care of business on the bench.
·
The resuming play
procedure is to be used ONLY after a timeout or intermission. Otherwise, if
either team fails to show up for a foul shot after you call for them it is an
immediate technical foul
·
If there is a last second
foul in any period resulting in shots the foul shots are part of the period just
ended. If there is a technical foul before the shots are completed, it too is
part of the period just ended. The next period starts with the normal AP
throw-in.
·
There are a number of
legal alignments of players along the lane for a foul shot. The rules require 2
defenders in the first spots. Limit the number of players to 2 offense and 4
defenders and require the 4th spot to be empty. Otherwise the rule is
permissive. If the offense does not want their spots the D can have them. If the
O wants the 3rd spot and the D is happy to have the 2nd
spot, that’s OK too. Opposite sides can be different.
·
The girls like to wear
under wrap around their heads. If you can convince yourself that this is for
hair control, let it go regardless of color.
·
Continuous motion applies
even if the player fouled is not the player in the act of shooting. If A-1 is
shooting and A-2 is fouled, count the goal (if it goes in) and penalize the foul
committed against A-2.
·
If one official calls a
player control foul and the other a block (a blarge), we have a double foul.
Charge each foul and go to the point of interruption. This means giving the ball
back to the team that had control when the foul was called. If we try to stick
to calling in our primary calling areas some of these doubles will be
eliminated.
·
The restriction on a
defensive player reaching through the plane of a throw-in boundary ends when the
throw-in is released toward the court. Occasionally a defender might touch a
throw-in which is directed inbounds before it crosses the boundary. If
the ball lands out-of-bounds it is simply a violation.
·
A suggestion which might
help get the team with the throw-in out of a time out huddle is to add to the
“first horn” notification the reminder “it’s blue ball”
·
Do your best to ensure
FAIRNESS. If one coach is in his chair and the other is standing in front of the
scorer’s table, or chirping at every call, that is not fair. If the timer is
blowing the horn for substitutions by the home team before they get to the X,
but not for the visitors, that’s not fair either. If the scoring team touches
the dead ball that’s a warning.
·
Don’t buy into some
supposedly sophisticated philosophy and fail to make the right calls. Some of
these erroneous ideas include “keep the star player in the game”; “she was not
going anywhere when she shuffled her feet”; and the infamous “let them play”; “a
last second foul needs to really be there”. We need to enforce all the rules
all the time.
From time to time, I will
be posting other plays of interest on the web site. I encourage you to call me
or email (Interpreter@NWNJBOARD168.ORG).
with your experiences, strange plays, and questions so that all members can learn from the
experience of others. I assure you that all situations will remain anonymous. I
hope to hear from many of you as the season progresses. Have a great year.
Bill Kenney
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