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From: mth@drufl.UUCP (Hamilton)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hoops
Subject: Re: General Flames on Officials
Message-ID: <845@drufl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Feb-84 11:56:20 EST
Article-I.D.: drufl.845
Posted: Wed Feb 22 11:56:20 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Feb-84 00:16:06 EST
References: <220@hou2b.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Denver
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There probably isn't anyone who likes the officiating in any sport.
I, too, think basketball officiating borders on atrocious. The big
joke I see this year is the rule of verticality. It seens that
no one bothered to tell the refs.

I think charging/blocking is the most difficult call an official
has to make. Several factors have to be taken into consideration,
all in a split second, in order to come up with the correct call.

	(1) Was the defender set?
	(2) Did he allow the ball-handler 1 1/2 steps?
	(3) If off a pass, did the defender allow the pass
	    receiver enough room to come down or turn around?
	    (that seems to be in the opinion of the ref)
	(4) Did the defender, if set, move into the ball-handler
	    with his knee, hip, or shoulder?
	(5) Did the ball-handler break the plane of verticality?

There is probably more. Not to side with the officials, but there
have been a few times I thougth the call was wrong until I saw
the replay, when it turned out I was wrong. Also, it doesn't
surprise me anymore when a ref makes a bad call. They have so many
things to look for. If you have ever reffed a basketball game,
you'll know. It is the toughest sport I've reffed (never
professionally). Fortunately, the refs have to screw up 3 or 4
times on each player before the player fouls out. Although being
in foul trouble can be almost as bad for key players. Maybe the
NCAA should consider going to 6 fouls. But doing it for this
reason would be a big blow to the credibility of officiating (I
don't know why the pros did it, probably to keep players in
longer and keep "the game" interesting).

Finally, no flame intended, but I don't see how someone can complain
about officiating if they don't understand some of the calls. Maybe
they meant they understand the call, but not why it was made. I
notice alot of times the announcers (the major announcers!) don't
even know what is being called. Which no doubt confuses alot of
viewers. I always pay all attention on the game and not some stupid
Al McGuire analogy. Then you know what is being called and whether
or not you agree with it.

Sorry if I misinterpreted any statements.

					Mark Hamilton
					Denver