Calling a foul when we hedge a screen...

by Bald Eagle on Jan 16, 2009 10:35 AM PST

While atching last nights game at Pauley, a question came to mind. The question arose as a result of our usual inconsistent Pac-10 officiating and the answer just may be that. . . Pac -10 refs are just sub par and inconsistent.

But over the course of the game as our bigs were hedging on screens, there were fouls called a few times (AA2 and JK) where our guys seemed to be in perfect position, but got called for a foul and other times where they made what seemed to be identical plays, no whistles were blown.

Are these types of calls subjective? Is there a rule/standard?

Seeing as this is a critical element to our defensive strategy, I for one would like to know when the call was "right" and when the refs blow it, so I can scream and rant appropriately.

Any help from BN would be appreciated?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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It was inconsistant...

15 minutes in I praised the pac 10 officials for letting the players decide the game, and then the went ticky tack whistle happy…

The rules are pac 10 officials cannot call a consistant 40 minute game.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jan 16, 2009 10:59 AM PST reply actions

yep

refs just don’t seem to like contact on the perimeter, and when the contact is minimal, it’s always a defensive foul. Don’t ask me why…it makes no sense. Thats just the way refs (all refs, not just SPTRs) operate these days. It’s too bad

by bucknellbruin on Jan 16, 2009 1:21 PM PST reply actions

see rye's post below

by truk on Jan 16, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

One possible explanation

Not to excuse bad officiating, but there’s the old unspoken “advantage gained” principle. That means a referee can opt not to make a call, because the rule violation did not result in advantage gained by the offender. You see it all the time. Guy gets fouled shooting, but no foul called because the shot goes in. Same foul on the next shooter gets called, because the shot is missed (assumption there is that the foul affected the shot = advantage gained). Of course, “hard” (subjective) fouls usually get called, no matter what. It seems unfair and definitely subjective, but seems necessary given how physical (the technically non-contact sport) basketball has become.

by Telemachus on Jan 16, 2009 1:35 PM PST reply actions

Good explanation

But how do you coach a player to hedge? Is he trying to get set and make the player run into him? Or just make it hard for the dribbler to go around so the screened player can recover? I guess I’m looking for the definition of a good hedge that shouldn’t prompt a foul call.

by Bald Eagle on Jan 16, 2009 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

By rule

the defender has to be set on the hedge. If the refs were to be calling it by the book, the man hedging must get out and set his feet, forcing the ball handler to go around him. If he is set, any contact must be initiated by the offensive player and result in an offensive foul or no call. Usually, the ref will call the foul on the hedge because A) the defender wasn’t set or B) he was set, but not in an upright position (usually meaning he stuck his hip out). That’s what the refs are calling, but they are very inconsistent with it.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 16, 2009 3:39 PM PST reply actions