Technical Foul Confusion
One of my pet peeves in basketball is the inability of the various governing bodies to get together on the rules. The rules committees are dominated by coaches, not referees, so the solution has to come from them. The best example of this is how technical fouls are handled. Here's a typical play situation.
Offensive player A-1 is fouled by defensive player B-1. The referee makes the call and, as he is about to report the foul to the scorer's table, B-1 exhibits his displeasure over the foul call. He is assessed a technical foul for his unsportsmanlike conduct by the referee. The question is ..... how is this situation handled from this point forward?
In NCAA (College) men's hoops, the technical is handled from the "point of interruption." In other words, since the technical was called after the original foul, the free throws for the technical are shot FIRST (with no other players on the lane except the shooter). Then, picking up from the point of interruption, the free throw(s) for the original foul will be shot as usual, with other players along the lane. Play will continue as normal and the ball will be in play almost as though the technical foul had never been called.
In NFHS (High School) boys rules, however, the situation is handled "in the order in which they occurred." So, taking the same play, the free throw(s) for the original foul will be shot first with no other players on the lane except the shooter. Then, the two free throws for the technical will be shot, again with no other players on the lane except the shooter. And lastly, the ball will be returned to Team A, out of bounds at mid-court opposite the scorer's table.
This is a typical play, although there are some exceptions that we may cover in a future column. The important things to remember are "point of interruption" (college) versus "order in which they occurred." (high school) So, when you are watching a high school game on a Friday night and a college game on a Saturday, be aware that there are some significant differences in how the rules work.
In my opinion, the college rule makes more sense. I believe the penalty for technical fouls in high school (two shots and loss of the ball) is a bit too severe. What do you think?
Do you have a question? Have you seen a play you didn't understand? Was there a controversy you'd like clarified? Send your questions in and I'll do my best to get you an answer.
Skip Yutzler
IAABO Board 127
36 Years High School and Junior College Official
5 Times NY State HS Championships - Glens Falls
