BASKETBALL BLAST #5
Please ensure you circulate the information in these “Weekly Blasts” throughout the season in an effort to consistently address the issues observed during GHSA games.
The #1 concern continues to be lack of sportsmanship during basketball games. The referee of each game should meet with the Game Administrator upon arrival at the game site to ensure that the host school has a plan in place to control spectators. There have been far too many instances at which game have been terminated prior to completion due to crowd control situations. If a game is terminated prior to completion, a detailed Game Report must be submitted by 9:00 AM the following morning.
When a fight occurs on the court, and the officials cannot defuse the situation without physical contact to the players, it is the responsibility of the head coaches and school game management to separate the combatants. Officials are to observe the bench areas, where assistant coaches should be keeping players in the bench area. When spectators get involved, officials need to get away from the proximity of the melee
When submitting “Game Reports” for ejections, there must be a detailed account of what took place. Merely stating the rule reference is not enough for the GHSA Office to refer to if questioned by a responding member school. Game Reports for unsporting behavior must be submitted to the GHSA office within 72 hours of the incident(s). Ejections must be submitted to the GHSA office within 24 hours of the incident.
Enforcing the “automatics” on the ball handlers from the start of the game will allow for better freedom of movement and better flow to the game. It is simple, “get the hands and arms off the ball handler”. This is still not being called consistently.
To accurately call “traveling” the pivot foot must be identified when it is established. Everyone should review Rule 4-44 if there is any confusion about this violation. NOTE: The “Euro Step” is not legal in high school play.
Too often a defensive player is viewed as the guilty party on a block/charge call. Don’t bail-out an offensive player who is out of control.
For a quick review of traveling, block/charge, and illegal contact on the ball handler click on this link from a previous raining video: https://vimeo.com/user375731/review/361698815/061ee550b7
Region tournaments will be officiated by the host school local association.
Team Instructions for the 1st three rounds of the State Tournament are posted on the GHSA Website.
Be safe out there.
