"No Autopsy, No Foul"? (Part 1)

(Image Source: Takingbadschotz.com)

When talking about pickup basketball games during his childhood, former basketball player Stewart Granger once said "No autopsy, no foul".  You may have heard of a similar "no blood, no foul" rule when it comes to pickup ball at the gym or park.  While this saying may be true for pickup games, the same rule cannot be applied to organized basketball games where referees are present and expected to keep the game under control.










When 10 players are placed in a confining space with the same objective (get the ball and score), physical contact is unavoidable.  It is the referee's responsibility to determine if the contact is marginal or if the contact is aggressive and illegal.  How do we call fouls consistently and what's a good rule of thumb in enforcing the rules as it pertains to physical contact?

This is Part 1 of a 2-part post regarding calling fouls and will address non-shooting fouls.  Part 2 of the post will address fouls committed against the shooter.

Let's start with defining a foul:  A common foul is an infraction of the rules as it pertains to illegal physical contact against an opponent (remember that basketball is a contact sport).  We can simplify this further: a foul occurs when one player gains an illegal advantage over an opposing player as a result of physical contact. 

How do we know if the defender has gained an illegal advantage?  It would seem that this interpretation could be very subjective between officials.  Contact may be seen as marginal by one official and deemed disadvantageous by another official.

There is a principle that effective referees will use when determining if contact against the dribbler/ball-handler is marginal (and allowable) or if the contact is illegal and should be called a foul: The RSBQ Principle.

The RSBQ Principle

RSBQ stands for:

• Rhythm
• Rhythm is defined as "movement or procedure with uniform pattern or occurrence".
• The ball handler may establish a dribbling rhythm or rhythm of movement:
• Dribbling rhythm: How a player will normally dribble.  If contact (i.e. a hit or push) causes the player to change this rhythm, then a foul has occurred.
• Rhythm of movement: Where a player is moving on the court.  If the ball-handler wants to go from A to B (rhythm is established) but contact forces the ball-handler to go to C, then a foul has occurred.
• Balance
• Balance is defined as the "equal distribution or weight" or "stability".
• If contact causes a player to lose balance and either stop the dribble or fall to the ground, then a foul has occurred.
• Speed
• Is defined as how fast a player moves.
• If the player's speed (i.e. on a fast break) is affected as a result of contact initiated by the defense (i.e. a block, hold, push, etc), then a foul has occurred.
• Quickness
• That quick first step in a cross-over or move to get by the opponent.
• If the player's quickness is affected as a result of contact initiated by the defense (i.e. a hand check, hold, etc), then a foul has occurred.

If any of these four items are impacted by an opposing player, then it should be ruled a foul immediately and consistently unless the offensive player has an immediate opportunity to score. 

Examples and Case Plays

Offensive Player: A1
Defensive Player B1

• Rhythm
  
  • As A1 is dribbling, B1 runs into A1 causing A1 to stumble, stopping A1's dribble.
  • The rhythm of A1 has been affected and B1 has gained an illegal advantage.
  • Foul: Push   
  • As A1 is dribbling and attempting to break left, B1 keeps his hand on A1 prevents A1 from dribbling left.
  • The rhythm of A1's dribble and direction has been affected and B1 has gained an illegal advantage.
  • Foul: Hand Check/Illegal Use of the Hands
• Balance
  
  • As A1 is holding the ball, B1 bumps into A1 causing A1 to fall down/travel
  • A1's balance has been affected and B1 has gained an illegal advantage.
  • Foul: Push
  • As A1 makes his way to the basket, B1 bumps into A1 knocking A1 off from his intended path.
  • A1's balance has been affected.  If this results in A1 being losing his scoring opportunity, then B1 has gained an illegal advantage.
  • Foul: Push/Block
• Speed
  
  • As A1 is dribbling up the court, B1 places and keeps an armbar on A1 forcing A1 to slow down.
  • A1's speed has been affected.
  • Foul: Hand Check/Push
  • As A1 is dribbling up the court full speed, B1 reaches across A1's body in an attempt to steal the ball.  B1 makes contact with A1 and forces A1 to stop.
  • A1's speed has been affected and an advantage has been gained by the defense.
  • Foul: Hold
• Quickness 
• A1 attempts a crossover to get past B1.  B1 reaches out and (1) grabs A1's jersey or (2) places an extended armbar on A1 preventing A1 from changing direction.
• In both cases, B1 has gained an illegal advantage over A1.
• Foul: Hand check/Hold

Closing thoughts

As referees, we are responsible for keeping the game under control through our consistency in calling fouls and violations.  Being consistent in calling fouls will help curb rough play and go a long way in preventing player injuries.  Players for the most part, do not go out looking to hurt another player, but they will defend themselves and/or retaliate if they feel that the referees are not doing enough to protect the players.  Additionally, players will play as rough as the referees will allow them to.  Referees who "let the players play" and refuse to call fouls will have a rougher game on their hands.  With games at the recreation level, this may result in injuries and will result in parents/coaches/players complaining about the officiating after the game.

One additional thing to note is that a foul/illegal contact does not have to be intentional.  Incidental contact may be enough to violate the RBSQ Principle and should be called a foul even if the player "did not mean it".

Calling fouls consistently will go a long way in our development as officials and being recognized as a quality official.