Scrimmages are underway. One piece of feedback coming out of the scrimmages is that we, as a group, need to do a better job of ruling fouls in handchecking situations. Rule 10-7-12 instructs an official that those specific items listed are always a foul regardless of the effect the contact has.
Let’s be reminded that handchecking fouls usually involve the ballhandler. Players who are defending a ballhandler are not allowed to place two hands on the ballhandler at any time. This includes situations where the offensive player has his/her back to the basket.
Another area of weakness is the use of an arm bar on a dribbler. Players are sometimes creative in how they do this. Regardless of how creative they are, fouls need to be ruled whenever an arm bar is used against a ballhandler.
Enforce these restrictions from the opening tip and you will have a much cleaner game where the skill of the players is on display.
Do not be concerned that this will lead to games that never seem to end. Players want to play. If you are consistent in enforcing the handchecking rules, the players will adjust. As a mentor of mine once said, players get four “warnings” in the game. On the fifth one, they have to sit down and cannot play anymore.
Tip
