The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
A-1 misses a three-point try as the horn sounds to end the 3rd quarter. After the horn has sounded and the try is over, B-2 grabs A-2 by the hair and throws her to the floor. A-2 gets up and punches B-2. A-3 rushes over to defend her teammate and takes a swing at B-2. All five bench personnel in uniform on the bench for Team A run onto the court but do not participate. All three bench personnel from Team B’s bench do the same.
Handle the situation.
Players B-2, A-2 and A-3 receive flagrant technical fouls for fighting. Since this occurred during the intermission between quarters, B-2, A-2 and A-3 are considered bench personnel. Therefore, the head coach of Team A receives two indirect technical fouls (bench personnel who fought) and Team B’s coach receives one indirect technical foul. The five who left the bench for Team A and the three who left the bench for Team B receive flagrant technical fouls. Each head coach receives one additional indirect technical foul for those who left the bench and did not participate. Since Team A’s coach has now received three indirect technical fouls, Team A’s head coach is ejected and must leave the visual confines of the gym.
Since the number of players who fought is unequal, Team B will receive two free throws for each additional technical foul assessed against Team A for fighting. In this case there is one additional player who participated so the number of free throws for this will be two.
In addition, since more bench personnel came onto the court for Team A, one additional technical foul penalty is assessed against Team A.
The free throws will be administered to start the 4th quarter since the fight occurred during the intermission between the 3rd and 4th quarters. Team B will be awarded the ball for a division line throw-in opposite the table after the free throws. The AP arrow is not changed after this throw-in.
Team A will have three players left who can participate. Team B will have four players. Seven team fouls are added to Team A’s team foul count. Four fouls are added to Team B’s team foul count.
(References: Rule 10-7 Penalty 8, 4-18, 10-5 Penalty Note)
Have you seen an unusual play? Let all officials benefit from it by sending it to Play of the Day
WOW! A Loaded Question. Correct interpretation. You have to be aware to correctly rule this.