truthbknown returns: blog 
truthbknown returns's blog
stop the flopping!
Published Feb. 13, 2008In a recent blog about ACC basketball, I suggested that the refs should call a technical foul when, in their judgment, a player just "flopped" in order to give the appearance that a charge just occured, to try to "trick" the ref into making the call.
It seems this year there have been more than a few flops where it was obvious that the contact was nowhere near enough to slam the player to the floor the way they hit. I know all teams do it, and you can chalk it up to "good coaching" if you really want to deny that it is bad for the sport. Not picking on Duke and Carolina, but they do seem to be the biggest "flopping" teams I've ever seen, and they usually get the calls.
Well, it appears I'm not the only one that thinks a technical should be called. Apparently, the refs can do exactly that, if only they would. Open this article, and pay close attention to the highlighted text that was pasted into the article from elsewhere, quoting a referee:
"In fact the official must completely ignore the acting unless it becomes unsportsmanlike or it tends to make a farce of the game. If the guard or screener persists in putting on the act, and if in the opinion of the official it is making a travesty of the game, the player should be charged with a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct."
I really wish they would do something about this. It's irritating when a player makes some weak contact appear to be a foul and gets the call (even when my team does it).
Enjoy these links:
How To End Flopping In The ACC Pronto
http://www.redandwhitefromstate.com/?p=1489
Greg Paulus flops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPBJ_6y_5A
JJ Reddick flops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqBtrVXyDdM
JJ Redick picks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBpFe483y0M
close56 Comments
hot topics
(1 votes) suspect in fatal hit-and-run surrenders
most recent
Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.
GOLO member since November 25, 2007
February 14, 2008 10:39 p.m.
You're right, Ken. Officials could allow traveling if they wanted to, and coaches would teach kids to travel whenever they could gain an advantage by it. It doesn't make it right, though.
In fast-paced game action, it is difficult enough for the officials to make judgment calls. When the players are out ther ACTING, in an attempt to cause an incorrect call to be made, that's very simply a technical foul and we should do everything in our power to put an end to the practice.
I see this as one of those things like teams holding the ball for 6 minutes at a time before the shot clock. It was within the rules, but it was bad for the game, just like this idiotic flopping. They need to PLAY, not ACT.
GOLO member since January 2, 2008
February 13, 2008 5:16 p.m.
GOLO member since August 7, 2007
February 13, 2008 5:14 p.m.
Not so. A player can also curse at another player or official. They can slam the ball down hard on the court. Technical fouls may or may not involve contact.
I'm just saying, I wish the refs would call a tech on a few of the more obvious flops so that coaches would "encourage" their players to actually play the game, not be actors out on the court. It makes the game laughable, and in my opinion, that should be a technical foul. It is also the opinion of some referees, as quoted in this blog:
How To End Flopping In The ACC Pronto http://www.redandwhitefromstate.com/?p=1489
GOLO member since January 2, 2008
February 13, 2008 5:13 p.m.
February 13, 2008 5:10 p.m.
February 13, 2008 5:01 p.m.
GOLO member since October 17, 2007
February 13, 2008 4:47 p.m.
GOLO member since November 19, 2007
February 13, 2008 4:43 p.m.
GOLO member since December 11, 2007
February 13, 2008 4:35 p.m.
Mr Pot, meet Mr. Kettle.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
February 13, 2008 4:31 p.m.
Please log in to add comment.