Expert: Bret Temple - 2/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: Team A received a foul and while the ref was reporting the call, a player from Team A said something to warrant a technical.  However, the ref did not know which player actually said the words.  He then proceeded to take a guess on the player in question and actually ended up giving the "T" to the wrong player.  My question is was this the correct procedure to guess who the "T" was on, or is there another way to proceed?  Please advise!  Thanks a bunch!

ANSWER: Neil,

The referee was absolutely wrong in what he did. You do not guess on who to give a Technical too. In fact Technical fouls should only be given if something is said and directed at the official in an un-sportsman like way. If the ref didn't see who said it, then he's got to let it go. Unless it came from the bench, in which a Bench Technical can be given. That actually affects the coach no matter who says it. How do you know the Ref was guessing on who he gave it to? Also i'm curious what age and level this game was.

Thanks for the questions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Age level was B squad in Minnesota.  (10th grade)  The ref said he heard an athlete say "that was a terrible call" coming from the floor.  I simply asked him who said it and his response to me was "I'm not sure" and gave it to the athlete nearest him.  I only asked what was said and who said it so I could take that player out of the game and he could not answer me on who actually said the words.  After the B game I asked about the procedure and ruling as I actually thought a bench technical should have been given if he did not know the actual person.  His explanation did not satisfy me at all as he stated " It is the same as me granting a coach a timeout without actually seeing him call it."  That made no sense to me.  I am not mad at the call or the official, but just want a ruling as I do some reffing as well as coaching.  Thanks for your help!

Neil Doose

Answer
Well, I hate to take a Coaches side over a fellow official, but that is in deed a terrible explanation and it is not the same as granting a time out. Technical Fouls are given to a specific player or coach for a very particular reason. And the official does not need to see the player that makes the unsportsmanlike comment, but does need to know who said it. If not, then he should have issued a Bench T instead of picking a random player. Thanks for the follow up.