I was having this discussion with a friend yesterday... Is there a difference in the three, or are they all by definition pretty much the same? What are the differences if there are differences?

Intentional foul cannot be considered the same as dirty or cheap.

Is "flagrant" more along the lines then?

An Intentional Foul is only cheap or dirty when you intend it to be.

Is "flagrant" more along the lines then?

 

Yes.

 

An intentional can be something like grabbing the jersey of a dribbler who is on a breakaway. It can even be called on a foul where there was no intent other than to make a play on the ball but the shooter was fouled and he came down hard. Judgment call.

Saw something called last week, that I've never seen. A player grabs a defensive rebound, swings some elbows on the "clear out"...but makes absolutely NO CONTACT with any of the other teams players. We've all seen this...most of the time it looks a little overdramatic on the rebounder's part.

 

But in this instance, there was a whistle blown and the ball was given back to the other team. No foul was indicated, nor were any free throws shot, and the possession arrow did not change. It was a simple change of possession.

 

Is this considered an "infraction"?

I would say an intentional is grabbing the jersey as stated, wrapping a player up when going up for a dunk/layup and things of the sort. Flagrant fouls are just pushing them down when going for a layup, elbow, push, slap, and anything just short of figting.

 

I do have this question though. I also think it is very hypocritical and pretty much stupid.

 

You will always get called for the intentional when grabbing jersey, and things i described when teams have the ball. At the end of close games, the team that is down is always grabbing the jersey, wrapping up, slapping, and clearly not making a play for the ball. When or why did this become an exception? This is clearly without question an intentional foul. It should result in the shots plus retaining of possession.

Saw something called last week, that I've never seen. A player grabs a defensive rebound, swings some elbows on the "clear out"...but makes absolutely NO CONTACT with any of the other teams players. We've all seen this...most of the time it looks a little overdramatic on the rebounder's part.

 

But in this instance, there was a whistle blown and the ball was given back to the other team. No foul was indicated, nor were any free throws shot, and the possession arrow did not change. It was a simple change of possession.

 

Is this considered an "infraction"?

This is a violation, the same as traveling, resulting in the other taking posession. This is called if the player has his/her elbows "outside"the normal framework of te body i.e. hips and shoulders.

I have seen this called differently also, a big post player can grab a rebound, chin the ball, then pivot. Small guard flops and they call the foul. I can remember our high school coach telling the team, pivot around with the elbows out and the guy will get out of the way.

I would say an intentional is grabbing the jersey as stated, wrapping a player up when going up for a dunk/layup and things of the sort. Flagrant fouls are just pushing them down when going for a layup, elbow, push, slap, and anything just short of figting.

 

I do have this question though. I also think it is very hypocritical and pretty much stupid.

 

You will always get called for the intentional when grabbing jersey, and things i described when teams have the ball. At the end of close games, the team that is down is always grabbing the jersey, wrapping up, slapping, and clearly not making a play for the ball. When or why did this become an exception? This is clearly without question an intentional foul. It should result in the shots plus retaining of possession.

 

Several years ago, they tried to make it an intentional foul if the coach yelled "FOUL" to get the team to foul at the end of a game. It has been amended to instruct that is is accepted that a team will foul at the end of a game to stop the clock / get the ball back. If you watch closely, you will see most officials instructing players to "be smart" with their fouls in this situation, as it is very easy to let one get away from you and get the intentional.:idunno:

That's basically what I figured. Technically if a ref wanted to call it strictly by the book they could call the intentional but it seems to just be an unwritten rule that is mutually understood between coaches and officials.

An Intentional Foul is only cheap or dirty when you intend it to be.

 

 

Well if it's intentional, I guess it was intended then right? :laugh:

That's basically what I figured. Technically if a ref wanted to call it strictly by the book they could call the intentional but it seems to just be an unwritten rule that is mutually understood between coaches and officials.

 

Actually it is a written within the rule book that it is an accepted part of the game.:thumb: