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05/14 13:46 CDT WNBA foul calls rise slightly as the league cracks down on
physical play
WNBA foul calls rise slightly as the league cracks down on physical play
By DOUG FEINBEG
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- The WNBA is trying to fix its physicality problem and is
going through some growing pains during the opening week of the season.
Fouls are up so far in the first week of the WNBA season with teams averaging
21.6 fouls --- that's up just under two per game from the same point last year
(19.9). That number dropped over the course of the year with 17.5 fouls on
average per game for each team.
"Fouls are up. I don't think if we are going to get rid of rough play that we
saw in previous seasons there is any other outcome other than at the beginning
fouls will be up," said Monty McCutchen, who is the head of WNBA officiating,
on a Zoom call with The Associated Press. "That's a fairly safe assumption."
The increased fouls aren't really leading a major increase in free throws with
21.9 being attempted this season to 21.4 last year at this point. By the end of
the year, 18.2 free throws were attempted by each team on average.
The WNBA formed an officiating task force in the offseason as part of the
"state of the game" group that included players and coaches. The hope was to
clean up some of the league's growing concerns around physicality.
"What came out of our meetings was we didn't really change any rules or change
an interpretation," said Sue Blauch, who is the head of referee performance and
development for the WNBA. "When we drilled down to the nitty gritty, it came
down to we needed to strictly enforce our current guidelines. So that's what
you're seeing more of. A more stricter enforcement of freedom of movement. That
will allow the game to open up and the players to showcase their talents."
McCutchen said the taskforce spent many hours discussing what players, coaches
and the league wanted from officials.
"That amount of hours gives clarity to Sue on the day-to-day portion for
teaching our staff," he said. "There will be some over calibration when we try
to impart freedom of movement. I think we've experienced a little bit of that."
McCutchen said the officiating group will continue to meet frequently to make
sure that "our alignment can become finer and finer as we move into our best
parts of our season."
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve is on the task force and knows it will take a
little bit of time to get everyone on the same page.
"Obviously, we'll continue to work with the league on getting right because
we're not the only team sitting here wondering why everything is a foul," she
said.
Increased fouls also lead to longer games. The New York Liberty's overtime win
over Washington went for 2 hours, 41 minutes.
"It disrupts everyone's flow," Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. "This game
was 2 hours and 41 minutes long. That's insane. ... I know it's going to take
time of, like, figuring out what's the standard of what's going to be called,
but there's calls that are being called that are unnecessary on both sides, and
then there's no flow."
Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale also noticed a difference so far.
"I guess we just have to adapt, because that's going to happen," she said.
"It's been a long time since I had three fouls in the first half and almost
fouling out. I guess show our hands and see what we can do."
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark got a technical foul during the team's win
over Los Angeles on Wednesday night. After the game, she praised the officials
for their efforts.
"I think the refs are doing a tremendous job. I deserved the technical they
gave me. But it's great for the game," she said. 'They're going to keep the
hands off; they're going to make the play be good. Obviously they called a lot
of fouls tonight but it's going to even out. So, you've got to give them
credit. They're doing the right thing."
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
