
Yesterday, I was asked by my brother Sebastian about the proper administration for offensive fouls. The specific question was whether or not the defensive player is awarded free throws when it's not a "player control foul" (meaning that the offensive foul was committed by the player "holding or dribbling a live ball inbounds".) For several years the answer to that question was "yes", which is what I told him. However, a few years ago I remember that NFHS (high school rules) introduced the "team control foul" call; however, since it had been a few years since I've officiated a high school game, I was sketchy on the details. Here they are:
http://www.ref60.com/2008/12/team-control-foul-mechanics.html
Essentially, the "player control foul" has now been replaced with the "team control foul" - meaning that all fouls on the offensive team (regardless of whether the player has the ball or not) are called the same way (with a fist thrust) and are awarded the same ... the other team gets the ball with no shots. This makes it so much easier for basketball officials, because now they don't have to worry about whether or not there was "player control" and then if the team is in the bonus or not ... now you just go the other way.
NCAA, FIBA and NBA/WNBA has been using the "team control foul" mechanic for a while; so it appears that this is another step toward high school basketball being officiated more like the college/pro game. This is always appreciated by those that jump back and forth from officiating college and high school games; and if you ask one of them, they would always say that the college mechanics were much simplier. Less is more! The less complicated the mechanics, the better that officials can call a great game.
So I hope that answers Sebastian's question 100%, and along the way can help someone else. Don't know the next time I'll be officiating a basketball game on any level; but when I do, I'll be ready with this call.