Rule 9-5 (all articles) reference S7 (dead ball), S27 (unsportsmanlike conduct), S38 (personal foul), and S45 (disqualification). S7, S38, and S45 are not at issue - I get those.
The current rules related to fighting were developed during my 'vacation' from officiating. What I don't get is when to use S27, related to fighting. I'm guessing that abusive language or non-striking intentional contact with an opponent that causes the opponent to react by fighting (striking) would qualify for S27 and S45 (since the first offender didn't strike the opponent, but it caused the retaliatory striking). The striking by the opponent can't be forgiven, so he would get S38 and S45. Have I got that right?
Semi-related, as I recall, for a non-striking shove by the first offender, followed by a non-striking shove by the opponent, they want us, if possible, to only flag the first offender, and, nowadays, ring that up as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. The retaliatory shove by the opponent can be forgiven. Have I got that right?
Robert
