Why might a referee choose to call a foul Not in Act of Shooting?

A referee may decide to call a foul as "Not in Act of Shooting" primarily when the foul does not impact a shot. This decision is guided by the principle that fouls committed during play need to directly influence whether the offensive player had a legitimate opportunity to score. If the foul occurs while the player is not in a position to shoot, or if it does not affect their ability to take a shot, calling it as a foul not in the act of shooting allows the game to continue under the appropriate context.

This understanding is critical because it helps to keep the game's pace and fluidity, ensuring that the flow isn't disrupted unnecessarily. While maintaining game flow and penalizing excessive physicality are also significant considerations for a referee, the specific context of whether the shot was impacted takes precedence in determining the nature of the foul. Additionally, player arguments may warrant attention but are typically not the basis for categorizing a foul in terms of shooting actions. The focus is on the play's dynamics and the direct impact of the foul on scoring opportunities.