[QUOTE=so cal lurker;1043358]Just curious. What is different between HS/NCAA GT? Is it that NCAA adopted the NBA bar on touching after it hits the glass, or something else?
SoCalLurker: AFAIU, the goal-tending rules vary: For NF, the thrown ball can touch the backboard and as long as the ball is still going upwards, then it's OK to Block that shot. For NCAA, once a shot hits the backboard [even while still going up] it is illegal to Block that shot.
You may ask, why does Kansas Ref make these suggestions? Here are my justifications:
1) For "5 seconds closely guarded count": What is the purpose of pre-professional[i.e., high-school] basketball? It is to learn the rules of the game, improve your overall playing ability, and possibly derive pleasure from a lifelong sport that you can participate in and be an informed spectator of. Ergo, one skill to develop is defensive footwork and body placement; the 5 second closely guarded count rewards the development and implementation of that key skill. Yes, I understand that hypothetically using a 'shot clock' could obfuscate the 5 second count; however, the skills of defensive footwork and body placement that a young player learns thru vigorous application of ''closely guarded'' does afford them skills that are transferable to other areas of basketball, such as perimeter guarding, post defense, and even being properly positioned to take a "charge".
2) Shot blocking in NF vs. NCAA: For NF, the thrown ball can touch the backboard and as long as the ball is still going upwards, then it's OK to Block that shot. For NCAA, once a shot hits the backboard [even while still going up] it is illegal to Block that shot. So why maintain a distinction between the two levels? Again, I ask, what is the purpose of pre-professional basketball? To teach and learn skills of play. Jumping, anticipating the shot, and being reactive on defense are skills that are important to be learned--moreover, the chance to block a shot legally should not be infringed upon.
3) 3 point arc; no change is necessary due to 1) the distance is fine and within the capability for the vast majority of pre-professional players; and 2) the cost to the schools to remove and replace lines is yet another cost that is not necessary.
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