Quote:
Originally posted by icallfouls
It is certainly good advice that has been offered here.
Now, let me put it to you all a bit differently.
We are now into conference play. Some teams have been bending this rule all season long and as a result get an extra 5-10 seconds on most of the timeouts during the season. The officials have been leanient in getting the procrastinating coach/team ready for play. By the way, unless there is a first time coach, who never played, and has never been to a game, knows what the rule is and by taking extra time is gaining an advantage by getting that extra bit of coaching time.
We now have the team that procrastinates playing a team that knows what their responsibility is. The coach/team is ready for play to begin but are kept waiting by this offending team. The coach starts grumbling, rightfully so, that they are ready to play, why are we still waiting?
If some official places the ball on the floor for this team just one time, they will be less likely to delay in the future. I guarantee you that the players will start moving. The officials that follow you will have one less problem to worry about and will thank you.
With all that said, I don't suggest putting the ball down in the closing minutes of a close game if it hasn't already been done.
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Why not? If the first time a team delays is with 30 seconds left in a tie game, those who advocate putting the ball down should do it here, too.
Sorry if I sound self-centered, but I am unconcerned with future officials and crews. I expect those officials to have some common sense, too, I guess. If one team is ready for play and the other one isn't, there are other alternatives to putting the ball on the floor and counting -- communication being the number one alternative.
A great majority of varsity coaches know the rules and know their jobs. They will respect an official that will come over and talk and request that the team come out a little quicker. If the other coach complains, I would simply explain that he would receive the same courtesy and that would be the end of it in most cases.
Putting the ball down on the floor on the second horn without making an effort shows (to me, and I recognize that some disagree) that you know the rules very well, but aren't interested in preventing situations. And are more interested in showing people who are in charge than in working the game for the teams. And just about every time I've seen an official put the ball on the floor, the rapport between the officials and the coach of the team late in coming out goes south in a hurry.
Here's a serious question for those of you willing to put it on the floor: If the team delaying in coming out was the DEFENSIVE team, would you be as quick to hand it to A for an easy, uncontested basket? Why or why not?