quote:
Originally posted by divey on 02-04-2000 12:25 AM
If you call the lane violations tight and your partner does not, then how can the players hope to have any consistency?
Do you call alot of 3 second in the key violations? Or do you tell the players to get out? Most officials do the latter.
I also believe most officials, myself included, would not call a free throw lane violation that late in the game, with the game on the line. Unless it was very blatent.
Good comments, divey. Free throw lane violations offer a lot of room for leniency, unless you want to be calling violations all night. Everyone is trying to get that "edge" on the other guy without violating, but sometimes (often?) they stretch the timing of it. Unless it is a CLEAR violation, pass on it, and continue to have a word of reminder to them before the next free throw. Splitting hairs by saying they stepped over the lane line with their foot just before the ball hit the rim is going to make for a LONNNGGG game, and a fair number of exasperated players. Same at the end of the game--NO ONE wants a game determined by a lane violation, so bite that whistle unless given no choice.
The 3-second rule likewise allows lots of discretion, and I too try to tell them to get out of there. Nothing breaks the flow of a game more than younger officials (and some "veteran" guys, too) eager to call that violation. Game management is just as important as strict rule enforcement.
[This message has been edited by Todd VandenAkker (edited February 04, 2000).]