Quote:
Originally posted by rainmaker
Had the weirdest game tonight (JVG 3A). Two fouls TOTAL in the first half. Home team didn't foul AT ALL until into the fourth quarter. We did the whole game, including the half time in an hour and five minutes. Fourth quarter was more "normal" but even so, second half fouls were only 4 fouls on visitors, and two on home.
Visitors had an interesting play. 6 seconds left with V ahead by one point. Visitor set up defense heavily below the 3-point line. Home inbounds at half-court to center court, then a pass sort of across and down, one quick dribble, one v player steps out onto the ball and fouls. It didn't look intentional, and the coach wasn't yelling "foul", but it sure did the job! Home fans wanted intentional, but there was no basis. But home only had two seconds left, and had to inbound with the ball almost back at half-court, and of course, didn't score. I chewed on it all the way home. It didn't take away an obvious advantage, it was no way excessive contact, it was on-ball, just not intentional at all. But strategically brilliant.
|
Juulie,
You will see more and more of this type play as you begin to work better games that have better coaches. They know how many fouls their team "has to give" before reaching the bonus, and will instruct their players to run some time off of the clock and then commit these fouls.
During time outs late in the game, I will get with my crew to let them know (if it is posted on the scoreboard) if the defense has fouls to give, especially if they are ahead and may use this strategy. This is not changing the way we are looking at the game, but is a way to possibly keep a problem from happening. If a team wants to foul, don't make it have to be a hard foul, because if you pass on the soft foul, then the next one will be harder to make you blow the whistle.
I have even been known to ask a coach if they want the quick foul called when they are on defense. I realize that this borders on being on the DARK SIDE, but if it works for you and makes your game smoother, consider it.