Quote:
Originally Posted by Freddy
Still an open question for me.
9-3c does say, "No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower." However, at camp a couple of years ago I did call disconcertion on the players on the bench for, after a warning on the first FT, continued to yell at the FT'er during his second FT. Was roundly criticized by clinician whose opinion meshed with the consensus on this forum: that disconcertion applies regarding players on the floor; unsporting T (perhaps after a warning) would be the only fitting penalty that could be called against those on the bench.
Given the wording of the rule, I do not agree with my clinician and with the consensus on this forum, so I guess I'm leaving it, for now, as an open question awaiting definitive resolution.
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Freddy:
I am going to piggy back onto you post because brings of some of the points I am going to discuss.
First: Short Form!! That will happen when the Sun rises in the West.
Second:
This is the first time that this subject has been discussed in the Basketball Forum in at least five years if I am not mistaken.
Third: Do not even consider cheerleaders and fans when applying this rule.
Fourth: I am going to be up front with my positions:
1) Opponent in the context of the Disconcertion Rule (NFHS and NCAA Men's/Women's) that the
rule applies to the
five defensive players on the court; it
does NOT apply to
Bench Personnel.
2) The word Opponent has never been defined in the Rules. That means it allows us to have this discussion.
3) Disconcertion Action is a Violation and NFHS Rule 4, Section 46, Articles 1, 2, and 3 define the three Types of Violations and references Rule 9 for further definitions of Violations. NCAA Rule 4, Section 77 references Rule 9 for definitions of Violations; Rule 9 does not break down violations into Types 1, 2, and 3 (see NFHS) but does define Floor Violations (See NFHS Type 1).
I agree with the clinicians at the camp you attended. I believe that unsportsmanlike conduct from the bench has to be punished and that yelling at the FT Shooter falls within in the definition of unsportsmanlike conduct. That said, I am not consistent in my application of the rule.
No matter what the level of competition, if the violation is committed by someone other than the substitutes, the penalty will be a TF.
When it comes to the violation being committed by a substitute the level of competition definitely determines what I decide the infraction I call: Violation or TF.
At this point I should state that I always try to use preventative officiating whenever possible so as to avoid TF situations.
Regarding infractions by subs: H.S. level and above, almost always will charge the offender with a TF. Jr. H.S. level and below: unless very egregious I will go with the violation at least the first time. The lower level competition is a good time for we officials to educate whenever possible.
End my $100 two cents opinion.
MTD, Sr.