NFHS Basketball Questionnaire

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't see how 3 feet would be any more difficult to officiate than 6 feet. If the player is inside 3 feet you're counting anyway.

True within three feet, but it's a lot easier to officiate such action if the defender is between three feet and six feet away.

Setting the distance at three feet will encourage defenders to get closer to get a count going which will also set up a situation where contact, or a held ball, or a timeout, is likely.

These situations are unlikely with a count going at six feet, where a defender may just settle for a five second closely guarded violation, and will not have to move in for the coup de grâce.