NBA Free Throw Mechanics Question

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Raymond

From what I understand it was implemented as a time-saving mechanic.

How does it save time?

And obviously NBA officials didn't unilaterally just start doing it on their own.

Agreed.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

How does it save time?

...

It's something I read or heard directly from an NBA official.



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[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Raymond

It's something I read or heard directly from an NBA official.



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I am not questioning you. I am just curious as to how ti saves time. If it does, I'd be in favor of implementing it at all levels.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I am not questioning you. I am just curious as to how ti saves time. If it does, I'd be in favor of implementing it at all levels.

Kind of fuzzy on the conversation/details because I really didn't care, but I believe it's intended to get the players lined up quicker.

I want to say it was part of a package of changes that were made to speed up the game.

I work a Pro-Am every summer that uses NBA rules, and we are expected to know the rules and mechanics no matter what level we work normally.

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[LRZ]

If "at all levels," you mean sub-varsity, not just NCAA, NFHS and FIBA, I doubt it would save time in 2-ref sub-varsity games.

In the old days, with two officials, the T would step into the lane with the ball, announce the number of shots, turn and hand the ball to the shooter, then step out and back. If I recall correctly, it was precisely to speed things up that the mechanic was changed to have the L administer FTs.

Why must 2-ref and 3-ref systems have the same mechanic on FTs, besides some abstract notion of consistency? Refs can adapt easily enough. Besides, if you hustle, get players lined up quickly and keep the game moving, how much more time would actually be saved?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by LRZ

In the old days, with two officials, the T would step into the lane with the ball, announce the number of shots, turn and hand the ball to the shooter, then step out and back.

LRZ has a good memory. That was a really long time ago.

And if I recall correctly, the trail official was always on the left side of the free throw shooter (Cadillac position).

[LRZ]

I think your recollection is accurate, BillyMac. In those days, we always "worked right," I think we called it: ie, as we faced the basket, with the play ahead of us, we were on the left side of the court, with the action ahead and to our right. If we had to be on the other side of the court, for a TI, perhaps, the mechanic was for the T to swing back over to the left side when he/she could, and then the L would rotate in tandem.