Switch, switch, switch…Who gets the desired match-up?
 

A long-time officiating friend of mine had an unusual situation occur in a game last night, so he called and asked my opinion. I now pass this along to the forum.

A1 is fouled and is awarded 1&1 FTs. B2 & B3 occupy the bottom lane spaces nearest the basket. Coach A instructs A2 to occupy the space next to B2 and A3 to take the one next to B3. Hearing this, Coach B tells his players to switch spots. Of course, the two players from Team A then follow those players across the lane.
Each team is striving to achieve the rebounding match-up which it desires. The question is how to settle this. Which team gets what it wants? Does one team have to occupy the lane spaces first and then allow the other to set up as desired? We obviously can’t permit endless switching across the lane.

I gave my friend my opinion on this, but am interested to hear the thoughts of others.

Note: MLB recently created a rule for when a switch-hitter faces an ambidextrous pitcher. This seems to be the basketball equivalent.

After they switch the first time, I am bouncing the ball to the shooter. Then I'm calling a violation on the first team that violates the free throw provisions.

The way that my friend described the situation, following the initial instructions from the coaches all four of the players moved into the middle of the lane and remained there while attempting to decide who would go where.

It's come up before, and it's not covered by rule So, almost anything is allowed under 2-3.

For me, I make B (the lower blocks) choose first, then I let A choose, then I let the upper blocks for B choose and off we go.

Please explain your rationale for doing it that way.

Without reading anybody else's responses, my position is the defense gets the last choice.

The offense is shooting free throws and defense gets the opportunity to match up.

That's how I look at it. It's not written in some manual somewhere. But a decision has to be made on the court. And you at least have to have some reason for your decision that can make some kind of sense when you explain it to a coach or your supervisor.

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B gets the advantage of the lower blocks, so they need to choose first.

I also see and understand Raymond's way and rationale. :shrug:

In baseball, the pitcher (defense) must choose.

Due to the fact that the two lower blocks must be occupied by the defense, they must choose. The advantage is already in the favor of the D.

easy solution
 

I'm making the kids play rock-paper-scissors to see who gets to pick their spot last.

Closure ...
 

Yes it has, with little closure.

No Thanks ...
 

Too complicated. Immediate violation? Delayed violation? Simultaneous violations? Defense caused offense to violate? Ignore some violations? Cancel score? Give a additional try? Alternating possession arrow? Possibly involving four players, all in the lead's primary coverage area?

If it happens it happens, but I'm not allowing (or encouraging) this to happen if I can somehow prevent it from happening.

Had a middle school player yesterday standing next to me as trail on a free throw line up on the three point line like she was about to start the fifty yard dash. Told her to wait for the '"hit". She didn't listen (or didn't understand) and left early.

Ordered Procedure ...
 

My ordered procedure would be: One side, first lane space, second lane space. Move to other side, first lane space, second lane space.

No citation other than 2-3.

Also like this:

Not something I have ever thought about that deep. I allow the players some reasonable time to get where they want to and if they kept switching, I just would not allow it if it delayed the FT attempt much longer.

Not sure I am aware of any specific application because this almost never is an issue. Or I have yet to have an issue with this.

Peace