Huddle with coach during free throw?
 

Just wanting opinions on this tactic.

On every two shot foul a coach always brings his four players over to his sideline while his player shoots the first free throw. The four players huddle around him with his whiteboard, then after his player shoots the free throw those four players take their spots in the FT lane.

Just curious if these de facto timeouts are legal? I'm not saying this isn't good coaching, but just seems like it's an unfair advantage because the other coach can't bring all of his players over during this time even if he wants to because, I believe, the bottom spots have to be filled even on a 2 shot foul, correct?

Just wondering, what, if anything should be done with this tactic?

Nothing, Kramer. Do nothing! As long as the players are above the FT line extended, outside the 3-pt arc, and still on the court, it is completely legal for the coach to conduct a "show and tell" with four of his players.

The opposing coach can meet with three of his players if they so choose. It isn't at all unfair. There is absolutely *zero* rule support for prohibiting this activity (aside from the players' locations I already mentioned).

No rules against it at all. As long as the team not shooting the FTs are in place on the first block. we do not care what the other players are doing. No one has to even be on the lane but 2 players. The rest can be wherever they want outside of the 3 point line and above FT line extended.

Peace

I will add that we should not delay the second FT to allow the coach to continue to talk or the players to slowly mosey (is there any other way to mosey?)back to the FT lane.

(Nor should we rush in order to play "gotcha" with the teams)

The bottom two lane spaces MUST be occupied by the DEFENSE on all common foul FT's.

So when you say "his" player is shooting (offense), only 2 of his players MAY occupy any of the empty lane spaces, not 4. If not done in a timely manner, just bounce it to the FT shooter and keep it moving.

If the D delays in occupying the lower blocks, as you may know, there are penalties for that.

Mosey Along ...
 

Legally Converse With Coaches ...
 

Not exactly the same, but similar in intent:

Things Officials Should Probably Not Be Saying In A Game

"Everybody get behind the division line”, often said by an official before free throws for a technical foul, or an intentional foul, is also not rule based. According to the rule, the nine non-shooters shall remain behind the free throw line extended, and behind the three point arc, and do not have to stay behind the division line. In some cases, this may allow players to legally converse with their coaches.

The teams can even do that any time during the game, it would not be advised outside of FTs, however.

Not saying it's the incorrect application, but what is your source for the bolded.

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The Old Adage ...
 

If it's not illegal, it's legal.

I thought you had a specific citation since you said "according to the rules" earlier in that paragraph or that you were quoting somebody or something.

Didn't realize they were your own words.

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You Don't Say ...
 

Sorry. From a seven year old article of mine that was published in IAABO Sportorials magazine.

Watched this take place one night:

Team A is shooting FTs in the first half, coach calls the other four players over during the first. B5 jogs over. He doesn't insert himself into the huddle, but looks over their shoulder and listens while Coach A is giving instructions. A12 realizes what is happening and gives B5 a small shove to push him away from the huddle. Nothing malicious, but can't say I remember if the ball was live when the shove occurred or not. B5 grins and takes a couple steps away. All this occurred with T's back to them. Could have been a bad situation.

Shouldn't Be Legal ...
 

Not during a timeout or intermission: Legal?

Unsporting?

I never say that. The players do that on their own. For the OP, if the defensive players are causing a delay by huddling, you can follow the procedure for administering a delay warning. Hopefully it does not get to the point where you have to administer a technical foul for delay.