I'm a football official and I was discussing basketball with some basketball officials and a thought came to my mind that I just thought I'd throw out there and see what you have to say about it. I'm sure some may have already thought of it anyway.

What if there were flags in basketball like there are in football? How would that change the game? Would it even be possible to do so? I suppose the only way you could do it is if you made it so that you had 4 tries (or plays) to make a basket.

I know this is kinda off the wall, but any thoughts?

Sheez, Simbio, life isn't already complicated enough!?!?

It's a different game. In football, you have a built in pause after each play to get ready for the next play. This allows the officials time to figure out what happened and how to enforce any penalty.

If you threw a flag in a basketball game, it might be another five minutes of playing time before a stop in play.

I've always been intrigued by ice hockey's use of a delayed penalty where the referee raises his hand to indicate that something has happened, but we are going wait until the play is complete to do anything about it. Something like that may be applicable to basketball.

And, ...what if a touchdown required putting a ball in an 18" box?

You have waaaaaayyyyyy too much time on your hands.
 

There is no need for a flag, we do not mark yardage off based on where we put the flag. And the flag never stops play, you whistle does in football. Just a guess, maybe that is why no other sport I can think about you needs a flag but football. ;)

Peace

Andy: Remember in hockey, the call is delayed in case the offensive team scores. If they do, the penalty is ignored and all the others get out of jail (I think). Basketball has too much scoring for this concept, but it would be interesting to try it out. Something tells me this would contribute to unnecessary rough play.

I'm with Rainmaker; keep it simple (ha!)

Hey I told you it was an off the wall idea. I suppose it wouldn't be practical or possible to have flags. Which brings up another question:

What major change WOULD you like to see happen to basketball?

I do like the idea of having to put the ball in a 18" goal though. I think that'd make football even more exciting....

Delayed Penalty
 

We do have one in basketball. Defensive lane violation on a free throw.

Re: Delayed Penalty
 

Make it 2 if you include the withheld T. (10.4.1-C).


In addition, many officials will use some form of advantage/disadvantage in basketball, and we're often told to have a slow whistle rather than a fast one.

Mick,

Do you remember the movie entitled "Rollerball", starring James Caan? It was pretty much what you're suggesting here except they did it on roller skates. I thought it was a sport that would really take off. Sure, it was a little violent but what the heck. Pain builds character.

:)
Yeah, Barry,
I remember seeing Rollerball.
The plot was somehow forgettable.
mick

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:)
Yeah, Barry,
I remember seeing Rollerball.
The plot was somehow forgettable.
mick [/B][/QUOTE]

:confused: Plot??? There was supposed to be a plot?

Man, I miss out on everything.

How about making football more exciting by putting all of the coaches in a 14 foot box?

Simbio, I think you should take some of your ideas and make up a new sport. Keeping the sports unique makes athletes specialize and gives opportunities for others who wouldn't otherwise be involved. All football players can't shoot a jumper but they can block good enough to go pro. Look at the size of linemen. These are athletes that are out of shape.

As far as changing basketball, I think the rules committee does a pretty good job of making the rules make sense. There aren't a whole lot of obscure rules like you can't jump using a teamate to block a field goal or forward throwing motion. None that I can think of at least.

You ever see one of those big lineman sprint to block downfield? A lot of those guys can MOVE! If I were 330 pounds, I'd be hard pressed to walk. But those guys, as big as they are, can still bust it downfield.

None? ;)

None like there are in football that I can think of? Which ones are there? If you bring them up it can only help.

Assisting/carrying a teammate ....