A free throw air ball is an ugly thang. It happens more in rec league youngsters, but I've seen Shaq and Big Ben do it in the NBA.

This has been answered before but the rule 9-1-3 that seems to cover this situation has the interpretation somewhat buried in the semantics.

What are the signals and mechanics for this violation?

What if the ball touches only the backboard not the rim?

What would be a good vocal explanation in a gym full of parents who presumably know less about this that I?

Whistle, arm up, open hand. Perhaps point to the rim.


Same as above.

I always say loudly, "Violation. No rim!" Doesn't seem as humiliating as it would if I yelled "Aiiiiiiiirrrrrrrr Baaaaaaaalllllll!" :)

I agree too with the following -

1. Whistle
2. Arm up with an open hand
3. Yell, Voilation no rim and point the opposite direction.

I have seen some hold up one finger and twirl it around in a circle, but I have been told not to do that....it means reset the shot clock in college or something like that.

I'd drive a long way to hear you do this! as long as it wasn't 7th grade girls, who would run crying to the lockerrooms before you had it all out. But then you don't do those games do you?

In terms of signaling, I've seen (and done) the unofficial signal of index finger pointing up and making a small circle two or three times. I think it's better communication than pointing to the rim, especially at the lower levels. I know it's not legal, though.

Seen a lot of guys point to the rim and make a circular motion with their hand.

No verbal needed.

Whistle. Point downcourt, where we're going. Point to the endline by the basket, where the spot's gonna be. Spit out the whistle, jog down to your new position. Pretty much all you need to do.

better idea
 

go over to the coach and tell him to make his kids work on free-throws... i ref a rec league and this happens all the time.... i just blow the whistle, point at the rim, say no rim, and take the ball out