Okay now I know that the NF has a rule against players in the lane disconcerting the free thrower. Does that rule extend to that teams chearleaders? I had an elementary game (5th & 6th graders) last night and only one team had cheerleaders and they where cheering in an attempt to disconcert the free thrower. I just turned around and gave them a stop sign since it was this level and seemed unsportsmanlike in my book. Guess the question is at a JV or varsity level what would you guys do about a situation like this?

At that level, I guess you could call it. But in Varsity I wouldn't. They have certain cheers they say to make the other guy/girl miss.

The other day, the cheerleaders were lined up right on the base line and I told them when we shoot a FT, they have to move off to the side. They can still do their cheers, albeit it off to the side somewhere.

So long as they aren't using artificial noise makers, or in the key (out of bounds extended) they can do it. Why would it be different vs varsity????

No, that's not what the rule states. Any member of the opposing team, whether players or bench personnel, can disconcert.

As for cheerleaders, you overstepped your authority. You have no standing to tell the cheerleaders they can't cheer, no matter what level. You can't only prevent them from standing on the floor during a live ball.

How about this one
 

This happened last night as I watched a varsity game. Team A the home team made a run from behind to get a one point lead with seconds left. Team B takes the ball down, takes a last second shot, misses, but an A player fouls on the rebound before time expires. With 0:00 on clock, Team B takes a 1 and 1. No one on the lane. Player B makes the first one. Game tied.

After the player gets the ball for second shot, a fan gets on base line under basket waving his jacket wildly to distract the shooter. The officals gives the hold clock signal. The player misses. The offical call disconcertion and gives him another shot. He makes it and wins the game. Police escort required.

Should the ref have gotten the ball back, removed the fan, then proceeded, call a disconcertion, or do nothing and go into overtime?

Yes, the official should have stopped the play and had the fan moved, then shoot the throw.

Had this discussion last night about players raising their hands above their heads (as you would normally see) is disconcertion. According to the case book it can be called. When or would you ever call this? (I don't mean that they are waving them or clapping their hands either.)

If all they're doing is holding their hands straight up, don't call it. If they all put them up at the same moment, just as the ball is being shot, you might call it, depending. If they are leaning theirr arms forward and wiggling their fingers, or anything more than that, call it.

Up above you said I overstepped my authority by having the cheerleaders stop in what I considered an unsportmanlike act. Why would this be any different. If the fan is not on the floor would that not be the same as the cheerleaders? Would we not be overstepping our authority?

The fan can yell all he wants from the stands. He can't, however, stand under the basket on the floor waving his jacket and acting like an a$$. The cheerleaders, if cheering from a spot not behind the basket, can cheer as normal.
Player is entitled to a shot with no one guarding him, not a shot in complete silence. I'd even say if the man was in the stands behind the basket, he'd be okay.

As always, my post is not authoritative, and my opinion is open to change upon reading someone else's well reasoned argument; or upon direct orders from the wife.

If there are blechers behind the backboard and there are fans there, then that's fine.

But you don't allow a fan or anybody else to stand on the endline, under the basket and distract the shooter.

Also, I did state that this official was also wrong in his ruling, by posting what he should have done.

Guess my next question is are cheerleaders fans or an extension of the team? Are there any NF rules that state where and what cheerleaders can do and define what they are? I would think they are either associated with the team in which case I believe concertion could be called. Or else they would have to be a fan and there for the fan waiving a coat is no different than cheerleaders chearing.

Cheerleaders are not part of the team, they are organized fans. You don't allow either to stand on the endline (or directly outside it) during a free throw to disconcert a shooter. If they're cheering or waving from their spots, fine. If there are bleachers behind the hoop, and the fan stays there and waves his jacket, he's fine as long as he doesn't have an artificial noise maker. If he jumps on the floor and does it, get the ball, have the fan removed, and play on.

The rule states, "No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower."

A cheerleader is not an opponent. There's no such thing as "an extension of the team." Cheerleaders are simply advocates for their team/school. The only rule requirement is that they may not stand on the fllor and cheer during a live ball. If they are in the bleachers, you cannot stop them from cheering. Whether fans or cheerleaders, you do not allow them to stand on the endline and distract the shooter. But if it happens, it is not disconcertion.

[Edited by BktBallRef on Jan 7th, 2004 at 11:29 AM]

What rule states that you do not allow this and what is the penalty stated for breaking this rule.