The Playoffs have begun!

[A Pennsylvania Coach]

Originally posted by Forksref
When I was coaching, if we were up by 3 with less than 10 sec to go, I'd have my kids foul. Therefore, there was no miracle shot. In order to tie the game the opponent would have to : (1) make 1 FT, (2) miss the 2nd, (3)get the rebound which now is harder to do since they can't move until the rim is hit and only 2 Offensive players are allowed in the lane, (4)put in a shot. Compare that with the "Hail Mary" shots that we see go in more frequently. Actually, there aren't that many miracle shots. Most times they get a good "look" at the basket.

I always wondered why more coaches don't do this.

I'm with you, but my cutoff was less than 10 seconds. I saw an ACC team lose in regulation last season doing this with 14 seconds left. (UVa and Ga Tech, I think.)

I'd have to be at :05 or less to do this, and even then, I was worried that'd be the one time someone actually called an "intentional" foul intentional, and we'd end up losing on a pair of made FTs and a two-pointer after they got the ball back.

One time when we tried it, we only had five team fouls with :08 left. So I wanted to give two of them, figuring by the second one it'd be the final seconds. We got #6 with :05 left. Then, one of my players was late committing #7 and got it in the act of shooting a three with :01 left, the shot darn near went in (in-and-out), and the girl hit all three to force OT. Luckily we pulled it out in OT.

Oh, and I completely disagree (and could back it up with stats) that it is harder for the offense to rebound missed FTs now. It is far easier, because the defense can't box out, and the players below the blocks are at a poor angle to rebound a shot from the FT line.