Correctable Error

[ScottParks]

I know I blew this, but what is the right call?

Situation: A5 makes a 2 point jump shot and is fouled by B1 (foul call by partner). During the dead ball, B1 is given a T by partner for "intent in throwing the ball to official". Both fouls reported to scorer's table, we then proceed to free throw line and administer, in order, one free throw for foul shot, then two free throws for technical. A coach had A5 shoot all free throws.

Scorer calls us over to table and asks why we shot 3 free throws. I explain that 1 for foul during made basket and 2 for technicals. Partner says that he called the foul after the shot and on the floor!

A5 was awarded an additional free throw that he should not have gotten. I wrongly said this was a non-correctable error (because we had already taken additional free throws) and let it stand and explained same to both coaches.

Now, what should have been done? Wipe out the first free throw as it was awarded for the shot or the last free throw?

[rpwall]

Unsaid, but implied, is that Team A was not in the bonus and either the first or last free throw was missed and the other was made.

IMHO, I would assume that the first free throw was the unmerited one and should be wiped out if made. That is the free throw that had to be shot first and it is the one that had to be shot by A5. The last two could have been shot by someone else, so it should be clear to all that those are the 2 shots for the technical.

[Richard Ogg]

They say the best way to handle a correctable error is not to make an error in the first place. Generally, most of us don't make them on purpose, so I often dislike that trite advice. However, in this situation you can minimize the opportunity for an error by having the calling official administer the freethrows. Your partner knows what he called, and what the remedy should be.

If this doesn't work (he insist I administer the freethrows), then I review with him what I intend to do. "OK, A5 will shoot one freethrow, then someone will shoot 2 for the Technical, right?"

But error committed, what do you do? Awarding an unmerrited freethrow is correctable until the 2nd live ball (or similar - rule book not with me). I don't think "at the disposal of the freethrow shooter" applies in this case as a live ball since the clock will not be starting. (Again, my kingdom for a rule book!) Your posting implies the scorer buzzed you before the inbound from the Technical foul, so at that point I would wipe-off the first shot, live with the second two, and get the game started as fast as possible.

I'm sure Mark or Cammron or one of those guys will give us the straight scoop.

[MattRef]

You could have taken away the unmeritted free throw, as in 2.10.1b. There would have been no problem for you then. Live 'n' learn, eh?
Matt

[ScottParks]

Unsaid, but true. Neither team was in the bonus. The first 2 free throws were missed, only the last one made. The worst part of all is that the game was decided by one point.

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by parkssa
Unsaid, but true. Neither team was in the bonus. The first 2 free throws were missed, only the last one made. The worst part of all is that the game was decided by one point.

Why is that "the worst part of all?" The unmerited free-throw was missed. Had you correctly corrected the error, you would have "wiped off" a mised free-throw. Helps A5's statistics, but has nothing to do with the game.

Besides, the good news is now that you've had a correctable error, and "missed" it, you'll be so familiar with the rule, and soupset about missing it that you'll never have another one.

[Hawks Coach]

Bob, I think that Parkss' point was that had the error not been made in the first place, only 2 free throws would have been shot and two would have missed, and 1 less point scored. The error may have cost a team the game. However, it is impossible to predict what would have occurred had you not originally awarded 3 free throws, or had the score been 1 lower for A afer completion of the free throws.

But Bob is correct in pointing out that the failure to correct the error after the fact had no impact on the score, only on the free throw average of the shooter.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by Richard Ogg

But error committed, what do you do? Awarding an unmerrited freethrow is correctable until the 2nd live ball (or similar - rule book not with me). I don't think "at the disposal of the freethrow shooter" applies in this case as a live ball since the clock will not be starting. (Again, my kingdom for a rule book!) Your posting implies the scorer buzzed you before the inbound from the Technical foul, so at that point I would wipe-off the first shot, live with the second two, and get the game started as fast as possible.

I'm sure Mark or Cammron or one of those guys will give us the straight scoop.

In order to correct the first 4 correctable errors (which includes FT's), the statue of limitations is first dead ball after clock starts.

Before second live ball is for counting/cancelling a score when clock is running.

Assuming you applied the two dead ball standard (without the clock running), this would be an uncorrectable error because (6-2-1c) the ball is live when at the disposal of the shooter. We would have had error (unmerited FT), dead ball #1, T shot 1, dead ball #2, T shot 2, dead ball #3. Since the second T shot would be the second live ball, the error would have to be discovered before the ball was handed to the shooter.

[Mark Dexter]

The second part was a response to Richard Ogg, who didn't have his rulebook with him, and thought the statue was second live ball, but that the limit shouldn't count.