shoe comes off, stop play or not?

[LarryS]

How's this for an answer...Depends. I think your guideline is good.

Had one occassion where the player stayed behind and was putting the shoe back on. I set up in a manner where I could catch him in my peripheral vision so he wouldn't "surprise" me when he re-entered play. He was back in action before his team regained possession. If his team had started back at him before he was ready I was prepared to stop play.

I also had a girl lose her shoe. Other team goes into a set offense when the get into their front court. Her attempt to quickly put her shoe back on failed so she tossed it to the bench and started up court...Tweet. "Coach, I need a sub for 12."

When she sat on the bench I heard the coach say "You always lose a shoe. Now tie the stupid things where they will stay on or I'm gonna make you wear bow-biters." I almost spit my whistle out trying not to laugh.