We've got a guy in our noon pickup game that has a strange shooting technique. He picks up his right foot with the ball overhead (picture Ralph Macchio doing the Crane in Karate Kid), and hoists away. One day he did this while straddling the 3-point line, right foot inside, left foot behind. He insists that it was a 3-pointer, since his only contact with the court was behind the arc. Others say that his shooting motion begins with the lifting of the foot. Any thoughts?

That's 3.

Agree!

It's a 3. Did he learn to shoot watching Hoosiers?

OK, then what if he's straddling the line, lifts the inside foot, and then jumps off his other foot?

where was his last location before leaving the court???

3 points scored...

3 IF...
... his "inside" foot leaves the floor before the ball leaves his hand or hands. If he's still touching the floor inside the arc when the shot leaves, it's a 2.

Ok, maybe I'm feelin' augumentative tonight, but are you saying as long as player has jumped up in the air, and one of his feet was behind the arc when he jumped (even if the other wasn't), then it's a 3?

Nope. Saying the opposite. If one of his feet was touching inside the arc, it's a two. I forgot the detail about jumping. If both feet leave the floor at about the same time, and one it touching inside the arc, it's a 2.

If the front foot leaves the floor, and then the shot is taken, it's a 3? I'm having a hard time picturing this. The jumping part makes it more complicated. I suppose someone could start to swing the front foot back, jump off one foot, and hit the shot. Doesn't seem too likely...

It's called a fade away...would be difficult from 3-point distance but a strong player could do it.

Ok, in the light of day, I agree. I was trying to watch the baseball game last night, and my Evil Empire hat kept slipping down over my face...it wasn't a pretty sight.

But, if the inside foot clearly comes up first, then the jump is off the back (outside) foot, I would call that a 3. But it just seems hard to picture someone actually shooting like that.

Thanks for augmenting the discussion. (def:making something greater in size)

I can't argue with that.

Sigh...it's good to see Mr. Grammar/Spelling Guy has a capable assistant.

I told you I was having trouble with that damn hat... :)

2 points or 3?
 

Thanks for the input. More food for thought. Rule 4, Section 67, Article of the 2006 NCAA Rulebook states that "The try shall start when the player begins the movement that habitually precedes the release of the ball on the try." The question seems to be whether lifting his foot would be part of the movement leading toward release. He always shoots this way, whether from inside or outside the arc.

With that in mind, any further thoughts. A couple of Bens are riding on the answer.

Aside to Rainmaker and M&M Guy, you wouldn't believe the shot, 'cause I've seen it and I don't believe it.

I hope these references help

Rule 5 Sec 2 Art 1
A successful try, tap or thrown ball from the field by a player is located behind the team's own 19-foot, 9-inch arc counts three points. A ball that touches the floor, a teammate inside the arc, an official, or any other goal from the field counts two points for the team whose basket the ball is thrown. See 4-5-4

So it does not matter if you consider it a shot or not!

To assist with player location:

Rule 4 Sec 35 Art 1
The location of a player or nonplayer is determined by where the player is touching the floor.

Rule 4 Sec 35 Art 3
The location of an airborne player with reference to the three factors of Article 1 is the same as at the time such player was last in contact with the floor or an extension of the floor, such as a bleacher.

[Edited by joseph2493 on Oct 13th, 2005 at 03:01 PM]