Free Throw Violation?
 

Here's the situation....

Men's rec league game tonight - all ex-college players who play like the wind! Great close game all the way through to the very end. Team A down 2 points shooting front end of 1 and 1 free throws with 9 seconds left on the clock. I'm the lead with the ball, signal 1 and 1 in the paint, and throw the ball to the free throw shooter. As soon as the free throw shooter touches the ball, he shoots a flat, fast free throw shot directly at the front of the rim, as to get a quick rebound. (I'm still backing out of the paint when the rebound comes straight back at him.) A defensive player stuck his hand in and got the rebound - (the free throw shooter didn't get it).

I've always been taught -(right or wrong) - that the free throw shooter had to make an "attempt" for the basket or it was a violation. This shot was not a fake nor was it in my opionion an "attempt" to make a basket. It was clearly an "attempt" to shoot the free throw quickly, throw off the defensive players, and get a quick rebound for a putback basket to tie the game.

I can't find a rule reference or casebook situation anywhereon this situation. What would be the proper call in your opinion? Violation or play on?

you are wrong in your assumption -- the only requirement is that the ball must hit the rim -- other than that you have nothing.

ball at free throwers disposal + no other violations + free thrower throwing the ball so that it touches the rim = PLAY ON

Make sure he doesn't cross the plane of the free throw line before the ball hits the rim. You do not need to read his mind...only see the ball hit the rim.

You beat me to it. Good call.

:rolleyes: If... ... then why would you look for a reason to make a call in this situation.

So what did you do?

Free Throw Violation?
 

Unfortunately, I blew it!!!! Literally!!!!! I blew the whistle, called a violation - (free throw was not a legal "attempt" at the basket with the intention of getting the rebound) - and gave the ball to Team B OOB at the post. Team B went down and scored the last 2 points. Game over with a 4 point win for Team B.

My post said - "right or wrong" that's the way I've been taught. Obviously wrong!!! Last night after the game I went home and re-read the Rule Book, The Rules by Topic Book, The Case Book, and The Official's Manual. The rule isn't there, as I now know. Thanks for the re-inforcement of the "rim" clarification. THAT BONE-HEAD CALL WON'T EVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!!!!!!

Was it NFHS rules? Because I think NCAA allows people to step in on the release, don't they? so this strategy wouldn't be as effective, as in fact it wasn't, even if you didn't blow the whistle.

FYI, Juulie, NCAA allows for the players in the marked spaces to go on the release. The shooter and all players behind the arc still have to wait for the rim.

Free Throw Violation?
 

NFHS rules. I did call the free throw shooter this morning on the phone and "ate some crow"!!!! When he answered the phone, I introduced myself as "the bone-head official who made the terrible call last night". We had a good laugh and decided that we both learned something last night from the game. Thanks for everybody's help!

wow talk about taking rec league to serious -- give it a year or two and the only time you will be calling a player will be to leave obscene messages about his inability to make an uncontested layup.

Shhhhh. Not so loud. The statute of limitations hasn't expired on some of those calls yet. ;)

Mark -- thanks for the clarification. My point was that the strategy of bouncing the ball off the rim seems pretty stupid if the defenders can step into the lane on the release. For the shooter to have to wait takes away even more of the supposed advantage. It's legal, but why bother? It's not going to help!! But if this was played under NFHS rules, then of course that's different.

Still, in the OP the defender did get the ball, so now I'm wondering if the reason we don't see more of this is because it just doesn't work?

You forgot "anonymous."

Don't beat yourself up too bad. You didn't cost anyone a possession.

The idea is that it is thrown sufficiently hard that it hits the rim and bounces back before the defense has time to move in. It usually doesn't work not because of the defense, but because it takes a perfect throw to have the ball bounce straight back to the shooter. It's really hard to hit a 1/2" curved target from 15' at precisely the right angle to get a direct return.

I'm curious, you state that these are "all ex-college players". Why in the world would the shooter intentionally miss the front end of a 1 & 1 with his team down by 2 points.??????:eek:

'cause he's a bad shooter and knows he probably won't hit two. 'cause he knows the defense is less likely to expect it on the first shot.

Free Throw Violation?
 

Beats me why he threw the ball so fast. I'm not kidding - I was still in the paint backing out when the ball hit the rim. He might have been a poor free throw shooter, might have been the other team's two 6'8" players he tried to get the jump on. (they had swatted three or four regular shots that game). That's why I love the game of basketball!!! Just when you think you've got the strategy all figured out and you expect what will happen the next play....BOOM - the most unexpected thing will happen and you just shake your head in amazement.

I've got these same two reams in games next week. I'll eat a little crow at the first of each game - (becasue by now the free throw shooter has told his whole team I blew the "attempted" free throw call. I'll take my lumps, smile, and toss up the ball for another good game!!

Expecting trouble, are you? :D

Free Throw Violation?
 

WOW.... that was most definately a Fruedian Slip!!!!! ream????

All I really expect is a little ribbing. The teams in the league actually get to pick - (recommend) - the refs from the pool who they think are the better ones. By the first travel call, they will have all forgotten anything in the past that's happened and just consider me 'just another stupid referee'!!!!