Disconcerting Thrower

[mbyron]

Had a situation in a game last night: A1 shooting free throws, and B1 in the lane claps and says "I got shooter, I got shooter" just as he throws.

Rule 9.1.5 says: "No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower." I'm taking "disconcert" to be a "success term": the opponent has failed to disconcert if the free throw is good.

As it happened, the player (B1) did this twice, and the shooters made both shots. I signaled "delayed dead," but did not blow the whistle after the shot went in. I warned my partner, but said nothing to the player.

Question: did I handle this correctly?

I thought about warning the player, but maybe getting called for the violation would make a bigger impression. Frosh boys game, if that makes a difference.

[Ignats75]

I'm a talker to players during games.

If I am administering the free throw, I would walk up to the player. bring the ball to my mouth to have a conspiratorial tone to my voice and tell him to knock it off, that his coach wouldn't like it if the shooter got another chance.

If I am the trail, I probably wouldn't get involved as that is more my partners area of responsibility.

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Had a situation in a game last night: A1 shooting free throws, and B1 in the lane claps and says "I got shooter, I got shooter" just as he throws.

Rule 9.1.5 says: "No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower." I'm taking "disconcert" to be a "success term": the opponent has failed to disconcert if the free throw is good.

As it happened, the player (B1) did this twice, and the shooters made both shots. I signaled "delayed dead," but did not blow the whistle after the shot went in. I warned my partner, but said nothing to the player.

Question: did I handle this correctly?

I thought about warning the player, but maybe getting called for the violation would make a bigger impression. Frosh boys game, if that makes a difference.

Yes, your delayed lane violation was correct. I probably wouldn't warn the player either.

[Junker]

I don't have a problem with the way you handled it. Personally I would have talked to the player, but that's just me. Nice job.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Junker

Personally I would have talked to the player, but that's just me. Nice job.

Me too........

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Me too........

Me three..... I had a situation in a JV game a couple weeks ago. Small crowd and the defender in the top spot was chattering loudly with somebody in the stands. It was a blatantly obvious attempt to disconcert the shooter. Next dead ball I talked to him. Next free throw, the guy in the stands starts up again, and the defender gives him the old finger-over-the-lips shush sign. Solved the problem without having to call anything.

[bigdogrunnin]

Me four . . . I am talking to players all the time during the game. "Get out of the lane," "don't reach," "hands off," etc. Saves my lungs, and keeps the game flowing. If I can talk a kid out of a penalty before it creates an advantage/disadvantage situation, I usually try to do that. Does it always work, no.

By the way, nice job handling your situation. Just right.

[mbyron]

Thanks, everyone. I like to talk to 'em too: next time I'll say something.

[IREFU2]

I usually tell everyone quiet on the set before I even release the ball to the thrower. I usually get a ton of laughs behind it, but they understand. If they keep talking and the thrower misses the shot, then award him another one. They will get the picture either way.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

I usually tell everyone quiet on the set before I even release the ball to the thrower.

Are you saying that you don't allow anyone on the lane to even talk during a FT? I think there is certainly a difference between talking and disconcertion. If someone was talking to or at the FT shooter then yes. But talking across the lane and working out strategy or encouraging a teammate unless it is blatantly an attempt at disconcertion is nothing (nothing being said and just as shooter starts motion would be blatant). It turns out most players are quiet, but a quick I've got 32 or let's get this rebound is something I've heard over time.

[Ignats75]

You can tell, by using your judgement, when its a legitmate communication and when its an attempt to disconcert the shooter. Timing, inflection, volume.