Free throw violation or not?

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Vinski

Wouldn’t the running and moving around by this zealous player be disconcerting to the shooter? That would be a violation.

Maybe, maybe not, that's a judgment call.

[Adam]

Here's why I think it doesn't happen more. A running start requires more precise timing; you need to know precisely when the shooter is going to release it. No way to do that. A "floating start" isn't so precise, as you can wait until the ball is released. You see a "floating start" occasionally. I remember Jordan did it a few times successfully.

Also, at the higher levels, the chances of the free throw being made go up, so the potential for reward is diminished. When you add the risks of a real violation, it becomes less "worth it" to try.

If they did it all the time, the opponents would adjust and make the tactic useless. Sorta like the flea flicker in football; it only works at that level if you only do it once every blue moon.

Bottom line; it's not a violation and it shouldn't be called unless you think either foot crossed the plane before the ball hits. Players off the lane have free movement within their very large area.

No, it's not disconcertion unless the shooter has eyes in the back of his head.

[Vinski]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

No, it's not disconcertion unless the shooter has eyes in the back of his head.

So if you’re at the free throw line and some guy is behind you running toward the three point line, that wouldn’t bother you? I’m certain you would be able hear him coming. Maybe if he runs tippy-toe.

[MajorCord]

I can't see any real advantage to doing this. By the time the ball hits the rim, a player who is almost 20 feet away is getting a rebound off the iron? I don't think so, unless it is a long rebound which doesn't usually happen on free throws.

[Philz]

ok...I'm going to ask my fellow refs and assigner why they call it. They got me doing it(though I didnt ask cause I didnt want to seem stupid) I thought I missed something in the rules thats why I'm glad I found this forum....I learned so much this year from this forum because I sometimes have trouble understanding the rule book. I even corrected some much more senior officials with my highlighted rule book from answers I got from here. Maybe thats why I getting a lot of assignments

thanks

[brainbrian]

I have seen it a few times at the NBA level by the offense.

I've also seen it called a violation at the NBA level for the player mistiming it and entering before the ball was released. So because it's hard to time perfectly every time, that's why I don't think it's done.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Vinski

So if you’re at the free throw line and some guy is behind you running toward the three point line, that wouldn’t bother you? I’m certain you would be able hear him coming. Maybe if he runs tippy-toe.

I don't think so. Would it bother you if he started at the three point line and ran the other way? What if he ran from the far side of the court to his bench to ask a question; horizontal with the shooter? Unless he's stomping his feet like my 6 year old, I'm highly unlikely to have anything here.