substitution question
 

Many teams will sub for the FT shooter to get their dead ball press set upa if he makes it. They will tell the officials they are subbing for the shooter so they do not come in with other subs before the 2nd shot. Can they send a sub to the table for the shooter during a FT, and then after the FT is made have him report in for someone else instead, leaving the shooter in the game? Could I get a rules reference, as I cannot find one to support either way.

I do not need a rulebook reference to state this. When a sub goes to the table has nothing to do with anything as it relates to your question. When they are allowed to come into the game is a separate issue, which they must be beckoned anyway. If they are telling you they want to come in for the shooter, obviously they cannot complete the sub until the proper time takes place. All that is required is the sub give their number. They do not have to sub for anyone in particular or announce who they are coming in for. Rule 3-1.

Peace

So, as a coach, there is no need to wait until the official bounces the ball to the shooter before sending your sub in? You can send him up there, say he is for the shooter so they have to wait until the last FT is over, and then send him in for someone else instead?

Substitutes do not have to tell the scorer who they are substituting in for. They only have to give their number and then go in when beckoned. The provision that a sub had to tell the scorer which player was going in for was deleted from the rules in the 2001-02 year.

NFHS rule 3-3-1.

I understand that. So we have a coach who subs for the shooter every time. He could have the sub go to the table, say they are in for the shooter when the officials becken her in, letting other subs go in, and then after the FT is made send her in for someone else all game long?

Yes. Once again there is no rule that requires the sub has to state who they are going in for. If as the player is going onto the court the coach says, "Go in for #44 instead" that is perfectly legal. And as an official that really should not be something you would be overly concerned with. All you want to know is how many come into the game and how many go off. And then make sure you have the right number of players.

Peace

Thanks for clearing that up.