Reports but Doesn't Enter

[Rick Durkee]

MJT posted a question about a team member reporting to substitute for a player shooting a free throw and then replacing a different player after a made shot. All seemed to agree that this was permissible.

What if, after the made free throw, the horn sounds for the substitution but the team member does not enter when beckoned and returns to the bench? I don't see any rule that makes it illegal. Is there a rule that would prohibit this "strategy"? If the rules do not specifically prohibit the practice, it seems to me that an official could be justified to rule an unsporting technical for multiple occurrences. What say you all?

[JRutledge]

It is nothing, leave it alone. This happens from time to time because something takes place on the court where the coach does not want to make a sub. Do not call an unsporting T on anyone for this. As long as the player goes back to the bench, leave it alone. The only think I would say is not to just let a player sit at the table with absolutely no intention on coming into the game. But that is something you can solve by just telling the player to go back to the bench. Do not give a T for something you cannot support in anyway by the rules as it relates to this issue.

Peace

[Terrapins Fan]

I have had this happen, no problem.

I agree with JRutledge let it go.

[Adam]

I can see how a coach might try this; but until we get direction from either the state or the NFHS (or possibly my local association, but I don't see them doing it without the state being behind it), it would be a legitimate tactic.

[JugglingReferee]

Are you saying that there is no possibility of this tactic being used to make a travesty of the game?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Are you saying that there is no possibility of this tactic being used to make a travesty of the game?

Anything is possible, but that is a stretch. Until this starts happening, I would not even worry about it. And I really do not know why a coach would even want to do this as an arranged tactic.

Peace