Thoughts on a loose ball/3 seconds call?
 

Sit: Team A ball. Entry pass thrown into post player in the lane. She fumbles it. Ball is on the floor. Its squirting around. Nobody gets control. "3 seconds" begins to be heard. Maybe the post player gets it while she is on her back in the lane. Tries to pass out. Ball is batted and again is squirting around. Now the chorus of "3 seconds" is EVERYWHERE.

Art. 1... A player shall not remain for three seconds in that part of his/her free-throw lane between the end line and the farther edge of the free-throw line while the ball is in control of his/her team in his/her frontcourt.

My training was that 3 seconds should be ignored/avoided unless advantage is gained.

In this situation, the rule dictates that a violation be called. Team A has team control. Player A1 (and later say, A2 and A3) are in the lane area for more than 3 seconds. I fully understand what the rule says.

What I would ask for... is what the thought process is for others when this situation occurs?

I'm calling this. I have called it; and I don't call 3 seconds often.
You gonna wait until A3 picks it up and shoots? To me, there's a clear advantage gained here (3 seconds is about the only violation I consider advantage on).

And FWIW, when I called it, there was no chorus for 3 seconds. While I usually "hear" the chorus when it erupts, I never pay attention to it.

That is the fear. A3 picks up and scores...
 

... I'm screwed for holding my whistle.

You feel Team A participating in the pursuit of the loose ball here is gaining an advantage. That helps. Would you let location affect your thinking? Say this occurs at the elbow as opposed to right in the middle of the lane close to the basket?

Wouldn't it be nothing here? Since ball squirting around would mean loss of team control? Or does team control end when the other team "gains control"? Therefore, team control remains with fumbling team? Help! :D

If the player involved has, say, just one foot in the lane during the scrum, I might not call it. Normally, however, there are going to be 2 or 3 offensive players going for the ball.

Also, the longer the scrum lasts, the more likely I am to jump in with the call. And if I don't make the call early, A will have a very short window to take a shot or get out of the lane before I make a call.

Team control continues through a loose ball until the other team secures control (or the ball becomes dead).

4-12-3 should help you out; it gives the specifics on when team control ends.

Thanks, to both you and "Cameron Rust". I'll definately take a look. I appreciate it:D

When coaches yell at me for 3 seconds, I tell the coach that I forgot what number I was on and I have to start over. The smart ones realize what I'm saying.

Gee, I wish my coaches would quit after only 3 seconds. ;)

If I call it anyway, I'll simply say, "I got it, Coach." I might add, "Some refs find it impossible to make that call when the coach is screaming for it."

If I don't, there doesn't tend to be time for a conversation.

Oooo....I've been quoted (misspelling aside)...not my words but ME! I feel so special. :p

And I see that you also corrected the spelling of "definitely". ;)

Spellchecker got it...I didn't look for it.

I apparently can't read or see straight I guess (could those coaches be RIGHT?????:eek: )

I'll make the 3-second call, but the penalty to the coach screaming for it is going to be 2 shots and the ball at the division line. :D