If I could change one rule, it would be....

[Pantherdreams]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Yep. If teams can recruit / draft, then the shot clock makes some sense.

If you have to play with whatever kids are in your district, then you should be able to do what it takes to keep the game close / give your team the best chance to win. And, if that's playing for a low-scoring game, so be it.

I'd rather see a rule to the effect that, if a team pulls the ball out, and if the other team let's them, the coaches must get together and agree on a time put on the clock. Adjust the clock down, and re-start. No sense just standing around while the clock goes down from 6:00 to 1:00. If both teams agree, then put 1:00 on the clock and go.

(and, yes, I know there's the rule that the game can be shortened if both coaches and the R agree. So, what I think we really need is a process / mechanic to make this happen, rather than a rules change.)

I think that all games above mini or maybe middle school depending on the ages of kids involved should have shot clocks. As an official it is a hassle and something you have to keep in mind, but as an ambassador of the sport of basketball I think anything that helps improve the skill of all the players/coaches involved it is a must:

the LLaBB: HOW THE SHOT CLOCK IMPROVES PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Fair enough, Billy. How about, in their eyes, "fouling without making any effort to go for the ball is part of the game?"

Most "fans" don't have a clue about the difference between a common foul and intentional foul.....along with a whole bunch of other rules we discussed here many times.

As BillyMac said, fouling is an accepted part of late game strategy. IMHO, it is the responsibility of the officials to make sure it doesn't get out of hand, and for that to happen we need to do two things:
1. Be aware of the situation and when you know they're trying to foul, call the foul immediately, even something that we might normally pass on - don't wait and let the contact escalate.
2. Don't hesitate to call the intentional foul when it occurs - make it clear that there is a right way and wrong way to implement this strategy, and the officials are going to enforce it.

If we, as officials, are uniformly consistent on this, the coaches will be forced to teach their players the right way if they want to use this strategy, and it won't be an issue.

-----

On the subject of shot clocks, I believe that cost is a factor. Schools all over this region are facing huge budget shortfalls and having to make cuts. Another is the ability to get enough table crew together to run them for early games, particularly the sub-varsity ones. Some schools have trouble getting just a scorekeeper and game clock operator. I don't think it's much of an issue for the officials. The End of the Trail tournaments here use them along with a modified version of NCAAW rules, and I don't know any officials that have had a problem making the adjustments.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Or, they think that fouling is "part of the game" (cringe), and calling an intentional is ruining that part of that game.

It is part of the game. The NFHS has said so. If the players foul in the right way, whether they intend to foul or not, it doesn't matter.

An intentional foul should pretty much call itself and the official should be prepared to step up and make the call when it happens.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

1. Be aware of the situation and when you know they're trying to foul, call the foul immediately, even something that we might normally pass on - don't wait and let the contact escalate.

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul. I've seen official pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? HERE'S a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

On the subject of shot clocks, I don't know any officials that have had a problem making the adjustments.

Now you know one, me. Here in my little corner of Connecticut, we use shot clocks only for prep schools, boys and girls, only for varsity games (no freshman (thirds) or junior varsity). I'm a 100% NFHS official, I know more about rocket science, and brain surgery, than I do about NCAA rules.

I only see a shot clock about once, or twice, each season. I always hope that my partner is an NCAA trained official, and/or that the table is well trained in shot clock rules, and interpretations.

I kind of know the rules, our interpreter provides a shot clock rule sheet for us. My partner and I go over this sheet during our pregame, but this nothing like experience to really understand shot clock rules, and interpretations. It's tough to get this experience working only a few shot clock games each season.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I know more about rocket science, and brain surgery, than I do about NCAA rules.

In the words of the Immortal Dave, when explaining a rule interp to a coach, "Hey, it's not rocket surgery".

Now the good news - Dave has come back to our local kids rec league this year. I can't wait to get some games with him. He left us for about four years, but couldn't resist our game fee increase this season, especially since he lives right in town here.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul. I've seen official pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? HERE'S a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

I understand your point, Rich, but isn't it wrong to reward an offending team for an illegal act?

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by bainsey

I understand your point, Rich, but isn't it wrong to reward an offending team for an illegal act?

How are they being rewarded? The opponent is sent to the FT line with a chance to score.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by bktballref

how are they being rewarded? The opponent is sent to the ft line with a chance to score.

+1

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I've seen officials pass, pass, pass, and then the defense says, "That's not a foul? Here's a foul." And then all hell breaks loose.

Stoopid rookie officials.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

How are they being rewarded? The opponent is sent to the FT line with a chance to score.

...with the clock stopped.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by Larks

1) Drop 30s and fulls and go with five 45s

2) Go to two 16-min halves

It's what we play in our state....it's great. Two less times that you have to deal with end of quarter, dead ball/bench personnel T's and A/P throw-in situations.

[Rich]

This article, written by a clearly intelligent official, describes my thoughts on the subject quite well. I'm glad the person who posted this to their officiating website stole it, cause I'm not sure I would've found it otherwise:

http://www.gpboa.org/Articles/Watching%20Works.pdf

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bainsey

...with the clock stopped.

Until this is something that the NFHS/NCAA comes out and specifically says they want to change, I don't see the point of anyone, especially officials, tilting at windmills.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Bingo. If a team WANTS a foul, GIVE them the foul.

I agree, but there are limits. I've seen a player literally reach out and grab his opponent's jersey with 2 fingers, then look at me expectantly. That's intentional or nothing, usually nothing.