Do you make this call?

[RobbyinTN]

+3

Make the same call the last 3 seconds of the game as you would the first 3 seconds.

[biggravy]

+4. And I liked your answer too.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by RobbyinTN

+3

Make the same call the last 3 seconds of the game as you would the first 3 seconds.

You mean you'd call a jump ball violation at the end of a game?


But seriously (to the original topic, not Robby's statement), make the call if you've called similar plays the same way throughout the game. If similar plays have occured and you've been passing on them, don't call it now.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

...make the call if you've called similar plays the same way throughout the game. If similar plays have occured and you've been passing on them, don't call it now.

Agree with this 100%. If the coach goes back and watches the film and sees one or both teams setting the "same illegal screen" all game long WITHOUT a call, you better not call it with 3 seconds to go. On the other hand, if you have called illegal screens as they have happened all game long, then, by all means, make the call.

As Snaqs pointed out earlier, an illegal screen (or two) that frees the team's best three point shooter has created a very unfair advantage for the attacking team.

But, in my opinion, consistency is the key -- during the game. Don't decide to start reading certain parts of the rule book more closely with three seconds left.

Personally, I don't think that there is a "safe side" for us in these situations (that's why we make the big bucks -- except in Louisiana, of course). If we MAKE the call, the offending team's coach is livid. If we DON'T make the call, the defending coach is chewing on us for allowing the illegal activity that may lead to the game-tying/game-winning shot.

Conventional wisdom says it takes more "guts" to make ANY call than it does to not make ANY call. At the end of the day, the outcome is the same. Approximately 50% of the coaches are going to be livid and the other half very happy REGARDLESS which direction we go with our call or no call.

Bottom line: BE CONSISTENT with the call. If you are, the 50% who are livid with you at game's end can look at the tape later and see that the call has been made earlier in the game.

[BillyMac]

The only thing that I do differently at the end of a close game is keep a sharp eye on the clock. I will also have miniconferences during timeouts with my partner, and try to be more aware of coaches requesting timeouts. I may also be watching for fouls to stop the clock. Otherwise, I'm calling the last minute the same as the first minute.