Camp Wisdom: "Be sure to call...."

[Richard Ogg]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hawks Coach:
I agree with the general gist of Richard's post, but I believe that the second half is a bad time to begin to focus on hand checks. ...

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Actually, the hand check was just an example of a type of call to focus on. The original post indicated "illegal screens" and "shooting fouls", which was the advice passed to me.

As for the hand check, I prefer to get one of those in the first minute or so of the game. (Rarely do guards not hand check until one is called.) I also try to catch it both ways (1 each), although I've had a team benefit from the first call and then not commit that foul themselves, so, only one call. But, everyone understands they're playing defense with their feet -- not with their hands.

I agree, coach, the second half is not the time to "introduce" the hand-check foul.

Funny how players seem to learn better in the first couple of minutes of play. Call it then, and they clean it up. Call it later, and it will take several calls for them to get the message.