Free Throw Violation

[Toren]

Originally Posted by Nate1224hoops

I am a VGirls coach and I have been scouting our local district rival. They have a young lady that is really athletic and good. However, she shoots a jump shot from the free throw line.

Not sure why, but she is really distract by her feet. Right before she releases she looks down at her feet. In the games I have seen her she shoots about 78%, not bad for high school girls.

Here's the catch. Every time....I mean every time she releases she comes down on the FT line. So while at a game last night, one of our local officials who has been officiating for 20+ years, comes by to say hello. I explain to him what I have just explained to you. His relpy was, "hmm, I've never seen that before. I'll have to check." This was kind of disappointing because we have lots of young officials and I assume that if this really good official doesn't know then most of our younger guys wont either. He said he wasn't sure if on the line and over the line were different.

This got me wondering if maybe I don't know the rule. I believe this to be a FT line violation, therefore taking away any made FT and awarding a 2nd shot in a two shot foul or the opposing team the ball on the baseline for a throw in. Is this correct?

As many have said this is a violation. I think we miss it consistently because initially our focus is on the shooter and where they position themselves before the shot. As the shot goes up our focus starts to turn to rebounding action and our periphery turns to the shooter. This is why you're much more likely to see us call the violation if the shooter is standing there and they make one or two quick steps into the lane for a rebound. Our periphery tells us that is a lane violation. But a shooter who jumps and lands on the line is much less likely to be seen.

If you pointed this out early in the game, I would tell the shooter she needs to stay off the line, with my focus being directed at her for one maybe two free throws. If she violates, it's getting called. If she doesn't, she wouldn't get my directed attention again, she would get my periphery.

If you waited til the end of the game to point this out, I'm much less likely to give her my full attention. Rebounding action needs the attention at this stage of the game.

[Camron Rust]

I was forced to call a FT violation on the shooter a few weeks back in a college scrimmage. :/

1st half, 1+1 in front of the defensive team's bench......defender (maybe) goes in early on the 1st, partner calls it. I say maybe because later, my partner says he didn't really see him cross early but he was in there so fast, he must have been early. :|

So, the defensive coach (figuring we're splitting hairs), is looking directly across the FT line is claiming the shooter also crossed the line as he shoots. If he is, it is only by a small amount. I, as C, didn't step down to be even with the FT line and he may or may not have violated. We reshoot. Coach is still making his case about the FT shooter. I step a little lower to look right across the FT line. Sure enough, the kid toes the line so tightly that when he rocks up on his toes to shoot, he crosses the line...by maybe 1/2"...but across nonetheless. Not one I'd normally call but I was sort of forced to call it by the previous violation called the other way. :/

[Nate1224hoops]

Thanks for all the responses.

All the responses are understandable and acceptable. I wouldn't have a problem with any of them as a coach.

Situation reversed, you are now the coach (like me)), is this something you would point out about your district rival and a team that beat you twice last season by a combined 3 points....every point counts!!!

Thanks guys

[tref]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I was forced to call a FT violation on the shooter a few weeks back in a college scrimmage. :/

1st half, 1+1 in front of the defensive team's bench......defender (maybe) goes in early on the 1st, partner calls it. I say maybe because later, my partner says he didn't really see him cross early but he was in there so fast, he must have been early. :|

So, the defensive coach (figuring we're splitting hairs), is looking directly across the FT line is claiming the shooter also crossed the line as he shoots. If he is, it is only by a small amount. I, as C, didn't step down to be even with the FT line and he may or may not have violated. We reshoot. Coach is still making his case about the FT shooter. I step a little lower to look right across the FT line. Sure enough, the kid toes the line so tightly that when he rocks up on his toes to shoot, he crosses the line...by maybe 1/2"...but across nonetheless. Not one I'd normally call but I was sort of forced to call it by the previous violation called the other way. :/

And I believe this is why we call the obvious & let the ticky-tack go.

Originally Posted by Nate1224hoops

Situation reversed, you are now the coach (like me)), is this something you would point out about your district rival and a team that beat you twice last season by a combined 3 points....every point counts!!!

Thanks guys

Nah, I'd teach my team to play better defense & by all means, STOP fouling that particular girl. Cant make FTs if she aint living on the line...
Control what you can control!

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Nate1224hoops

But whose to say she isn't going to have a better opportunity to claim the rebound if she is already on the line.

I'll say it. There's no way she's getting a better opportunity to get the rebound by being half an inch closer to the basket. None whatsoever.

[twocentsworth]

this violation should be called everytime.....

for those of you who don't think it should be called, I have a question for you: which of the other lines on the court (and their corresponding rules/violations) should also be ignored? ....the court boundary lines?...the back-court/mid-court line?.....how about the 3pt line ---- "coach even though her toes were only touching the line a little bit, I'm still going to give her 3 points on that made shot".......

this isn't a judgement call! touching the line/passing over the line - then it's a violation! call it.

[Toren]

Originally Posted by twocentsworth

this violation should be called everytime.....

for those of you who don't think it should be called, I have a question for you: which of the other lines on the court (and their corresponding rules/violations) should also be ignored? ....the court boundary lines?...the back-court/mid-court line?.....how about the 3pt line ---- "coach even though her toes were only touching the line a little bit, I'm still going to give her 3 points on that made shot".......

this isn't a judgement call! touching the line/passing over the line - then it's a violation! call it.

Not sure anybody said don't call it.