Free Throw Violation

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by fiasco

It won't often be called, but should it? It's a clear rules violation.

I just wonder sometimes why we treat some violations as more "sacred" than others. Like stepping over the endline on a throw in. That's going to get called more often, I would think, than barely stepping over the free throw line.

I've heard several times that we should use our judgement on fouls, but violations should be black and white, as written in the rule book. Do I agree with that? I don't know. But it makes sense.

As a general statement, violations are written in the form "act ==> penalty." Fouls are written "Act + advantage ==> penalty". It's the "advantage" part that requires judgment, and that makes violations more black-and-white.

That said, I'm going to be looking more closely in certain situations. So, for your example of stepping over the end line -- if there's pressure, I'll be looking for it, and call it. If there's no pressure, I'll be looking for the next competitive match-up and likely miss (and thus not call) a "small" violation.

Since a FT is, by definition, "no pressure" (at least physically, by the defense), I'm not going to be focussing on the shooter's foot, to the nearest 2" -- I'm going to be getting ready for the rebounding action. IF I know about it, I'll try to talk to the player before the FT, and maybe even mention something to her coach before I call it.

And, frankly, I've never seen anyone at the V level do this consistently, so much of the (or my) discussion it theoretical.

[Nate1224hoops]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

As a general statement, violations are written in the form "act ==> penalty." Fouls are written "Act + advantage ==> penalty". It's the "advantage" part that requires judgment, and that makes violations more black-and-white.

That said, I'm going to be looking more closely in certain situations. So, for your example of stepping over the end line -- if there's pressure, I'll be looking for it, and call it. If there's no pressure, I'll be looking for the next competitive match-up and likely miss (and thus not call) a "small" violation.

Since a FT is, by definition, "no pressure" (at least physically, by the defense), I'm not going to be focussing on the shooter's foot, to the nearest 2" -- I'm going to be getting ready for the rebounding action. IF I know about it, I'll try to talk to the player before the FT, and maybe even mention something to her coach before I call it.

And, frankly, I've never seen anyone at the V level do this consistently, so much of the (or my) discussion it theoretical.

Bob,

Thanks for your reply.

So if I understand you correctly, in a crucial situation (say game tied 60-60 with 10 seconds on the clock) the opposing coach says, "will you watch her right foot. It lands on the line everytime." You are going to do:

A) Ignore the clear violation
B) Go tell her to watch her feet
C) Call the violation, if it occurs

Again, is it an advantage? To me, it obviously is for this particular shooter. As I posted earlier, are you going to let every other shooter in the game line up with their toes on the line.

It is the craziest thing ever. This is a 6 foot post player who is a state champion high jumper. She shouldn't have to jump....but she does!!

[Raymond]

First time I see it I'm going quietly walk up and say "you need to stay behind the line until it hits", after that I feel obligated to call it.

I believe if you call it once then the problem will take care of itself. (for that game and all your partners who have subsequent games)

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Nate1224hoops

Bob,

Thanks for your reply.

So if I understand you correctly, in a crucial situation (say game tied 60-60 with 10 seconds on the clock) the opposing coach says, "will you watch her right foot. It lands on the line everytime." You are going to do:

A) Ignore the clear violation
B) Go tell her to watch her feet
C) Call the violation, if it occurs

Again, is it an advantage? To me, it obviously is for this particular shooter. As I posted earlier, are you going to let every other shooter in the game line up with their toes on the line.

It is the craziest thing ever. This is a 6 foot post player who is a state champion high jumper. She shouldn't have to jump....but she does!!

1) If you're talking to me, I'll be the Trail. This is the center's call.

2) I hope that we as a crew have seen and addressed this earlier.

3) It might be a FT advantage, but I don't see it (as I'm envisioning the play) as a rebounding advantage.

4) "Coach, I'll look for everyone entering early, but I also need to focus on the rebounding action."

5) If I see anyone "starting" on the line, I won't administer the FT until they are behind it. That's a different play from what we are discussing.

[just another ref]

In my area, a violation like this on the shooter is one that is consistently called. Violations on the players in the lane spaces entering early, not so much.